Vodka Plunge

[MadReefer]

I bought the cheapest kind, Poland Spring 40% proof. I should clarify I am not sure how the Alk was measured. It was part of some dip strips I had. I never paid much attention to it; just thought I would include it. My Cal was always between 400ppm and 430ppm during monthly water changes. I have been dosing Reef Plus Concentrated vitamins & amino acid supplement along with Kent Marine Strontium & Molybdenum weekly. Approximately, 5ml each.

 

[ricwilli]

Mark, how is your skimmer working now that you are dosing vodka?

 

[MadReefer]

It is crazy. Seems to be pulling more wet than dry and its a dark color. Occasionally, the cup will fill with clear water and spill back into the sump. This make the sump very foamy. Not sure why but has happened twice and I lowered the water level in the skimmer to try and prevent it.

 

[MadReefer]

Parameters on 05/25/09: Not much change. Haven't had time to purchase kits; may just order on-line.

Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 20ppm
temp - 84
Cal = 300ppm
Alk - unknown, need a new kit, ran out
PH - unknown, need a new kit, ran out
Salinity - 1.025

Will increase dosage by 0.1ml. Swapped out filter sock. Noticed some brown/green palys making a come back.

 

[blange3]

Well Mark,

Trying something new, while your calcium is way out of wack, and two major parameters are unknown and un-testable at the moment, really justifies your new screen name IMHO! ;D

 

[MadReefer]

Okay. All parameters seem normal except for 2, Calcium 300 and Nitrate 20. I will increase Kalk dose but am unsure if I should increase Vodka. I am currently dosing 0.6ml daily. Any suggestions?

 

[ricwilli]

Yes keep increasing the Vodka slowly. Be carefull with the Kalk. You shouldn't use it to raise calcium but maintain it. Use something like liquid calcium to increase it.

 

[MadReefer]

Rich,
Thanks for the reply. Now that you mention it; I was using liquid calcium and it would stay at 400/420. When I ran out I thought I could substitute with Kalk. Didn't realize it was a stabilizer.

 

[NJ_ychung1]

haha. that was funny about mark's nwe screen name... good one.

 

[asonitez]

I'm dosing Vodka 80 proof SVEDKA according to Reefcentrals guide. My water seems clear but I am getting brown diatoms. I expect the diatoms to come and go though and they seem to be subsiding. I need a clean up crew fast so I am looking forward to this group buy coming up. I only have 6 fish in my 125 and lots of rock. No corals yet.