Can Carbon Dosing Mitigate Ammonia Spikes?

[Dan_P]

In a study of carbon dosing, I observed vinegar dosing (1 mL/gallon rate) capable of removing 1 ppm total ammonia within several hours in several day old Instant Ocean and clean aragonite sand. Apparently there were enough random heterotrophic bacteria in this mixture to remove the ammonia.

This got me wondering whether carbon dosing might be a way to take care of elevated ammonia levels in quarantine tanks and new aquaria, with the caveat that aeration should be used to avoid oxygen depletion by the increased bacteria activity?

 

[Garf]

In a study of carbon dosing, I observed vinegar dosing (1 mL/gallon rate) capable of removing 1 ppm total ammonia within several hours in several day old Instant Ocean and clean aragonite sand. Apparently there were enough random heterotrophic bacteria in this mixture to remove the ammonia.

This got me wondering whether carbon dosing might be a way to take care of elevated ammonia levels in quarantine tanks and new aquaria, with the caveat that aeration should be used to avoid oxygen depletion by the increased bacteria activity?

Seemed to work for me;

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/fritzyme-9-modified-cycle.999904/post-11641849

 

[GARRIGA]

Learn something new...

"Yes, some heterotrophic bacteria can process ammonia through a process called "heterotrophic nitrification," where they utilize ammonia as a nitrogen source and oxidize it to nitrite or nitrate while using organic compounds as their primary energy source; essentially, they can "eat" ammonia alongside organic matter to obtain nitrogen for growth."

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Sounds like a good plan to me, also lowering pH to reduce ammonia tox.

 

[Dan_P]

Seemed to work for me;

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/fritzyme-9-modified-cycle.999904/post-11641849

A trail blazer!