Carbon dosing: Can I substitute gin for vodka?

burningmime

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I don't have any Vodka or vinegar around, but I have some gin (or single-malt whiskey which I don't think the bacteria would fully appreciate the taste of). Can I dose one of those? I'm not looking to carbon-dose long-term, just kickstart some bacteria cultures I have going and remove some nitrates before I toss in my first batch of fish.

Thanks!
 
I can totally see this turning into an Aviation Gin commercial .... someone DM Ryan Reynolds.
 
The carbon source in vodka is ethanol. If the proof (essentially, the concentration of ethanol) is similar between your gin on hand and that of typical vodka (~ 80 proof or 40% by volume), then dose just the same as you would with vodka. If the gin's proof is significantly higher or lower, then just adjust accordingly
 
No, don't put gin in your reef tank. Vodka is used because it's made of water and ethanol. Gin on the other hand is made with juniper berries which contain essential oils and flavonoids.
 
FWIW, I think gin is also fine.

If I were to use ethanol (I prefer vinegar for dosing), I'd buy the cheapest drinkable source of ethanol, such as Everclear or related products.
 

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