Any vodka dosing guru's in here?

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by NittyGritty, Oct 10, 2014.

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  1. NittyGritty

    NittyGritty Millepora

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    What can you do to reduce the risk of a bacteria bloom?
     
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  3. Billme

    Billme Eyelash Blennie

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  4. hart24601

    hart24601 Flamingo Tongue

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    There are quite a few guides out there. Carbon dosing is pretty routine now, I love it personally, but I was too inconsistent with manual dosing so I got a brs drews doser on a timer. Been going strong for well over a year now. I have low nutrients now, but still dose a bit as the filter feeders seem to love it.
     
  5. Servillius

    Servillius Montipora Digitata

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    I tried pellets for years. It always failed because I couldn't keep the tumble consistent. Liquid carbon dosing is actually more controllable and I prefer it.

    I would use one of the complex carbon sources on the market rather than vodka because while it's fairly easy to control, vodka does tend to cause some red slime.

    When I was dosing, I was using white spirit vinegar. For your tank I'd go about 10ml a day and go up 5ml a week until your numbers come down noticeably then lower the dose and maintain it. I think the expensive stuff is probably a better bet, but if you want to try the cheap stuff, that's the one I'd try.

    Once the carbon dosing started working again, I actually felt a bit stupid for making my life such a pain without it.
     
  6. Servillius

    Servillius Montipora Digitata

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    Oh, using an auto doser is definitely the way to go. Try to spread the dose out over several applications a day if you can.
     
  7. NittyGritty

    NittyGritty Millepora

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    Did you use a beneficial bacterial to battle the bad bacterial like Microbactor7 or just straight Carbon dosing?
     
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  9. Servillius

    Servillius Montipora Digitata

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    I've done it both ways. I think I'm for dosing some bacteria to keep up diversity, but no evidence its critical.
     
  10. NittyGritty

    NittyGritty Millepora

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    How about vodka vs vinegar?
     
  11. Servillius

    Servillius Montipora Digitata

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    I prefer vinegar, but I prefer the complex carbon sources being formulated by manufacturers even more. Truth is though, they all work.
     
  12. hart24601

    hart24601 Flamingo Tongue

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    I use vodka, I like that I don't have to dose as much, it's super cheap, and have never had any side effects like slime, so I have not had a reason to change.