nitrates

alex gonzales · 12/29/2008, 09:42 PM

how do you use vodka to lower nitrates?

marioensf · 12/29/2008, 10:03 PM

That's a very delicate subject, why don't you list you system/parameters so you may get some help here.
Some people had success with it some other a catastrophe.
I was tempted to do it at some point but after reading decided not to risk my tank.
I did however installed a sulfur based de-nitrifier but it was the last thing I had on my list; it worked well for me.
You need to find the nitrate factory first and to help lower them do water changes more often. Some times a sponge filter is the cause, excess feeding or a dead spot with little or no water movement is the one responsible.
Might sound insane but my frogspawn flourished more when I had high nitrates than it does with zero, would stretch more and the color was great; now it's growth has slowed

alex gonzales · 12/29/2008, 10:09 PM

thanks for the info. actually i do have a sponge in my overflow, iguess it's there to quiet the tank.i'll take it out and see if it makes any difference.

jenglish · 12/29/2008, 11:45 PM

I take two or three shots of vodka.... drink them and then do a water change

. It lowers my nitrates every time!

singold · 12/29/2008, 11:49 PM

10% water change every week, IMO

Flipper62 · 12/30/2008, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jenglish
I take two or three shots of vodka.... drink them and then do a water change . It lowers my nitrates every time!

LMAO......YEP........But I use J D......OR just a few Beers.

Now on the serious side, Weekly water changes will keep the Nitrates down. Depending on the size of your tank you may get away with every 2 weeks. The smaller the tank, the faster things can go wrong.

IMO... Smaller water changes & more often are better then waiting a longer period of time & doing a larger water change.

Waiting longer will just let the Nitrates build up & take its toll on everything in the tank

slimy fish · 12/30/2008, 02:02 AM

Not to throw you off subject but forget the vodka dosing, it is more trouble then it is worth. The best way is to get a sulfur denitrator filter. Midwest aquatic sells them at reasonable prices. Once you dial it in, it is very low maintenance

Whys · 12/30/2008, 03:18 AM

One shot, just before the water change. I recommend an orange-juice chaser.

Guygettnby · 12/30/2008, 08:30 AM

ditch the vodka idea. people come up with the most idiotic stuff, stick to doing water changes and you will be good. if that doesnt help you out then there is something else going on in your tank that you need to fix.

Whys · 12/30/2008, 02:49 PM

I believe vodka is used for its sugars, not sure. Don't think I'd call it completely idiotic. It's a "food-safe" substance that can provide a desired reaction in the tank. How is this different from say buffering your Alkalinity? I bought the Kent product thinking it was somehow special, only to later realize it's really nothing more than baking-soda or baking-powder (can't remember which).

It's just vodka, not a slice of Velveeta. It's thought to be a safer additive than something chemical, that's all.

Just my 2Â¢. I have never used it myself. Haven't yet had any need to.

jenglish · 12/30/2008, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Whys
I believe vodka is used for its sugars, not sure.

It's just vodka, not a slice of Velveeta.

yes, in some denitrifying filters you can add either sugar water or alcohol. Its not my cup of tea and it has the potential to backfire but it works for some.

12/29/2008, 09:42 PM	#1
alex gonzales Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central Ca. Posts: 410	nitrates how do you use vodka to lower nitrates?

12/29/2008, 11:45 PM	#4
jenglish Marquis de Carabas Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Evansville, IN Posts: 2,523	I take two or three shots of vodka.... drink them and then do a water change . It lowers my nitrates every time! __________________ Jeremy Brown liquor never hurt anybody “Je n'ai pas besoin de cette hypothèse" Pierre-Simon Laplace I should want to cook him a simple meal, but I shouldn't want to cut into him, to tear the flesh, to wear the flesh, to be born unto new worlds where his flesh becomes my key. Current Tank Info: broken and dry

12/29/2008, 11:49 PM	#5
singold Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lake Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 1,827	10% water change every week, IMO __________________ "If there is no wind.....row." Current Tank Info: 75gal Reef w/29gal Refugium

12/29/2008, 10:03 PM	#2
marioensf Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 2,502	That's a very delicate subject, why don't you list you system/parameters so you may get some help here. Some people had success with it some other a catastrophe. I was tempted to do it at some point but after reading decided not to risk my tank. I did however installed a sulfur based de-nitrifier but it was the last thing I had on my list; it worked well for me. You need to find the nitrate factory first and to help lower them do water changes more often. Some times a sponge filter is the cause, excess feeding or a dead spot with little or no water movement is the one responsible. Might sound insane but my frogspawn flourished more when I had high nitrates than it does with zero, would stretch more and the color was great; now it's growth has slowed

12/29/2008, 10:09 PM	#3
alex gonzales Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central Ca. Posts: 410	thanks for the info. actually i do have a sponge in my overflow, iguess it's there to quiet the tank.i'll take it out and see if it makes any difference.

12/30/2008, 02:02 AM	#7
slimy fish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 58	Not to throw you off subject but forget the vodka dosing, it is more trouble then it is worth. The best way is to get a sulfur denitrator filter. Midwest aquatic sells them at reasonable prices. Once you dial it in, it is very low maintenance

12/30/2008, 03:18 AM	#8
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	One shot, just before the water change. I recommend an orange-juice chaser.

12/30/2008, 08:30 AM	#9
Guygettnby Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: FL Posts: 3,050	ditch the vodka idea. people come up with the most idiotic stuff, stick to doing water changes and you will be good. if that doesnt help you out then there is something else going on in your tank that you need to fix.

12/30/2008, 02:49 PM	#10
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	I believe vodka is used for its sugars, not sure. Don't think I'd call it completely idiotic. It's a "food-safe" substance that can provide a desired reaction in the tank. How is this different from say buffering your Alkalinity? I bought the Kent product thinking it was somehow special, only to later realize it's really nothing more than baking-soda or baking-powder (can't remember which). It's just vodka, not a slice of Velveeta. It's thought to be a safer additive than something chemical, that's all. Just my 2Â¢. I have never used it myself. Haven't yet had any need to.