Help with Vodka dosing.

[reefbroao]

I am new to the idea of vodka dosing but the principal seems quite clear and beneficial. if you have a link or info on how to create a regiment please let me know. Im new to the hobby but have become enthralled with SPS so water chemistry is much more important now than I have an sps heavy system. I have no problems with anything other than nitrate which is coming in around 5-10 but I know I need it lower, and my reactor seems to just keep it lower rather than eliminating the problem.


This may not be the best thread for this topic

[KMS.Kyle]

Mines at 5-10 as well... Always interested in hearing new ideas.

[CStrickland]

http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....arine-aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/

but really just read the long threads in the chemistry subforum, they are the best resource for this type of thing. There's a sticky in there with links to major threads too, maybe something there.

PS this one too
http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f6...re-171900.html

[reefbroao]

well apparently my nitrate is at 2.5 but my test kit is just super trashed I hate these API tests i follow the directions and the color matching is just so vague.


had my LFS test my water everything was different from what my tests have shown.

alk- 8.5 dosing reef fusion not sure why it dropped it was fine a week ago
nitrate- 2.5
salinity- 1.021 been trying to keep it lower
Phosphates- .05

[gone fishin]

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


You might find this of interest

[homer1475]

If your into SPS's, your going to want to bring that SG up to 1.025 - 1.026. !.021 is way to low for corals.

Not exactly sure why you would be trying to keep it lower?

[reefbroao]

well because I had a point where the salinity got super high so I tried bringing it down/ my refractometer junked out so I'm trying to get a new one soon. I have some ro/di buckets which ill be adding extra salt to 10g exactly in order to slowly raise the salinity over the next week or so.

my main reason for low salinity was to try and match my lfs levels for an easier acclimation for my wrasse and foxface when I got them. Never corrected it and that's my fault.

[CStrickland]

just top off with sw until you get on track. no need to mess with adding extra salt.

[pyithar]

you could also match the lfs water levels with your quarantine tank water instead of display water next time you buy fish.

as for carbon dosing, i've read vodka dosing could promote cyano growh. so i chose the vinegar route.

http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....arine-aquarium

that's the ^link that i followed. i've been dosing vinegar for 8 months and my nitrates is staying at zero. i've read nitrates around 5 is better for corals so i cut the dosage in half two weeks ago.

[reefbroao]

I don't have a qt right now because I just don't have the space (studio apt) But that's why I'm not getting anymore fish at least for now. Looking at houses currently so I might be looking to have a custom reef ready tank at least 90g made and use this 56 as a qt. The place im interested in has a perfect space that the lady will let me use as a reef room

[shifty51008]

Do not add extra salt to raise the sg as it can cause issues with the cal, alk, and mag. As stated before mix your sg to 1.025 and top off the tank with sw till you reach the levels you want.