Doser failed and dumped 700ml vodka and alk

[Barks]

Hey all


Doser failed and dumped 700ml of vodka and about the same alk.
I’ve done a 25% wc as that’s all I had.
Alk at 14 instead of 9 water cloudy.

Is there anything that will take the vodka out or am I just going to have to wait for to water and change 50%

Cheers
Barks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What size tank?

Keep aeration up.

 

[Barks]

Sorry Randy 435 litre
Thanks mate

 

[bluemon]

I did something similar recently but it was just the carbon dosing, but it was with vinegar+vodka. Only around ~200 mL but the vinegar and its lower pH was pretty bad.

it dropped my pH to 6.5 ish but thankfully nothing died. Just did a big water change, some emergency kalk while shutting off my CA reactor to offset the alk boost. The tank was cloudy for a good day, but the plumbed in UV and skimming extra definitely helped.

 

[Barks]

Thanks bud.
I’ve turned the skimmer up and upped the gyres to 80%.

Going to check ph now.

 

[bluemon]

Thanks bud.
I’ve turned the skimmer up and upped the gyres to 80%.

Going to check ph now.

dosing Vodka shouldn't have too significant of an impact vs straight up dosing vinegar. You will still see some drops because of the bacteria bloom, but shouldn't be an issue. You can run some extra airstones to help it out.

 

[Barks]

Ph is 8 quite supprised really.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’m not understanding why the alk is higher than usual. With a bloom, the vodka will likely mostly be gone in 24 h, assuming nitrate or phosphate don’t bottom out.

 

[bluemon]

I’m not understanding why the alk is higher than usual. With a bloom, the vodka will likely mostly be gone in 24 h, assuming nitrate or phosphate don’t bottom out.

I think OP said their alk dosing failed as well.

Which is more of a concern

 

[Barks]

Hi Randy. The doser switched on all pumps repeatedly and dumped about 700ml of vodka and alk.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ah, ok, makes sense.

 

[Barks]

Normally kept at 9

 

[Barks]

Just thinking If I siphon out 200 litres and use sodium hydrogen sulphate to drop the alk what’s best guess on alk target should it be 4 to bring the tank back to 9 from 14 when mixed back in and amount of sodium hydrogen sulphate to use.
Also best guess on time to bring oh back before mixing back in.
Or is this a silly idea.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Just thinking If I siphon out 200 litres and use sodium hydrogen sulphate to drop the alk what’s best guess on alk target should it be 4 to bring the tank back to 9 from 14 when mixed back in and amount of sodium hydrogen sulphate to use.
Also best guess on time to bring oh back before mixing back in.
Or is this a silly idea.

I wouldn't worry about the Alk, it should drop quite quickly.

 

[Barks]

Copperband. Fox face and parrot struggling the worst. Big fish though. Had Copperband nearly 2 years now.

 

[Boehmtown]

What kind of doser? My ecotech did something similar. Just looking what else to avoid on my next purchase

 

[Barks]

Aquamedic reef doser eco 4.
It’s been great for about 6 years I think.
Maybe my fault fitting the dosing part above the sump but it was cycling all lights on and off and dumped everything attached. I unplugged it and it was ok when I switched it back on.
I think im going for the jebao md 4.4 next and just replace it every 2 years.
No seperate controller so no external plugs.
My friends Red Sea doser stuck on too and wiped his tank out.
Cheers
Barks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Alk is just the weighted average of what is mixed together. I can’t tell what your exact numbers are, but 200 L of 4 dKH added to 600 L of 14 dKH gives (200x4 + 600x14)/800 = 11.5 dKH.

 

[Barks]

Thanks Randy.
It’s not looking good.
I’m waiting for ro water.
Got big fish in seperate tank.
3 corals dead.

 

[bluemon]

Thanks Randy.
It’s not looking good.
I’m waiting for ro water.
Got big fish in seperate tank.
3 corals dead.

Sorry about that, but not too unexpected for SPS as the alk jumped from 9 to 14.

You can save the fish though with enough aeration