Interesting topic.... I just started doing the vodka dosing too. I'm following the reef keeping online magazine with 40 proof. Though my total water is 335 gallons [close estimate], i'm only dosing the 250 gallon regiment. I'm going with less is safer.
I started with less to be safe, too. I also ramp up a bit slower than they suggest.
Anyone notice a pH drop when switching to vodka dosing? I'm guessing it's because of the increased respiration. I'm not complaining-- my tank used to run from 8.4-8.6 and that was a bit too high for comfort.
The reason for the vodka dosing is to promote bacteria and increase water quality by helping the nitrogen cycle, it shouldn't matter if you have fem/lots of coral... I think.:conf44:
I started with less to be safe, too. I also ramp up a bit slower than they suggest.
Anyone notice a pH drop when switching to vodka dosing? I'm guessing it's because of the increased respiration. I'm not complaining-- my tank used to run from 8.4-8.6 and that was a bit too high for comfort.
yeah, definately the lack of C02 will cause the PH to drop. Someone people use airstones to increase the volume of C02, but sometimes it's not necessary because of the bigger skimmer required to have an efficient carbon dosing.
yeah, definately the lack of C02 will cause the PH to drop. Someone people use airstones to increase the volume of C02, but sometimes it's not necessary because of the bigger skimmer required to have an efficient carbon dosing.
I think you mean O2. CO2 lowers the pH. I wouldn't imagine that an air-stone would help on any system that should be doing vodka--a kickin' skimmer is mandatory if you want to be successful. I wonder how low the pH would go on tanks doing CaRX, vodka without doing kalk or a monster 'fuge...
Currently doing 25-30mL vodka twice daily along with about 5mL of the bac a day. Please, anyone reading this, do not go throwing 60mL of vodka into your tank!!!
I use a calcium reactor with vodka. No kalk. Teeny almost pointless fuge. I stopped even looking at my tank's pH over a year ago. My pH probe is forever in my reactor effluent.
Oh, and Nick, yes, I have noticed higher ORP lately. Didn't you ask me about that?
really? higher ORP? I would've thought it would go down. any clue where your pH sits? how are your growth rates? IME high pH is nice for growth, but it's a PITA to keep pumps clean of precip. I've had to take down my fuge when dosing vodka because the chaeto starts to melt away.
I use a calcium reactor with vodka. No kalk. Teeny almost pointless fuge. I stopped even looking at my tank's pH over a year ago. My pH probe is forever in my reactor effluent.
Oh, and Nick, yes, I have noticed higher ORP lately. Didn't you ask me about that?
It goes down after dosing, for sure. But, for example, when I wake up in the morning, or after I get home from work, so no dosing has happened recently, it's been sitting about 25 units higher than normal...
It goes down after dosing, for sure. But, for example, when I wake up in the morning, or after I get home from work, so no dosing has happened recently, it's been sitting about 25 units higher than normal...
I have actually been planning on trying this method but I never new that you had to take apart your fuge? I was reading up on melevs reef and he NEVER took apart his fuge, and doses straight vodka everyday.
I have actually been planning on trying this method but I never new that you had to take apart your fuge? I was reading up on melevs reef and he NEVER took apart his fuge, and doses straight vodka everyday.
From my understanding, using this method will create an ULNE (ultra low nutrient environment) similar to zeovit/neozeo/etc. meaning that the macro algae in the fuge will start to die off or worst, release chemicals into the water.
