Anyone use vodka to lower nitrates?

fishykid9212 · 03/23/2006, 08:25 PM

I've heard, adding vodka to the water will grow bacteria that will get rid of nitrates, has anyone tried it and are there any instructions on how to use it? thanks

BenH98 · 03/23/2006, 08:26 PM

I'd rather drink it then put it in my tank

But i've never heard of such a thing

itstheantitang · 03/23/2006, 08:30 PM

Aren't alcohols used as antiseptics? It could kill of the nitrogen cycle.
I'm not sure about vodka, because it is a grain alcohol.

BenH98 · 03/23/2006, 08:34 PM

That's weird that this thread just came up... lower on the page is almost the same exact question - there are a few more answers too

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=803863

der Riff-Konig · 03/23/2006, 08:35 PM

DUG THIS UP.

The "Theory" Behind Ethanol Additions to Aquariums

A German magazine recently published an article suggesting and recommending the dosing of ethanol (as vodka) to reef tanks as a carbon source for marine heterotrophic bacteria in order to increase denitrification rates and bacterial biomass production (Mrutzek and Kokott 2004). Further, they claimed that additions cause rapid declines in nitrogen and phosphorus produced by fish, invertebrates, and algal metabolism (ironic, since many aquarium invertebrates and algae are sinks, not sources, for nitrogen and phosphorus). In turn, the bacteria provide a food source for corals and other filter feeders. The method is recommended particularly for those tanks that are highly skimmed (and probably lack particulate material) and which lack sand beds. Tanks with sand beds or other sediment-based systems, they mention, react unusually and may have adverse effects to ethanol additions.

"Experiments" were performed (and I use the term experiment loosely to mean the typical uncontrolled, unreplicated, statistically insignificant sort of "let's add it, see what happens, and produce results that show how my tank never looked better" sort of trials that are often found in aquarium literature). The results showed a precipitous decline in nitrogen and phosphorus levels over approximately one month with increasing doses of vodka. The sample size for the experimental procedure was one (n=1), consisting of a single person's personal home aquarium. There were no controls in the experiment (i.e. an identical tank without vodka being added to see if there actually were results from the treatment). In fact, the sample tank received an increasing dose of vodka during the treatment, making any dosing effect impossible to determine. Additional support for the "experiment" was collected by casual replication in completely different trials in even less controlled conditions; that is, other aquarists began adding vodka and claimed similar "results."

Results of this work also showed a number of other effects. A large "bloom" occurred which clouded the test tank, an occurrence that could and often does kill tank inhabitants. It was assumed the bloom was bacterial, but no mention was made if and how the cloudiness in the tanks was determined to be bacterial. Given what I will offer below, it may also have simply been carbonate precipitation brought about by additional carbon addition and possibly microbial mediation. Having fortuitously escaped tank mortalities, the tank cleared and the authors literally state how "the tank water had never been clearer, the coral polyp extension was better, and the coral coloration was more intense." Where have I heard this before? The observed decrease in nitrate and phosphate is an interesting effect, but I will discuss this in more detail below.

BenH98 · 03/23/2006, 08:40 PM

That is very interesting! Where is the rest of it?

reefD · 03/23/2006, 08:42 PM

sounds like something to try at the start of a tanks life with NO LIVE STOCK! as mentioned above i would rather drink it and let my tank grow its bacteria the natural old fashioned way....with time and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of patience. heck you can get your water crystal clear other ways too.

der Riff-Konig · 03/23/2006, 08:44 PM

Here's the whole article.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...ture/index.php

grochmal · 03/24/2006, 03:18 PM

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1

kewliz · 03/24/2006, 03:55 PM

I always thought vodka lowered inhibitions .... not nitrates.

ufchristyb · 03/24/2006, 07:18 PM

Hmmm, seems like a waste of perfectly good vodka.

03/23/2006, 08:25 PM	#1
fishykid9212 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Southern NH Posts: 1,470	Anyone use vodka to lower nitrates? I've heard, adding vodka to the water will grow bacteria that will get rid of nitrates, has anyone tried it and are there any instructions on how to use it? thanks

03/23/2006, 08:26 PM	#2
BenH98 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 515	I'd rather drink it then put it in my tank But i've never heard of such a thing __________________ Go KINGS!!! Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon

03/23/2006, 08:30 PM	#3
itstheantitang Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 477	Aren't alcohols used as antiseptics? It could kill of the nitrogen cycle. I'm not sure about vodka, because it is a grain alcohol. __________________ Ignore the smoke and smile...

