Carbon dosing

Downbeach · Jan 20, 2013

@ budman, what kits/testing device are you using to measure your N and P with?

Budman's Corals · Jan 20, 2013

Downbeach said:
@ budman, what kits/testing device are you using to measure your N and P with?

hanna checker for Phso. red sea algae control nitrate/and phos (if wanted to check to see how close hanna is)
reef foundation pro for KH,Ca,Mg

Aquaph8 · Jan 20, 2013

budman said:
you use vodka?

Vinegar

3Twinklets · Jan 21, 2013

I am glad to see conversation about Vodka dosing. Especially how much everyone is using. I was only up to 4.5 and was really getting scared. Dont get me wrong, I was getting great help from people here but I was still not sure what was to much and not.

Alex27 · Jan 21, 2013

3Twinklets said:
I am glad to see conversation about Vodka dosing. Especially how much everyone is using. I was only up to 4.5 and was really getting scared. Dont get me wrong, I was getting great help from people here but I was still not sure what was to much and not.

Everyones tank is different if this amount works for you keep it going.

Dowtish · Jan 21, 2013

If you have lost 30 sps from red turf algae, I would definitely be testing for nitrates and phosphates. Also how many total gallons is your system? I'm asking only because 50 gallon water changes every week could be an issue with parameters swinging.

Alex27 · Jan 21, 2013

sleeri said:
Is there any significant difference between the various carbon dosing types / methods? Basically, are the "brand name" doses better than vodka? I know they tend to be more expensive.

Different carbon dosing feeds different strains of bacteria. There was an article in Glassbox that talked about dosing VSV, which is vinegar, sugar and vodka all together in a solution. Some reefers do this to have a diversity of beneficial bacteria instead of just one strain. the article also goes into a recipe for making the solution. As with all other carbon dosing, it also has to be started slow.

ReeferBill · Feb 1, 2013

Ok, so my nitrates are through the roof, according to my test kit. Going to get a new one tonight to make sure. I have done 30% water changes over the last 3 days, and its still so high, its off the cahrts(over 160ppm). Bud I know you know me:) Problem is that I have no algae growing anywhere(other than my cheato in the sump. But no hair,slime, diatoms, brown. My tank looks pristine, and my fish are great. RBTA is healthy, soft corals look good, cucumbers and shrimp look great. So if my nitrates are really high(if they even are), and not phosphates are really low, can I still do carbon dosing? If the nitrates are this high, I am really considering doing the carbon dosing to get them in check, then once they are lowered, I can slowly ween the tank of it, and do better on water changes.