Vodka Dose w/ New Cycling Tank

bhammer · 12/24/2009, 01:15 AM

I have done some reading on the dosing and think I'd like to do it on my new 280 I am cycling now. I cycled fishless using ammonia. The cycle has reached about midway. No more ammonia and the nitrites reached about 5 and are slowly headed down. My nitrates are on the way up.

I have a couple questions.

1. Any pros or cons to starting the dosing now during the cycle?
2. I currently run a 2LF phosban on my 115. From my reading, it looks like I would want to stop this and allow the vodka to keep PO4 in check?
3. Has anyone setup the maintenance dose with a dosing pump? Any pros or cons to this?
4. Do you have to adjust the dose based on stocking levels? I would assume so but I didn't read anything specific to it.

Genetics · 12/24/2009, 08:50 AM

1. Starting early makes it difficult to gauge the lowest dose needed. I don't know how big of an issue this is since people dose in excess without any observed issues.

2. I wouldn't modify any part of your setup until you figure out how vodka modifies your system. I could not keep my phosphates under 0.15ppm with vodka alone and had to use GFO as a supplement. It was much less than without the vodka.

3. Yes. I only had pros for this. Doses set for days without need to worry.

4. The heavier your bioload the more that will be needed. Once I found a dose that worked I would alter my feeding if it looked like my tank was light on nutrients.

HighlandReefer · 12/24/2009, 08:53 AM

The amount of a carbon source you add to your system, will be dependent on the level of nitrate. If your nitrate level is at zero, then the amount you need is usually about 1/2 of what is required to reduce your nitrate level. I would follow the directions in Genetic's article and start slowly.

Vodka Dosing...Distilled!
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...nftt/index.php

bhammer · 12/24/2009, 10:52 AM

Thanks guys. Maybe I will do some expirmenting on a new cycling tank and see how it goes. I have read that article several times. I even printed off the graph for my vodka proof..

HighlandReefer · 12/24/2009, 10:55 AM

Your welcome.

Happy Reefing

bertoni · 12/24/2009, 06:44 PM

I wouldn't start dosing while the tank is very new. The bacterial load likely is high enough as is. After the ammonia has been zero for a couple of weeks, starting might be somewhat useful.

12/24/2009, 01:15 AM	#1
bhammer Addicted User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 743	Vodka Dose w/ New Cycling Tank I have done some reading on the dosing and think I'd like to do it on my new 280 I am cycling now. I cycled fishless using ammonia. The cycle has reached about midway. No more ammonia and the nitrites reached about 5 and are slowly headed down. My nitrates are on the way up. I have a couple questions. 1. Any pros or cons to starting the dosing now during the cycle? 2. I currently run a 2LF phosban on my 115. From my reading, it looks like I would want to stop this and allow the vodka to keep PO4 in check? 3. Has anyone setup the maintenance dose with a dosing pump? Any pros or cons to this? 4. Do you have to adjust the dose based on stocking levels? I would assume so but I didn't read anything specific to it.

12/24/2009, 08:50 AM	#2
Genetics Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ontario, Ohio Posts: 4,937	1. Starting early makes it difficult to gauge the lowest dose needed. I don't know how big of an issue this is since people dose in excess without any observed issues. 2. I wouldn't modify any part of your setup until you figure out how vodka modifies your system. I could not keep my phosphates under 0.15ppm with vodka alone and had to use GFO as a supplement. It was much less than without the vodka. 3. Yes. I only had pros for this. Doses set for days without need to worry. 4. The heavier your bioload the more that will be needed. Once I found a dose that worked I would alter my feeding if it looked like my tank was light on nutrients. __________________ Nate Current Tank Info: 15g Waterbox cube

12/24/2009, 08:53 AM	#3
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	The amount of a carbon source you add to your system, will be dependent on the level of nitrate. If your nitrate level is at zero, then the amount you need is usually about 1/2 of what is required to reduce your nitrate level. I would follow the directions in Genetic's article and start slowly. Vodka Dosing...Distilled! http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...nftt/index.php __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

12/24/2009, 10:55 AM	#5
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	Your welcome. Happy Reefing __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

12/24/2009, 06:44 PM	#6
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I wouldn't start dosing while the tank is very new. The bacterial load likely is high enough as is. After the ammonia has been zero for a couple of weeks, starting might be somewhat useful. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

12/24/2009, 10:52 AM	#4
bhammer Addicted User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 743	Thanks guys. Maybe I will do some expirmenting on a new cycling tank and see how it goes. I have read that article several times. I even printed off the graph for my vodka proof..