Full Version: Vitamin C Dosing
I have just started dosing vitamin C to see if it will help a small colony of zoas recover from a bout of fungus, and for overall tank health. The evidence so far seems pretty compelling, but I would like to know if anyone else has had success dosing with vitamin C. So far, it's looking pretty good, but my dose is pretty low and I need to crank it up a bit.
For what is worth, I just started to use Reef Plus by Seachem, which is also a vitamin concentrated. So far, I just put half of the dosis and I can tell the results are amazing. Candy cane is opening wider and some zoas that I was kind of loosing are now starting to cover the LR where they were on. I know is a very short time to tell, but results are coming nicely. I can not wait to see the results with a few more dosis.
I loved the stuff!
I used it in my Zoa/SPS reef and everything looked great!
I still use it in my FW tanks as well as my Macro tank.
I used it in my Zoa/SPS reef and everything looked great!
I still use it in my FW tanks as well as my Macro tank.
What advantages did you see in your freshwater setup?
What kind of Vitamin C are ppl dosing, how much per gallon of tankwater, and how often?
QUOTE (evilc66 @ Feb 10 2009, 01:24 PM) 
I have just started dosing vitamin C to see if it will help a small colony of zoas recover from a bout of fungus, and for overall tank health. The evidence so far seems pretty compelling, but I would like to know if anyone else has had success dosing with vitamin C. So far, it's looking pretty good, but my dose is pretty low and I need to crank it up a bit.
vit C is great for softies. i suspect you have a skimmer. if not, i suggest you get one. i still dose C but usually either throw it into my skimmer chamber or put some in my fish food. it's also supposed to help w/ lateral line disease in fish and help clean livers. i noticed my fish seemed healthier (more active) after a few weeks use. if you have a skimmer, you'll notice a bunch of nog after dosing. the C seems to help pull out a lot of crap in the water. if you don't have a skimmer, you're water may develop a yellowish tinge. carbon should clear that up.
QUOTE (Avengerx77 @ Feb 10 2009, 01:50 PM)
For what is worth, I just started to use Reef Plus by Seachem, which is also a vitamin concentrated. So far, I just put half of the dosis and I can tell the results are amazing. Candy cane is opening wider and some zoas that I was kind of loosing are now starting to cover the LR where they were on. I know is a very short time to tell, but results are coming nicely. I can not wait to see the results with a few more dosis.
i used to use reef plus too but stopped because i noticed the back label listed copper as one of its ingredients. i contacted seachem and they told me the amount in there was fine. lots of people use and like reef plus. i just figured i'd let people know about the copper in it.
QUOTE (Weetabix7 @ Feb 10 2009, 03:23 PM)
What kind of Vitamin C are ppl dosing, how much per gallon of tankwater, and how often?
i use food grade ascorbic acid powder, buffered to pH 7.1. despite buffering, expect it to swallow up some of your ALK. i was using it w/o measuring ALK a while back and had my ALK drop to 80 ppm! i dose about a half teaspoon everyday into my 40 gallon system. been going at it about 6-8 months.
i bought mine from a health food store online and got a huge bottle for like 10 bucks shipped. this isn't mine but will probably work http://www.iherb.com/productdetails.aspx?c...p;utm_medium=f3
make sure it's pure, food grade, and in the powder form. there's a lot out there with fillers and other ingredients.
I've tried it once or twice, it did help. I used off the shelf vitamin C tablets. I dosed 5mg/gallon, once or twice a day. I also removed my carbon while I was using it.
Now I just use it if my zoas aren't looking healthy. It does a good job of bringing them out of a deteriorating cycle. Some use it constantly and that seems to work well too.
Now I just use it if my zoas aren't looking healthy. It does a good job of bringing them out of a deteriorating cycle. Some use it constantly and that seems to work well too.
Looks like I have a new trend to try out ! 
QUICK ! TO THE PROPAGATORMOBILE !!! *drugstore bound** AWAY !!!!!!!!!!!!
QUICK ! TO THE PROPAGATORMOBILE !!! *drugstore bound** AWAY !!!!!!!!!!!!
QUOTE
use food grade ascorbic acid powder, buffered to pH 7.1. despite buffering, expect it to swallow up some of your ALK. i was using it w/o measuring ALK a while back and had my ALK drop to 80 ppm! i dose about a half teaspoon everyday into my 40 gallon system. been going at it about 6-8 months.
How'd you buffer it?
wate so your like getting C tabs and putting them in your tank and letting them disolve.....
hmm
hmm
QUOTE (DHaut @ Feb 10 2009, 08:15 PM)
How'd you buffer it?
What he said !
here, I used to do it....:
QUOTE (burtbollinger @ Apr 16 2008, 02:07 PM)
BTW, I'm doisng vitamin C....heres the most cut/dry explaination I've seen:
from web:
You need to be careful dosing the VC. Here is a chart:
OK, in short, you should order some Sodium ascorbate or Calcium ascorbate from here: www.i-herb.com.
