Fast organic carbon like alcohol, sugar and vinegar can be used in different ways in an aquarium. The most common (today) is to stimulate the growth of aerobic heterotrophs in order to export nutrients. However – the old way to use organic carbon is to use it for the denitrification in anaerobic environment. (Without oxygen) A fast organic carbon is needed in that process. The most common ways to manage a denitrification process is to add this carbon source from the outside. However if the anaerobic process has been established for a while – there is other processes that are able to produce fast carbon sources like sugar and alcohol from the internal organic waste inside the filter/sand bedd. You will get a piano that plays itself with other words.
Sincerely Lasse
Sincerely Lasse