Should i dose VODKA if im testing 0 for nitrates and phosphate ?

Scoobysnack77 · 04/19/2013, 09:27 PM

I wanted to start dosing vodka cuz i heard it helps coral growth. so far my API testers have shown no signs of nitrate and phosphate. should i still do it?

thanx ,
lee

Deep Reef · 04/19/2013, 10:10 PM

it is my understanding you should dose to reduce nitrates and phosphate to 0. If you're already there I don't believe there is a need.

Aqua_monkey · 04/19/2013, 10:16 PM

I agree with Deep Reef, vodka helps coral growth by reducing nitrates and phosphates. Not much point if they are at zero already. If you see them start to climb then you could start adding it.

tmantaylor18 · 04/19/2013, 10:50 PM

If you want to start feeding more and dosing stuff like aminos

H2OCulture · 04/19/2013, 11:15 PM

I would start dosing half of what you have been and see where your parameters go. The point of dosing vodka is to grow a population of bacteria to eliminate the waste. Now that you've grown a significant number of them, you want to maintain their numbers to keep your nutrients down. Not dosing and then redosing will create nutrient swings. Not to mention that without nutrients the bacteria will die and release their sequestered nutrients before they can be skimmed out. Keeping the vodka "on" will lessen this effect.

Scoobysnack77 · 04/20/2013, 02:24 AM

aminos?

Scoobysnack77 · 04/20/2013, 02:26 AM

i havent dosed vodka yet . doesnt a carbon / phosphate reactor help with nitrate and phosphate removal? and she i use a reactor while dosing vodka?

H2OCulture · 04/20/2013, 03:42 AM

My bad, I thought you were asking if you should still dose vodka. Phos reactors remove phosphate only, and carbon will remove large organics; like a skimmer. Vodka dosing is only effective if you running a very powerful protein skimmer to strip the water column of any bacteria. If you are happy with your coloration/growth, don't do it. If you think they need improvement, then I would read this excellent article: http://www.qualitymarine.com/News/Fe...ing.-(03/30/10)

"Aminos" are amino acid supplements. So love them, someday they are snake oil. I've never used them.

Scoobysnack77 · 04/20/2013, 11:40 AM

ok thank you

so should i use amino? i didn't understand your last sentence

Afflicted · 04/20/2013, 05:58 PM

I'm on day 3 of vodka dosing. Phosphates have never been a problem but my nitrate always run at about 20 no mater what I do.

04/19/2013, 09:27 PM	#1
Scoobysnack77 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 185	Should i dose VODKA if im testing 0 for nitrates and phosphate ? I wanted to start dosing vodka cuz i heard it helps coral growth. so far my API testers have shown no signs of nitrate and phosphate. should i still do it? thanx , lee

04/19/2013, 11:15 PM	#5
H2OCulture Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Bethesda, Maryland Posts: 85	I would start dosing half of what you have been and see where your parameters go. The point of dosing vodka is to grow a population of bacteria to eliminate the waste. Now that you've grown a significant number of them, you want to maintain their numbers to keep your nutrients down. Not dosing and then redosing will create nutrient swings. Not to mention that without nutrients the bacteria will die and release their sequestered nutrients before they can be skimmed out. Keeping the vodka "on" will lessen this effect. __________________ "Just add water" "Just say NO to detritus" February TOTM 2011 Le Châtelier is my clean-up crew. Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon Mixed Reef

04/20/2013, 03:42 AM	#8
H2OCulture Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Bethesda, Maryland Posts: 85	My bad, I thought you were asking if you should still dose vodka. Phos reactors remove phosphate only, and carbon will remove large organics; like a skimmer. Vodka dosing is only effective if you running a very powerful protein skimmer to strip the water column of any bacteria. If you are happy with your coloration/growth, don't do it. If you think they need improvement, then I would read this excellent article: http://www.qualitymarine.com/News/Fe...ing.-(03/30/10) "Aminos" are amino acid supplements. So love them, someday they are snake oil. I've never used them. __________________ "Just add water" "Just say NO to detritus" February TOTM 2011 Le Châtelier is my clean-up crew. Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon Mixed Reef

04/19/2013, 10:10 PM	#2
Deep Reef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Coral Springs, FL Posts: 1,192	it is my understanding you should dose to reduce nitrates and phosphate to 0. If you're already there I don't believe there is a need.

04/19/2013, 10:16 PM	#3
Aqua_monkey Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 6	I agree with Deep Reef, vodka helps coral growth by reducing nitrates and phosphates. Not much point if they are at zero already. If you see them start to climb then you could start adding it.

04/19/2013, 10:50 PM	#4
tmantaylor18 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sunnyvale, CA Posts: 4,143	If you want to start feeding more and dosing stuff like aminos

04/20/2013, 02:24 AM	#6
Scoobysnack77 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 185	aminos?

04/20/2013, 02:26 AM	#7
Scoobysnack77 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 185	i havent dosed vodka yet . doesnt a carbon / phosphate reactor help with nitrate and phosphate removal? and she i use a reactor while dosing vodka?

04/20/2013, 11:40 AM	#9
Scoobysnack77 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 185	ok thank you so should i use amino? i didn't understand your last sentence

04/20/2013, 05:58 PM	#10
Afflicted Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 29	I'm on day 3 of vodka dosing. Phosphates have never been a problem but my nitrate always run at about 20 no mater what I do.