Should I start vodka dosing?

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elijones244

Premium Member
I have been going back and fourth for awhile about dosing vodka. I have read many articles, including marks. I like the idea of replacing the cost of GFO, but its not a huge factor in my decision. My phosphate, with a Hannah Checker, is between .03 and .06. (Cant get consistent results with it for some reason). Nitrates are 0 with an API test kit...I know, I know, I should have a better one. :) The main reason I want to start is because my corals are pretty brown and Im thinking it has to do with nutrients, but I'm slightly confused because my nutrients are low. I don't think its a light issue because I have 2 250W halides over my 40g frag tank and a 100w evolution LED over my 65g display. It is a 115G system. Anyone have an opinion? Thanks!
 
can you post some more specifics about your tank?

how long has it been running
types of corals
how long have you had the LED's
alk level
mg level
ca level
ammonia level
salinity

this will help to determine what is going on in your tank. I know that there is some more stuff that i am missing but im tired and it is getting late and honestly I dont think the vodka dosing will help as your system seems clean right now as it is.
 
What's your tank temp, tank ph and salinity(how are you testing). How often do you top off?? Do you dose anything to your tank?? How are you maintaining ca/alk/mg level's???

Cheers,
 
@K_Red_Raider wrote:
can you post some more specifics about your tank? how long has it been running types of corals how long have you had the LED's alk level mg level ca level ammonia level salinity this will help to determine what is going on in your tank. I know that there is some more stuff that i am missing but im tired and it is getting late and honestly I dont think the vodka dosing will help as your system seems clean right now as it is. said:
The 65g display has been running just short of six months, the 40g connected frag tank for alittle under two months. The tank is sps dominant. I have had the led's for 6 months. I keep all at 8, cal 460, and mag at 1450. No ammonia. Salinity is 35ppt. Thanks!
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@bimmerzs wrote:
What's your tank temp said:
Temp is steady at 78.2. Ph fluctuates between 8.05 and 8.3 monitored with a reef keeper ph probe. Salinity is 35ppt with a refractometer. I have an auto top off. I dose zeovit flatworm stop daily for color. Alk 8, cal 460, and mag 1450 are kept stable with a bubble magus dosing pump that doses hourly. Thanks!
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@mmiller40 wrote:
I vodka or bourbon des every other night... Although none of it makes it to the aquarium. Lol said:
Ha! I bet it still helps the tank, or atleast how you think the tank looks! :)
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I Think it's going to be funny when you ask your parents for Vodka and you swear it's for the tank!!!!
 
@Sherman wrote:
I Think it's going to be funny when you ask your parents for Vodka and you swear it's for the tank!!!! said:
haha!!! I hadn't even thought about that angle...I might have to show them this thread!
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Your alk might be a little low for a SPS dominate tank. I would try to keep it between 9-10 which is where I keep mine at. How many fish and what do you feed? You may be at the point of not having enuff nutrients for your coral you have to remember that they are filter feeders.
 
@K_Red_Raider wrote:
Your alk might be a little low for a SPS dominate tank. I would try to keep it between 9-10 which is where I keep mine at. How many fish and what do you feed? You may be at the point of not having enuff nutrients for your coral you have to remember that they are filter feeders. said:
I lowered it over the last couple weeks from 9.5 because most articles on vodka dosing recommend keeping it around 8 to avoid burnt sps tips. I have a small yellow tank, and small Kole tank, two small clowns, and a sixline between both tanks. So basically 5 fish in 115G of water. The reason I think it is not too low nutrients is because I have to clean my glass every few days, and hair algae grows on my egg crate frag racks (I think the hair algae might be the egg crate leaching phosphate because I don't have it anywhere else).
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Since you are having trouble with getting consistant readings with your Hanna have you tried to check it a different way.

Also, what kind of food do you feed and how much each time?
 
@K_Red_Raider wrote:
Since you are having trouble with getting consistant readings with your Hanna have you tried to check it a different way. Also said:
I have it reading consistently now at .04, haven't tried any other method. I feed 3/4 of a cube of mysis ever other day, formula 1 pellets occasionally with the mysis. Also a small sheet of nori ever other day.
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Reading this post I can't help but ask why vodka dose? Your nutrients are in great shape (for SPS I guess .02 on phosphates, but you're good at .04). You can't get any lower on nitrates, so what's the point in vodka? If your SPS are browning, I'd examine your lighting. I saw that you're using 2 MHs, how old are the bulbs? I have a "few" pieces of SPS and my nitrates are around 5 ppm, and phos. are running .05 or so (I'm a generous feeder) but my SPS is doing fine.
 
@tj51 wrote:
Reading this post I can't help but ask why vodka dose? Your nutrients are in great shape (for SPS I guess .02 on phosphates said:
Really the main reason is to be able to feed a lot more and not have to buy GFO which is a lot more expensive then vodka! Thanks.
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@elijones244 wrote:
[I]@mmiller40 wrote:[/I][quote="I vodka or bourbon des every other night... Although none of it makes it to the aquarium. Lol said:
Ha! I bet it still helps the tank, or atleast how you think the tank looks! :)"]
Haha

Looking back at my bad spelling I was pretty dosed up that night. Lol it happens with Crown and Sailer Jerry. [smilie=rofl.gif]
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