Pufferpunk
New member
Anyone using a carbon source in their tank? I've been dosing with vitamin C (sodium ascorbate) for over 3 years. I'm considering adding vodka to boost a different nitrifying bacteria.
Who's Carbon Dosing?
- Thread starter Pufferpunk
- Start date
SaylorsReef
New member
I'm considering doing the Vodka....for my reef tank!
Pufferpunk
New member
How true, I wouldn't want to see my female B&W O as a drunk, she's mean enough!My fish are silly enough, Don't need and drunk, Especially if there mean drunks!! lmao
Here's some info on vodka dosing & a summary of how carbon dosing works: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php
Different carbon sources grow different nitrifying bacteria. I've had great success with vitamin C. I have stopped the dreaded melting zoanthid problem, my LPS have grown thicker "skin", more colorful & faster than before I was dosing. I have also eradicated crypt, HLLE & zoapox with high dosing. It has been surmised that VC is the only carbon source that can enhance collagen growth in cells.
DanSreef
Premium member
Bio Pellets
So...I have explored the Vodka Dosing idea and did not have much success. I had Nitrates of between 20-40 and just could not control them any lower.
A few months ago, I went to using Bio Pellets....and have to say that it is easy...and it works.
I bought a reactor....a water pump...some vertex pellets and some MB7 for starting a culture. I did not follow the directions...exactly.. Iused about 1/3 of the amount of pellets and chose to drive the nitrates down slowly. My neighbor also did pellets and his nitrate dropped right away....imo too quickly. So I took it a little slower. Over a period of a week or so... I went from 40...to 10....then to 5....then to zero or nearly zero as indicated by API test kits.
I would suggest doing some research on the topic and decide if this is the way for you. I like it because I did not have to worry about overdosing the tank with vodka....or having bacteria blooms...etc. This method requires a great skimmer, good flow and maint that is 1/10 that of vodka dosing.
There are a lot of good threads out there. Do some research....and then let me know if you have questions...
So...I have explored the Vodka Dosing idea and did not have much success. I had Nitrates of between 20-40 and just could not control them any lower.
A few months ago, I went to using Bio Pellets....and have to say that it is easy...and it works.
I bought a reactor....a water pump...some vertex pellets and some MB7 for starting a culture. I did not follow the directions...exactly.. Iused about 1/3 of the amount of pellets and chose to drive the nitrates down slowly. My neighbor also did pellets and his nitrate dropped right away....imo too quickly. So I took it a little slower. Over a period of a week or so... I went from 40...to 10....then to 5....then to zero or nearly zero as indicated by API test kits.
I would suggest doing some research on the topic and decide if this is the way for you. I like it because I did not have to worry about overdosing the tank with vodka....or having bacteria blooms...etc. This method requires a great skimmer, good flow and maint that is 1/10 that of vodka dosing.
There are a lot of good threads out there. Do some research....and then let me know if you have questions...
Pufferpunk
New member
Thanks for your experience on this Dan! Unfortunately, I do not have room for a reactor for my tank (I dose everything by hand), so I chose to go the VC route. Also, my main reason to start dosing this was to repair my melting zoanthids, the drop in nitrate was an added bonus, as was the fantastic growth & color on my other corals.
I have been dosing vodka for the last year on my 240. Imo it had my a huge difference in my system. I had a major hair algae outbreak so that is how I started. The algae went away and my corals have become more colorful. The simmer produces much more skimmate as well. Not sure if it is related but all three of my clown fish pairs started spawning as well. LOL
SaylorsReef
New member
Good to see you here Tom!
Pufferpunk
New member
I'd like to find out about dosing both vodka & VC together.
PaPaBear
New member
Nitrates
Haven't heard about the VC dosing. Would love some details on that.
My Nitrate levels are in the 20 to 40 range all other parameters are fine.
I've been dosing with Vodka for a few weeks to try to bring them down.
Along with 10% water change every 2 weeks.
Will try to attach my go to chart if anyone is interested.
Haven't heard about the VC dosing. Would love some details on that.
My Nitrate levels are in the 20 to 40 range all other parameters are fine.
I've been dosing with Vodka for a few weeks to try to bring them down.
Along with 10% water change every 2 weeks.
Will try to attach my go to chart if anyone is interested.
SaylorsReef
New member
Nice, helpful chart Bill.
NeverSatisfied }Q
New member
Do you have any info/advice or link on the vitamin C dosing?
I may try this since you have had great success.
