A few questions on Vodka dosing

[twychopen]

What do you think about vodka dosig while running GFO/carbon reactor? Some believe that it is not profitable because they counteract each other.

My salifert test kits show phos at 0 and nitrates at .02<ppm. Is there a point to dose vodka? I do draw water from the top of the tank and phos and nitrates are thought, by some, to be higher at the bottom of the tanks than at the top which would make the tests off somewhat. Also, I the tests may not be picking up all forms of Phos.

Let me know what you think. I am anxious to experiment. Also, I already read the article from RC.

Thanks!:thumbs_up:

[justahobby]

What is you reason for wanting to dose gfo and or vodka? it sounds like you have great parameters, though I am unfamiliar with salifert's phos kit. Do you have a nuisance algae problemo? I think the point of not dosing both is you might find yourself without any phosphate which is a bad thing..... GFO can work almost instantaneously. There might be issues with bacteria build up as well.... .. I'd have to read up some more to say for sure, but that's not happening right now (trying to fall asleep lol).

[twychopen]

I run a GFO reactor currently. I just have algae that is present and grows much quicker than I observe in others tanks.

What goes wrong when no phosphate is in the water?

[justahobby]

Your tank's organisms feed on phosphates, its food for your bacteria and coral. Have you tested the output of your reactor to see if it needs changing more often? It is also very important to have an efficient skimmer if you do decide to carbon dose. I chose DOC dosing as a means of jump starting. I actually start cutting back tomorrow and seeing how things look without the extra help from vodka.

I know its redundant but I think its worthy of always recapping: The best ways to combat algae are: rinsing food in rodi, avoid overfeeding, regular WC, macro in the fuge, and good skimmate production.
GFO and carbon dosing doesn't replace good husbandry : )

[twychopen]

I have macro algae (Not to mention mangroves), don't overfeed, do weekly 10% water changes and have dark brown thick skimmate. :/

[justahobby]

LOL I know exactly how frustrating that can be. The important thing is to remain patient. It's very easy to think nothing is working. Just remember that time is on your side (Beatles).

This is a new tank correct?
What type of macro, how often do you prune back? How big is your fuge?

I have wondered if DOC dosing might curb some of the new tank syndrome, but DOC's also lead to purple slime. That might be trading one evil for the next.

[twychopen]

Chaeto. Haven't yet. Its a 20gallon home made fuge. I am not sure if the light on my fuge is strong enough. It is just a 65 watt cf bulb. I think the chaeto may be dying off. The edges are somewhat brown.

[justahobby]

Circulation is a key that I have never mastered when it comes to chaeto. I know TX8VR grows the stuff like its his bread n butter. Maybe he will chime in, in the morning.

[BIGBIRD123]

Chaeto is in ideal conditions supposed to tumble in the fuge, roll like a bio-wheel. This is hard to do when most of us have rocks and such in our fuges.

[twychopen]

any other recommended macro algaes then?

[txav8r]

I have the opposite problem. Mine grows like crazy.I have 2 12" T5's over my fuge.

Like steve said, it's supposed to tumble but mine doesn't. I just flip the ball over once a week or so.

If you want to try a new batch of Chaeto I think I have enough for you. Kind of a long drive though.

[justahobby]

I'm wondering if the lighting may be too much for your chaeto. I had decent growth before I switch bulbs. I went with a 100w grow bulb and it was way too much. Regardless of flow changes, the chaeto ends up floating and browning out.

[Daniel]

I flip my cheato every once in awhile also. I use a 65wat 6500k bulb from Home Depot.