Vodka dosing without a skimmer??? Yay or Nay?

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#1
So after having my water tested this morning I've found out that my phosphate level has dropped from 2.5 down to .46... awesome! But I guess I still have a nitrate problem. I do overfeed, cutting back is easier said than done with my list of fish. It can also be a problem where the rock may be leeching nitrates back into the system just from being "old". The guys over at Reef Raft gave me a regimen to follow for vodka dosing, but I need experienced opinions if anyone has ever done this without running a skimmer?
 

pgr11

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#2
Not a good idea. Your gonna trade one problem for another if you don't have a skimmer
 
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#3
That's what I'm worried about. Any suggestions on how to lower nitrates? Should I consider swapping out some old rock with new rock? I was considering doing that with some of the man-made purple rock. Maybe start adding live bacteria? I don't know what to do. But my nitrates have been at 5ppm max the last few years... and now it's at 80ppm :'(
 
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#6
No skimmer and high nitrates go hand in hand. Stop buying fish, and buy a skimmer. Would u drive ur car without tires? Lol


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That really doesn't help. I have to feed the fish I have. So to put it differently, are there any products I can add that will help reduce nitrates, like live bacteria?
 

pgr11

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That really doesn't help. I have to feed the fish I have. So to put it differently, are there any products I can add that will help reduce nitrates, like live bacteria?
Aquamaxx ultramax. Will help but is not the solution to your problem
 
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#9
do not dose vodka without skimmer. yeah follow what these guys said

you are just tryin to put a bandaid on the problem by adding the vodka. you need more water changes with good water. or get a skimmer and still do more water changes........ basically you need to clean the inside of the rock by diffusion and dillution
 
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#11
I use the ultramaxx and chemipure. It's not helping. I do a 5 gallon water change every week. I don't have the room in my sump for a skimmer. It's tiny. There's enough room for the 2 pumps and that's it. I tried macro algae, I guess that hasn't helped either. My biggest concern is that if I cut back frozen food to every other day, some fish fight go hungry. A couple of my fish won't eat pellets yet. I've been working on it...
 

pgr11

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#12
Run a hob skimmer. But don't run vodka without a skimmer and one that's overrated for your tank. You could also build An ATS but don't run vodka with that. How big is your tank
 
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#13
That really doesn't help. I have to feed the fish I have. So to put it differently, are there any products I can add that will help reduce nitrates, like live bacteria?
Ok don't buy a skimmer, start doing 5g water changes every other day and that will fix ur nitrate problem. DO NOT VODKA DOSE!

Only a few ways i know of to remove nitrates;
A. Water changes
B. Carbon dosing (vodka,vinegar,sugar etc..only works with a good skimmer)
C. Algae Turf Scrubber
D. Water Changes
E. Water Changes






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Justin

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#16
People here are giving you great advice. EIther buy a skimmer, ATS, or increase your macroalgae and run a refugium 24/7. How many fish can you have in a 60 gallon?
 
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#17
Look into Aquaripure Nitrate filter, I use one and would't be without, very simple and it works. If you are stuck on vodka dosing, don't worry, you dose vodka into the filter instead :)
 

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