Help educate me on Vodka Dosing please.

[Stv]

Hey guys, hoping this can help someone else one day as well.

one year old fully stocked biocube 32. Intank media basket, refugium in 2nd chamber, stock skimmer in first. UV as well. AI prime with light schedule picture below.
ATO with small amount of kalk added. Numbers and tank look great other than my constant struggle to get nitrates lower. I’m really doing this excersize for the education. I know it probs doesn’t need to be done and some will say leave it alone BUT AGAIN, I want to learn and understanding vodka dosing is something I want to be more educated on for future tanks.
Sal. 1.025
Ph. 8.1.
KH. 10.1
Cal. 440.
Nit. 30-60 between water changes.
Phos. .025.
Mag. 1440

I range between 30-60 nitrates between 20% water changes every two weeks. 5 small fish, and only feed less than a half cube daily and other than roids once a week in a lower than required amount, no other feeding.
I’ve taken a year to understand where my tank wants to land naturally on everything and I’m trying to understand now, the techniques needed to step in and help if I ever need to.
So please help me understand vodka dosing in a nit shell. What to expect, how and at what dosage is successful and what to expect see happen and in what approx timeline. Thanks in advance.
Again this is to educate myself. I don’t think it’s needed, my tank is fine but I’m trying to learn not solve a problem and by the looks of my nitrates, I have an opportunity to learn so why not take it and get some of the wonderful guidance and mentoring you all have. Cheers.

 

[ZoWhat]

Your feeding nutrifying bacteria with the alcohol in the vodka 80 proof. It's helps populate the water column with enough nutrifying bacteria so it's also consumes nitrates.

Cultivating bacteria is an everyday event

 

[Stv]

Thank you so much!! Any adversary reactions? Is it going to kill a nem that likes to drink or anything?

 

[Sean Clark]

Thank you so much!! Any adversary reactions? Is it going to kill a nem that likes to drink or anything?

This is not going to help if your nem already has a problem.

 

[ClownSchool]

Vodka cause pH swings. I recommend vinegar.
This is a great article on the subject.

Reefkeeping Magazine - Vinegar Dosing Methodology for the Marine Aquarium

Reefkeeping ...an online magazine for the marine aquarist.

reefkeeping.com

 

[Stv]

This is not going to help if your nem already has a problem.

He’s thriving. Trust me. I was just joking.

 

[Stv]

Vodka cause pH swings. I recommend vinegar.
This is a great article on the subject.

Reefkeeping Magazine - Vinegar Dosing Methodology for the Marine Aquarium

Reefkeeping ...an online magazine for the marine aquarist.

reefkeeping.com

Thank you. I struggle from low natural PH and use kalk so this is great Info.

 

[Sean Clark]

He’s thriving. Trust me. I was just joking.

Lol as was I. Your sugestion that your nem has a drinking problem. That is too funny.

 

[Spieg]

This is just another form of carbon dosing. One thing you should know is that it will lower your PO4 level too. Your PO4 level is already pretty low, so monitor to be sure you don't let it go to zero (you may find it requires dosing some PO4).

 

[Stv]

This is just another form of carbon dosing. One thing you should know is that it will lower your PO4 level too. Your PO4 level is already pretty low, so monitor to be sure you don't let it go to zero (you may find it requires dosing some PO4).

Something I was worried about and with chaeto thriving it’s even more a concern. Thank you so much.

 

[Stv]

No more advise on vodka or vinegar? Where did all the mentors do? ((

 

[Sean Clark]

 

[ClownSchool]

No more advise on vodka or vinegar? Where did all the mentors do? ((

If you read the article I posted for you above, you should have all the information you need.

 

[Neon_Devil]

I recommend NoPox over vodka but that's just me.

 

[Pistondog]

Is your skimmer pulling stuff? Do not carbon dose without a good skimmer.
Carbon dosing grows bacteria which consume the nitrates and phosphates. The bacteria is then skimmed out.
Some advocate carbon dosing just to feed the corals. The bacteria ease the uptake of phosphates.
Some anecdotes about carbon dosing promoting cyano growth, which is a bacteria.
I started with vodka, then used diy nopox.

 

[ClownSchool]

I recommend NoPox over vodka but that's just me.

Especially, if your nitrate is in parameters, as carbon dosing effects nitrate versus phosphate at a ratio of 16 to 1, respectively (if I’m remembering it right).

 

[ClownSchool]

Is your skimmer pulling stuff? Do not carbon dose without a good skimmer.
Carbon dosing grows bacteria which consume the nitrates and phosphates. The bacteria is then skimmed out.
Some advocate carbon dosing just to feed the corals. The bacteria ease the uptake of phosphates.
Some anecdotes about carbon dosing promoting cyano growth, which is a bacteria.
I started with vodka, then used diy nopox.

I’ve also heard that adding your carbon dose to your coral’s calcium intake and improve growth, but I haven’t tried it, as I’ve been battling high calcium, lately.