Tk's
Pufferpunk
New member
VITAMIN C DOSING CHART
Here are the directions:
Use this product:
http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=10178&at=0
$5 off coupon code: LUL789
To figure out how much to use, decide if you want to simply improve coral growth, spread, and color. If so, then you should dose around 5 ppm twice daily (down to 2-3 ppm works also). If you are having problems with coral or fish health, dose up to around 30 ppm twice daily.
Calculate the total net number of gallons in your tank (minus rocks, sand, etc). Enter that number here ______.
You will now need to do a little math. The amounts below are for 100 gallons of water so if you have 50 net gallons, cut the amounts shown below in half etc.
Dosing amounts using Iherb product:
1/4 tsp=1112 mg.
For every 100 gallons:
5 ppm ----- 1892 mg VC
10 ppm ---- 3785 mg VC
15 ppm ---- 5677 mg VC
20 ppm ---- 7570 mg VC
25 ppm ---- 9462 mg VC
30 ppm ---- 11355 mg VC
After you have figured out how much you want to dose at each dosing, enter that number here _____. This is your dose to be used twice a day.
Notes:
*Be sure your pH and alk are within normal reef limits before starting. Adjust if needed. Monitor weekly.
*Shoot for a ppm of around 5 or lower if only dosing for improved coral growth, coloration, and spread, also for better health/coloration of your fish. Shoot for higher amounts up to 30 ppm if you are having melting zoas or closed zoas and look for the causes of your problems as you dose. Higher doses of as much as 100ppm (for about 2 weeks) for fish illness. Check for high nitrates, pests, zoa pox, predators, and unstable water conditions.
*Dose low amounts and increase the amount slowly over the course of a few days to a couple weeks.
* If you notice an algae bloom (white stringy stuff) or increased scum on your glass then cut back by half until it disappears.
* Watch your skimmer, it will start to skim more.
* Dose the amount twice a day in a fast moving area of your sump or overflow. You may dilute the vitamin c in ro/di water then pour into overflow. If adding to sump, try and add the vitamin c after filtration such as skimmers and reactors. *Keep your Vitamin C bottle in the refrigerator. * If you have a question, ask here. I do my best to check these threads daily.
* The instructions in this guide and throughout this thread are based on using pure Sodium Ascorbate, not vitamin c pills and other non-buffered forms of vitamin c.
Be sure to take some "before" pics!
Here are the directions:
Use this product:
http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=10178&at=0
$5 off coupon code: LUL789
To figure out how much to use, decide if you want to simply improve coral growth, spread, and color. If so, then you should dose around 5 ppm twice daily (down to 2-3 ppm works also). If you are having problems with coral or fish health, dose up to around 30 ppm twice daily.
Calculate the total net number of gallons in your tank (minus rocks, sand, etc). Enter that number here ______.
You will now need to do a little math. The amounts below are for 100 gallons of water so if you have 50 net gallons, cut the amounts shown below in half etc.
Dosing amounts using Iherb product:
1/4 tsp=1112 mg.
For every 100 gallons:
5 ppm ----- 1892 mg VC
10 ppm ---- 3785 mg VC
15 ppm ---- 5677 mg VC
20 ppm ---- 7570 mg VC
25 ppm ---- 9462 mg VC
30 ppm ---- 11355 mg VC
After you have figured out how much you want to dose at each dosing, enter that number here _____. This is your dose to be used twice a day.
Notes:
*Be sure your pH and alk are within normal reef limits before starting. Adjust if needed. Monitor weekly.
*Shoot for a ppm of around 5 or lower if only dosing for improved coral growth, coloration, and spread, also for better health/coloration of your fish. Shoot for higher amounts up to 30 ppm if you are having melting zoas or closed zoas and look for the causes of your problems as you dose. Higher doses of as much as 100ppm (for about 2 weeks) for fish illness. Check for high nitrates, pests, zoa pox, predators, and unstable water conditions.
*Dose low amounts and increase the amount slowly over the course of a few days to a couple weeks.
* If you notice an algae bloom (white stringy stuff) or increased scum on your glass then cut back by half until it disappears.
* Watch your skimmer, it will start to skim more.
* Dose the amount twice a day in a fast moving area of your sump or overflow. You may dilute the vitamin c in ro/di water then pour into overflow. If adding to sump, try and add the vitamin c after filtration such as skimmers and reactors. *Keep your Vitamin C bottle in the refrigerator. * If you have a question, ask here. I do my best to check these threads daily.
* The instructions in this guide and throughout this thread are based on using pure Sodium Ascorbate, not vitamin c pills and other non-buffered forms of vitamin c.
Be sure to take some "before" pics!
NeverSatisfied }Q
New member
Thank you!!
Sorry to hear about that palyfinger
Sorry to hear about that palyfinger
Pufferpunk
New member
Heh, I'll live...