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Vodka Dosing
- Thread starter MadReefer
- Start date
I've been carbon dosing for years....albeit a combination of vodka and vinegar (a DIY NOPOX). My suggestion is to start slow and build up to your final dose over a couple weeks. The reason is that every cell/organism can metabolize "carbon" (my PhD focused on the metabolism of alcohol in the blood....before it gets to the liver), and it could cause for unwanted stuff from blooming and overgrowing....ie cyano. As you build up to your final dose, and if you see a bloom of cyan, back off for a week or so and then try building back up.
Don't expect immediate results. You need to wait for the bacteria to grow and now get removed by your skimmer....and skimmers are highly inefficient. I'm always amused that those who start dosing carbon, and test on day two expecting to see results. Give it time.
I curse these reefers who claim their N and P numbers are so low they need to dose those nutrients. I've always struggled with high N and P and could easily sell my water change water as N and P boost, to up your nutrients.
Since dosing now becomes a daily thing, consider using a pump. I use BRS 1.1 pump to dose carbon. Brand doesn't matter as long as it's an unflavored vodka....vodka is just ethanol water, nothing else....buy the least expense you can find. It's been a year or so since I've purchased, but I think it was $12.99 or 13.99 for the 1.75 liter bottle.
Don't expect immediate results. You need to wait for the bacteria to grow and now get removed by your skimmer....and skimmers are highly inefficient. I'm always amused that those who start dosing carbon, and test on day two expecting to see results. Give it time.
I curse these reefers who claim their N and P numbers are so low they need to dose those nutrients. I've always struggled with high N and P and could easily sell my water change water as N and P boost, to up your nutrients.
Since dosing now becomes a daily thing, consider using a pump. I use BRS 1.1 pump to dose carbon. Brand doesn't matter as long as it's an unflavored vodka....vodka is just ethanol water, nothing else....buy the least expense you can find. It's been a year or so since I've purchased, but I think it was $12.99 or 13.99 for the 1.75 liter bottle.
Thanks Paul. I know it's a slow process. I am startin out with 3ml daily for the first week. Per some chart I found. I estimate total volume to be 100g. Tank 80g and sump 36g minus displacement from sand and rock.
Once I get the proper daily dose will add it to my doser.
Once I get the proper daily dose will add it to my doser.
Costco has really cheap vodka. You can get a huge bottle for $20.
Costco by me doesn't sell alcohol.
The large clubs only sell known branded booze...not the least expensive. You want the no-name rot-gut vodka.....a Travelers, Taaka, or one that actually tells you it's good....
These are THE BEST vodka's $12.99 or $13.99 you can buy....for 1.75 liters. Believe me, the bacteria won't be able to tell the difference....they don't have a pinky to stick out.
These are THE BEST vodka's $12.99 or $13.99 you can buy....for 1.75 liters. Believe me, the bacteria won't be able to tell the difference....they don't have a pinky to stick out.
motortrendz
NJRC Member
If you want to done mixture of vinigar and vodka, what would the ratio be. And do you mix them together is the dosing container or dosing separately. I started vinegar dosing about a week.and a half ago, nc I didn't have any vodka.. I always used vodka in the past with great results. So I'm curious about the blend? Any thoughts? I also found that dosing zeobak at the same time helped with bring the levels down a little quicker.
ericrodriguez
NJRC Member
I wander if by changing the filter floss 2 times per week the vodka/vinegar will not create too much bacteria. I know the skimmer helps a lot with this situation.
I do dose vodka but not much at all and I would like to increase the dosage for nutrients control
I do dose vodka but not much at all and I would like to increase the dosage for nutrients control