Not seeing expected results from vodka?

[d3rryc]

Hey, there!

I have a question for all of the reefers out there who are dosing vodka. I've been dosing for a couple of months now, and I'm currently up to 6ml a day on a 140-gal mixed reef. However, I'm still not really seeing the advertised results, particularly in regards to nutrient reduction. My main reason for beginning a vodka regime was to be able to feed a bit more heavily without the freakin' cyano getting out of hand. Unfortunately, the cyano is as persistent as ever, and the front glass still gets a significant algae dusting within a week or so. Have I simply not reached the tipping point yet and the dosing level is still too low to do what I want it to in a tank this size? Relevant tank specs are listed below, and any experienced input is appreciated.

140-gal long
150 lbs of live rock
2 K4s with the maxijet mod
1 K2 in a back corner
closed loop running a snapper
PM RL150 skimmer
30-gal sump with chaeto

Ca 400
Mg 1300
Alk 8.2
Salinity 1.026

Medium bioload (a dozen sm-med fish, typical cleanup crew, few SPS, more zoas/shrooms/etc)

Thanks!
Derry

[Kristy]

Hi Derry,

We have never tried vodka dosing, but went so far as to buy a bottle, read up about it, and write out a dosing schedule, all set to begin it. At the last second, I lost my nerve. I just hate introducing "chemicals" (although I realize vodka isn't quite) into the tank for fear there will be some undesireable side effects. I couldn't find anyone who had personally solved their troubles by vodka dosing, so that stalled me also.

We were struggling for a long time with the same thing you describe, periodic outbreaks of cyano and other spells of undesireable algae growth because we have a pretty healthy bioload and feed pretty heavily to keep them fat and happy. Instead we switched to a weekly schedule of water changes for the past ten weeks or so, same 20% we have always done twice monthly. Our tank has never looked better and the nitrates have dropped under 20 for the first time in well, ever, hovering around 10 most of the time. The other thing we did during this time was change out our very old bulbs. We also have more flow in the tank than we've ever had. Something is working because the reef has never looked better.

I know this is not what your question asked, but thought I'd just offer this experience in case you don't end up getting what you are looking for from the vodka. We're drinking screwdrivers with ours and admiring the tank!