Carbon dosing: Can I substitute gin for vodka?

[burningmime]

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!

 

[CMMorgan]

I can totally see this turning into an Aviation Gin commercial .... someone DM Ryan Reynolds.

 

[Rmckoy]

Sugar is also carbon .

not sure about how much to dilute or mix .

 

[Jedi1199]

Sugar is also carbon .

not sure about how much to dilute or mix .

Use the sugar while drinking the Gin...

 

[Rmckoy]

What is Carbon Dosing? - Simplicity Aquatics

When you hear about people putting vodka or sugar in their aquarium, you may think they are crazy. But the reality is doing so can be beneficial to your aquarium. Adding these substances to your tank is called carbon dosing. It is not the same thing as adding activated carbon to your aquarium...

www.simplicityaquatics.com

 

[BostonReefer300]

I can totally see this turning into an Aviation Gin commercial .... someone DM Ryan Reynolds.

Now that's just plain old funny!

 

[Rmckoy]

Use the sugar while drinking the Gin...

Once you get passed the smell you got it licked lol

I can’t stand the smell of gin .
more of a beer guy

 

[BostonReefer300]

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

 

[Jedi1199]

Once you get passed the smell you got it licked lol

I can’t stand the smell of gin .
more of a beer guy

LOL... I cant stand the taste of beer. I mostly drink vodka.

 

[Rmckoy]

LOL... I cant stand the taste of beer. I mostly drink vodka.

Caesar with double shot of vodka .

 

[DMG Reef]

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.

 

[burningmime]

Use the sugar while drinking the Gin...

Done! Thahn for tjhe adviovcxe.

 

[Jedi1199]

HAHAHAHAHA You're welcome

 

[blasterman]

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.

Sound like "trace elements" to me.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

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.