Vodka Dosing - Time to Dose?

intenseimage · 03/08/2009, 12:38 AM

Is it better to dose before lights on, during lights on, or after lights on --- or does it not matter at all?

greenmonkey51 · 03/08/2009, 08:11 AM

Definitely not after the lights go off. Since oxygen levels can go down after the lights go off. I always do it when the lights are on.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 03/08/2009, 08:13 AM

It matters in that it may deplete O2 for a period after dosing, so I'd dose it when O2 is naturally highest: mid day or a bit earlier if necessary.

speedo2wet · 03/08/2009, 08:21 AM

AGREE: I usually dose in the morning or mid day of the light cycle. I can say that I have seen the coral look healthier since dosing.

spleify · 03/08/2009, 09:09 AM

I also dose about mid light cycle. I have found, at least for me, I try and dose at 6:30, that way it is easier for me to remember if I did it or not. There is nothing particular about that time, just what I picked to stick to.

HTH

Spleify

intenseimage · 03/08/2009, 10:01 AM

So since I leave for work at 7:45 am and the lights dont turn on until 10 ... and then get home around 5:30 and the lights turn off around 10 ... I guess dosing as soon as I get home would be best?

Randy Holmes-Farley · 03/08/2009, 10:34 AM

Yes, that seems best.

intenseimage · 03/08/2009, 11:36 AM

Great thanks for the help. I will be doing a 25g WC this afternoon and will do a full testing a bit after to record my baseline numbers and will then start dosing!

Randy Holmes-Farley · 03/08/2009, 01:13 PM

Good luck.

intenseimage · 03/08/2009, 01:25 PM

How has it been going for you? Are you still dosing?

Also ... I know my nitrates got this high due to heavy feeding (non-rinsed as well) and by not following the test kit instructions correctly in the first place.

Once I get the nitrates down to an unmeasurable amount, can I slowly ween the tank off the vodka and just go back to normal water changes?

I saw a post that vodka dosing can lead to "old tank syndrome" quite rapidly and wish to play it safe.

I also saw the Brightwell MicroBacter7 that is claimed to clarify water and reduce nitrates - would this be a safer approach?

Randy Holmes-Farley · 03/09/2009, 04:52 AM

I don't know what it is, so I can't comment on it, but I don't see how it would be safer.

I stopped dosing for a while out of low ORP concern, but it never changed on stopping so I restarted.

intenseimage · 03/09/2009, 06:38 AM

Its a bacteria additive similar to prodibio (biodigest i believe).

Are you at all concerned about stripping too many nutrients from the water?

03/08/2009, 12:38 AM	#1
intenseimage Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Northampton, PA Posts: 1,135	Vodka Dosing - Time to Dose? Is it better to dose before lights on, during lights on, or after lights on --- or does it not matter at all?

03/08/2009, 08:13 AM	#3
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	It matters in that it may deplete O2 for a period after dosing, so I'd dose it when O2 is naturally highest: mid day or a bit earlier if necessary. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

03/08/2009, 09:09 AM	#5
spleify Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,579	I also dose about mid light cycle. I have found, at least for me, I try and dose at 6:30, that way it is easier for me to remember if I did it or not. There is nothing particular about that time, just what I picked to stick to. HTH Spleify __________________ Make it a Great Day!!!! Current Tank Info: 60 gal SPS cube, with 25 gal refugium, 400W MH, DIY Lumenarc III, DIY skimmer, DIY stand and canopy. 40 breeder LPS with 40 gallon sump, DIY stand, 250W MH

03/08/2009, 10:34 AM	#7
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Yes, that seems best. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

03/08/2009, 01:13 PM	#9
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Good luck. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

03/08/2009, 08:11 AM	#2
greenmonkey51 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,092	Definitely not after the lights go off. Since oxygen levels can go down after the lights go off. I always do it when the lights are on.

03/08/2009, 08:21 AM	#4
speedo2wet Sharks!!!! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Apopka, Florida Posts: 478	AGREE: I usually dose in the morning or mid day of the light cycle. I can say that I have seen the coral look healthier since dosing.

03/08/2009, 10:01 AM	#6
intenseimage Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Northampton, PA Posts: 1,135	So since I leave for work at 7:45 am and the lights dont turn on until 10 ... and then get home around 5:30 and the lights turn off around 10 ... I guess dosing as soon as I get home would be best?

03/08/2009, 11:36 AM	#8
intenseimage Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Northampton, PA Posts: 1,135	Great thanks for the help. I will be doing a 25g WC this afternoon and will do a full testing a bit after to record my baseline numbers and will then start dosing!

03/08/2009, 01:25 PM	#10
intenseimage Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Northampton, PA Posts: 1,135	How has it been going for you? Are you still dosing? Also ... I know my nitrates got this high due to heavy feeding (non-rinsed as well) and by not following the test kit instructions correctly in the first place. Once I get the nitrates down to an unmeasurable amount, can I slowly ween the tank off the vodka and just go back to normal water changes? I saw a post that vodka dosing can lead to "old tank syndrome" quite rapidly and wish to play it safe. I also saw the Brightwell MicroBacter7 that is claimed to clarify water and reduce nitrates - would this be a safer approach?

03/09/2009, 04:52 AM	#11
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	I don't know what it is, so I can't comment on it, but I don't see how it would be safer. I stopped dosing for a while out of low ORP concern, but it never changed on stopping so I restarted. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

03/09/2009, 06:38 AM	#12
intenseimage Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Northampton, PA Posts: 1,135	Its a bacteria additive similar to prodibio (biodigest i believe). Are you at all concerned about stripping too many nutrients from the water?