03/23/2006, 08:34 PM	#4
BenH98 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 515	That's weird that this thread just came up... lower on the page is almost the same exact question - there are a few more answers too http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=803863 __________________ Go KINGS!!! Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon

03/23/2006, 08:35 PM	#5
der Riff-Konig Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Mexico Posts: 686	DUG THIS UP. The "Theory" Behind Ethanol Additions to Aquariums A German magazine recently published an article suggesting and recommending the dosing of ethanol (as vodka) to reef tanks as a carbon source for marine heterotrophic bacteria in order to increase denitrification rates and bacterial biomass production (Mrutzek and Kokott 2004). Further, they claimed that additions cause rapid declines in nitrogen and phosphorus produced by fish, invertebrates, and algal metabolism (ironic, since many aquarium invertebrates and algae are sinks, not sources, for nitrogen and phosphorus). In turn, the bacteria provide a food source for corals and other filter feeders. The method is recommended particularly for those tanks that are highly skimmed (and probably lack particulate material) and which lack sand beds. Tanks with sand beds or other sediment-based systems, they mention, react unusually and may have adverse effects to ethanol additions. "Experiments" were performed (and I use the term experiment loosely to mean the typical uncontrolled, unreplicated, statistically insignificant sort of "let's add it, see what happens, and produce results that show how my tank never looked better" sort of trials that are often found in aquarium literature). The results showed a precipitous decline in nitrogen and phosphorus levels over approximately one month with increasing doses of vodka. The sample size for the experimental procedure was one (n=1), consisting of a single person's personal home aquarium. There were no controls in the experiment (i.e. an identical tank without vodka being added to see if there actually were results from the treatment). In fact, the sample tank received an increasing dose of vodka during the treatment, making any dosing effect impossible to determine. Additional support for the "experiment" was collected by casual replication in completely different trials in even less controlled conditions; that is, other aquarists began adding vodka and claimed similar "results." Results of this work also showed a number of other effects. A large "bloom" occurred which clouded the test tank, an occurrence that could and often does kill tank inhabitants. It was assumed the bloom was bacterial, but no mention was made if and how the cloudiness in the tanks was determined to be bacterial. Given what I will offer below, it may also have simply been carbonate precipitation brought about by additional carbon addition and possibly microbial mediation. Having fortuitously escaped tank mortalities, the tank cleared and the authors literally state how "the tank water had never been clearer, the coral polyp extension was better, and the coral coloration was more intense." Where have I heard this before? The observed decrease in nitrate and phosphate is an interesting effect, but I will discuss this in more detail below. __________________ People who think they know what they're doing are especially annoying to those of us who do. Current Tank Info: 125 with 30 sump, two 58's with 20 sumps. 55, two 30's.

03/23/2006, 08:40 PM	#6
BenH98 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 515	That is very interesting! Where is the rest of it? __________________ Go KINGS!!! Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon

03/23/2006, 08:42 PM	#7
reefD Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Schenectady,New York Posts: 4,968	sounds like something to try at the start of a tanks life with NO LIVE STOCK! as mentioned above i would rather drink it and let my tank grow its bacteria the natural old fashioned way....with time and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of patience. heck you can get your water crystal clear other ways too. __________________ DAVID Current Tank Info: it has four sides and a bottom...oh yeah and it has water in it. lol

03/23/2006, 08:44 PM	#8
der Riff-Konig Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Mexico Posts: 686	Here's the whole article. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...ture/index.php __________________ People who think they know what they're doing are especially annoying to those of us who do. Current Tank Info: 125 with 30 sump, two 58's with 20 sumps. 55, two 30's.

03/24/2006, 03:18 PM	#9
grochmal Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 647	http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1 __________________ Jeff Current Tank Info: 125 gallon bare-bottom reef, 6' Maristar light, Tunze streams, 55 gallon sump, ASM G3 skimmer, RDSB

03/24/2006, 03:55 PM	#10
kewliz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 718	I always thought vodka lowered inhibitions .... not nitrates.

03/24/2006, 07:18 PM	#11
ufchristyb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 269	Hmmm, seems like a waste of perfectly good vodka. __________________ GO GATORS! Current Tank Info: Possible future 55g unreef safe fish tank