Vodka Dosing?

[BrittanyG]

Hi there, the search engine is down..can someone link me to a good thread on this? I'm interested in learning more.

[rxonco]

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php

[BrittanyG]

Thank you, very interesting.

[rayn]

Very good read. Was wondering about it myself.

[rxonco]

You're more than welcome. Good luck with it.

[westreef]

Thanks, great idea, I will start feeding my reef and myself with volka -- one for me and one for you. Win win situation and a happy family.

[GCI]

Excellent article! I noticed the dosage is miniscule. Are there any chemists/pharmacists out there [or any knowledgeable person for that matter] that can convert the small ml/cc dose to drops? All I remember is that 5cc = 1 tsp.

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally Posted by GCI

Excellent article! I noticed the dosage is miniscule. Are there any chemists/pharmacists out there [or any knowledgeable person for that matter] that can convert the small ml/cc dose to drops? All I remember is that 5cc = 1 tsp.

It's hard to say, every pipette or dropper is going to allow a different size drop, so it will be different.


I've been dosing vodka for 2 years now and think it's the next best thing to slice bread. The only thing I can add (from experience) is that when you get to your maintenance dose to cut back a little bit more than recommended because too much vodka usually promotes cyanobacteria.

[GCI]

Point very well taken! As the owner of a 110gal tank my dosing would be quite small and your caveat regarding overdosing is important. I'll have to do some calibrating on my own.

[Pufferpunk]

I prefer vitamin C dosing myself. Not nearly as dangerous to your system as vodka can be. Also regrows collagen in the cells, for lots of great results.

[Mavrk]

Originally Posted by Pufferpunk

I prefer vitamin C dosing myself. Not nearly as dangerous to your system as vodka can be. Also regrows collagen in the cells, for lots of great results.

Haven't heard of this one. I'll have to do a search on it. My N/P is low without any dosing, but it is always nice to be able to suggest something to others.

[rayn]

Originally Posted by Pufferpunk

I prefer vitamin C dosing myself. Not nearly as dangerous to your system as vodka can be. Also regrows collagen in the cells, for lots of great results.

Haven't heard of this either. Care to elaborate?

[marinelife]

What salt are you using? I am still not understanding the issue that causes people to want to do this. I think finding the problem causing the algae would be better than adding more to the tank.

[rayn]

I don't think vodka kills the algea as much as it helps control the nitrates and phosphate. These are the two main reasons imo for HA. I am battleing these two in my 55 and have almost since day one. 10 gal water change weekly or if I miss a twenty the next. But salt is the instant ocean or their reef crystals.

[Pufferpunk]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1252294


VITAMIN C DOSING CHART
Here are the directions:
Use this product:
http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=10178&at=0
$5 off coupon code: LUL789


To figure out how much to use, decide if you want to simply improve coral growth, spread, and color. If so, then you should dose around 5 ppm twice daily (down to 2-3 ppm works also). If you are having problems with coral or fish health, dose up to around 30 ppm twice daily.

Calculate the total net number of gallons in your tank (minus rocks, sand, etc). Enter that number here ______.

You will now need to do a little math. The amounts below are for 100 gallons of water so if you have 50 net gallons, cut the amounts shown below in half etc.

Dosing amounts using Iherb product:
1/4 tsp=1112 mg.

For every 100 gallons:

5 ppm ----- 1892 mg VC
10 ppm ---- 3785 mg VC
15 ppm ---- 5677 mg VC
20 ppm ---- 7570 mg VC
25 ppm ---- 9462 mg VC
30 ppm ---- 11355 mg VC

After you have figured out how much you want to dose at each dosing, enter that number here _____. This is your dose to be used twice a day.

Notes:
*Be sure your pH and alk are within normal reef limits before starting. Adjust if needed. Monitor weekly.
*Shoot for a ppm of around 5 or lower if only dosing for improved coral growth, coloration, and spread, also for better health/coloration of your fish. Shoot for higher amounts up to 30 ppm if you are having melting zoas or closed zoas and look for the causes of your problems as you dose. Higher doses of as much as 100ppm (for about 2 weeks) for fish illness. Check for high nitrates, pests, zoa pox, predators, and unstable water conditions.
*Dose low amounts and increase the amount slowly over the course of a few days to a couple weeks.
* If you notice an algae bloom (white stringy stuff) or increased scum on your glass then cut back by half until it disappears.
* Watch your skimmer, it will start to skim more.
* Dose the amount twice a day in a fast moving area of your sump or overflow. You may dilute the vitamin c in ro/di water then pour into overflow. If adding to sump, try and add the vitamin c after filtration such as skimmers and reactors. *Keep your Vitamin C bottle in the refrigerator.
* The instructions in this guide and throughout this thread are based on using pure Sodium Ascorbate, not vitamin c pills and other non-buffered forms of vitamin c.

Be sure to take some "before" pics!

[rayn]

Thank you. I'll be looking into that more.

[Pufferpunk]

I have used VC to get rid of nitrite/phosphate. I have used it to cure zoapox & for curing HLLE & also crypt. It's the best thing I've ever found for repair, growth & color.

[fatdaddy]

Originally Posted by GCI

Excellent article! I noticed the dosage is miniscule. Are there any chemists/pharmacists out there [or any knowledgeable person for that matter] that can convert the small ml/cc dose to drops? All I remember is that 5cc = 1 tsp.

I seem to remember 20 drops / ml. Most of the test kits use 5 ml test tubes, so you could test it. (btw, I don't think 5ml=tsp; tablespoon maybe).

Instead of Vodka, I add Vinegar (acetic acid) to my kalk water. It's a similar carbon dosing, cheaper, and acid has the advantage of dissolving more calcium into the water. (I'm divorced, so I don't need an excuse to buy vodka. ).

However, most new tanks don't lack from carbon although it seems to be a favorite thread that pops up again and again.

[GCI]

Fatdaddy......There are 15ml [or cc] in 1 tablespoon; 2 tablespoons to the ounce [30ml]. Twenty drops to the cc sounds about right. I'll have to calibrate my own dropper to see if it's close! My divorces MADE me buy vodka! LOL