Vodka dosing horror stories?

Gilby · 12/29/2010, 04:01 PM

Anyone have an unusual or bad experiences with Vodka dosing? Just wondering what could go wrong if dosed improperly.

Is there anyone that disagrees with this method of nutrient export?

sirreal63 · 12/29/2010, 04:11 PM

I once woke up in an alley, seems I dosed too much vodka, I don't recommend vomiting for nutrient export.

Liquid carbon dosing is effective as long as you don't try and over do it. Solid carbon dosing is gaining in popularity, I have been using Bio-Pellets since June or July and you can over dose it as well. It is highly effective with proper dosing and testing. I suggest you do more research to determine if you want to begin doing that. It isn't for every tank, or everyone.

Oh...I have no horror stories from VSV, but with the BP I did watch my tank lose every form of algae, even my chaeto diminished. I did not have to clean my glass for months. I cut the BP quantity in half and things are doing much better. I don't mind a little algae.

d0ughb0y · 12/29/2010, 04:35 PM

the vodka dosiing instructions, imho, is essentially trial and error, hence is not a question of dosing properly or not.
you basically dose a small amount and gradually increase it until you observe nitrate and phosphate go to zero. but since you increase the dosage in time, you can (and will) go over what is necessary (the fact that the last step tells you to cut the dosage in half means you were dosing double what is needed), to the point it is too late and you may get cyano outbreaks, etc.

Gilby · 12/29/2010, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d0ughb0y

the fact that the last step tells you to cut the dosage in half means you were dosing double what is needed

So would it be possible to keep a lower dose and still reduce N and P or is it a must to "double dose" then cut back for it to be effective?

d0ughb0y · 12/29/2010, 04:50 PM

I am sure that is possible. it would be nice if there was just a more straightforward instructions to dose x ml per gallon of tank water.
I never had any problem using biofuel by simply following the directions, then switched to vodka (problem may be I started with 0 N and P, so I really have no end point) after I used up biofuel, then ran into cyano problems even after following the instructions carefully. I am back to using biofuel. its not like the money saved using vodka is going to make anyone rich.

jwoyshnar · 12/29/2010, 05:00 PM

Your response made me chuckle, i read it to my girlfriend and she started laughing. Its nice to not have seriousness all the time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirreal63

I once woke up in an alley, seems I dosed too much vodka, I don't recommend vomiting for nutrient export.

Liquid carbon dosing is effective as long as you don't try and over do it. Solid carbon dosing is gaining in popularity, I have been using Bio-Pellets since June or July and you can over dose it as well. It is highly effective with proper dosing and testing. I suggest you do more research to determine if you want to begin doing that. It isn't for every tank, or everyone.

Oh...I have no horror stories from VSV, but with the BP I did watch my tank lose every form of algae, even my chaeto diminished. I did not have to clean my glass for months. I cut the BP quantity in half and things are doing much better. I don't mind a little algae.

tibob32 · 12/29/2010, 05:04 PM

I ramped up to 10ml/daily in a 120g within 2 months. Had a little bacteria bloom. The only thing that can go wrong (AFAIK) is oxygen depletion, which shouldn't be a concern if you ramp up slowly and keep an eye on the tank for reactions

Lamball1 · 12/29/2010, 05:12 PM

I cant even remember

Gilby · 12/29/2010, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirreal63

I once woke up in an alley, seems I dosed too much vodka, I don't recommend vomiting for nutrient export.

I know, that was a good one. I think Ive done that a time or two also

Gilby · 12/29/2010, 07:46 PM

Anyone else have any bad or unusual experiences with dosing Vodka?

shrimphead · 12/29/2010, 08:28 PM

i haven't carbon dosed before so correct me if i'm wrong you should have good skimming on your tank if doing this method.

Gilby · 12/29/2010, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shrimphead

i haven't carbon dosed before so correct me if i'm wrong you should have good skimming on your tank if doing this method.

Maybe I'm explaining this wrong. I'm not really asking about methods or techniques for dosing vodka. I understand the concept. I'm just asking if anyone has had a bad experience or doesn't condone this method. I haven't really heard of anything going completely wrong and judging by the lack of replies I'm guessing none has had a bad experience.

12/29/2010, 04:01 PM	#1
Gilby Premium Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Waxahachie,TX Posts: 321	Vodka dosing horror stories? Anyone have an unusual or bad experiences with Vodka dosing? Just wondering what could go wrong if dosed improperly. Is there anyone that disagrees with this method of nutrient export?

12/29/2010, 04:11 PM	#2
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	I once woke up in an alley, seems I dosed too much vodka, I don't recommend vomiting for nutrient export. Liquid carbon dosing is effective as long as you don't try and over do it. Solid carbon dosing is gaining in popularity, I have been using Bio-Pellets since June or July and you can over dose it as well. It is highly effective with proper dosing and testing. I suggest you do more research to determine if you want to begin doing that. It isn't for every tank, or everyone. Oh...I have no horror stories from VSV, but with the BP I did watch my tank lose every form of algae, even my chaeto diminished. I did not have to clean my glass for months. I cut the BP quantity in half and things are doing much better. I don't mind a little algae. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon. Last edited by sirreal63; 12/29/2010 at 04:19 PM.

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12/29/2010, 04:35 PM	#3
d0ughb0y Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: sf bay area Posts: 5,165	the vodka dosiing instructions, imho, is essentially trial and error, hence is not a question of dosing properly or not. you basically dose a small amount and gradually increase it until you observe nitrate and phosphate go to zero. but since you increase the dosage in time, you can (and will) go over what is necessary (the fact that the last step tells you to cut the dosage in half means you were dosing double what is needed), to the point it is too late and you may get cyano outbreaks, etc.

12/29/2010, 04:50 PM	#5
d0ughb0y Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: sf bay area Posts: 5,165	I am sure that is possible. it would be nice if there was just a more straightforward instructions to dose x ml per gallon of tank water. I never had any problem using biofuel by simply following the directions, then switched to vodka (problem may be I started with 0 N and P, so I really have no end point) after I used up biofuel, then ran into cyano problems even after following the instructions carefully. I am back to using biofuel. its not like the money saved using vodka is going to make anyone rich.

12/29/2010, 05:04 PM	#7
tibob32 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 550	I ramped up to 10ml/daily in a 120g within 2 months. Had a little bacteria bloom. The only thing that can go wrong (AFAIK) is oxygen depletion, which shouldn't be a concern if you ramp up slowly and keep an eye on the tank for reactions

12/29/2010, 05:12 PM	#8
Lamball1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 203	I cant even remember

12/29/2010, 07:46 PM	#10
Gilby Premium Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Waxahachie,TX Posts: 321	Anyone else have any bad or unusual experiences with dosing Vodka?

12/29/2010, 08:28 PM	#11
shrimphead Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 552	i haven't carbon dosed before so correct me if i'm wrong you should have good skimming on your tank if doing this method.