(you use this code: FOR500, you get $5 off at www.i-herb.com.)
You can drop it under your skimmer cup.
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
Be sure your pH is around 8.2 & your alk is around 9-10, before you start. Keep an eye on both (I test weekly, now that I notice no changes).
The method to be followed in all cases is as follows:
Day 1 : concentration of 5 ppm
Day 2 : concentration of 15 ppm
Day 3 : concentration of 30 ppm
Day 4 : concentration of 50 ppm
After day 4, continue treating with a concentration of 50 ppm for 10 more days to 30 more days, depending on the severity of what you are treating for.
The total treatment period is thus 14-30 days but can last longer if need be.
In real severe cases you may need to treat for an additional 7 days or more
During this entire period you should not be using activated carbon
During this entire period you should not be using any chemical filtration media either (e.g. resins or pads, SuperChem and the like).
The skimmer needs to continue to be in operation.
Note that when you use these kind of Vitamin C concentrations it really is of utmost importance that you monitor you pH and ensure that it does not suddenly drop.
Check the pH before you add the C but check a few minutes later also. If the pH is too low add a complete buffer immediately to re-establish your alkalinity and increase the pH of the water in the tank. This is very important indeed.
It is important too, to realize that your dKH must be in the 9 to 10 range to minimize the amount of cloudiness that will develop. It the dKH is high (e.g. 12 or more) you will initially have a lot more cloudiness. This will gradually disappear though as you continue the treatment.
Be sure to take some "before" pics!
from web:
You need to be careful dosing the VC. Here is a chart:
OK, in short, you should order some Sodium ascorbate or Calcium ascorbate from here: www.i-herb.com.
(you use this code: FOR500, you get $5 off at www.i-herb.com.)
You can drop it under your skimmer cup.
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
Be sure your pH is around 8.2 & your alk is around 9-10, before you start. Keep an eye on both (I test weekly, now that I notice no changes).
The method to be followed in all cases is as follows:
Day 1 : concentration of 5 ppm
Day 2 : concentration of 15 ppm
Day 3 : concentration of 30 ppm
Day 4 : concentration of 50 ppm
After day 4, continue treating with a concentration of 50 ppm for 10 more days to 30 more days, depending on the severity of what you are treating for.
The total treatment period is thus 14-30 days but can last longer if need be.
In real severe cases you may need to treat for an additional 7 days or more
During this entire period you should not be using activated carbon
During this entire period you should not be using any chemical filtration media either (e.g. resins or pads, SuperChem and the like).
The skimmer needs to continue to be in operation.
Note that when you use these kind of Vitamin C concentrations it really is of utmost importance that you monitor you pH and ensure that it does not suddenly drop.
Check the pH before you add the C but check a few minutes later also. If the pH is too low add a complete buffer immediately to re-establish your alkalinity and increase the pH of the water in the tank. This is very important indeed.
It is important too, to realize that your dKH must be in the 9 to 10 range to minimize the amount of cloudiness that will develop. It the dKH is high (e.g. 12 or more) you will initially have a lot more cloudiness. This will gradually disappear though as you continue the treatment.
Be sure to take some "before" pics!
QUOTE (davidr2340 @ Feb 10 2009, 08:42 PM)
How much are you guys dosing? I have some Zoas that have pretty much stopped growing. I would love to give this a try.
Thanks,
Brian
see above chart...
Thanks for the responses everyone. I'm glad to see that others have had good luck with it. I'm starting to see some results after 4 days of dosing low concentrations. A few more polyps of the colony of zoas that got hit with the fungus were a little open today. Best condition they have been in about a month. I have also noticed that my Orange Bam-Bams have better coloring now. The blue ring on the outside of the disc is far more pronounced now. So far so good.
Lets keep the comments rolling.
Lets keep the comments rolling.
I use Marine C vitamin C, for my 29 gallon (4 drops a day when i do dose)...and yeah i would definitly recommend it... I only use it when fish look ill or dare i say glimpses of ich rear their nasty heads. But have had success with it and glad to see that it has a positive affect on coral too. I only dose tho when something doesn't look/act right. Good stuff tho
Ok so how much should we dose per day to reach our goal ?
How much is to much ?
How much is to much ?
QUOTE (davidr2340 @ Feb 10 2009, 06:42 PM)
yeah i bought mine buffered and use the exact same stuff david posted. it'll last forever
To figure out how much to add, take the system volume (minus rock), multiply it by the desired concentration, then convert to liters. So, for a tank with a system volume of 100g after rock, and a 5ppm desired concentration:
100 x 5 x 3.785 = 1892.5mg
100 x 5 x 3.785 = 1892.5mg
What is the 3.785 ?
QUOTE (The Propagator @ Feb 11 2009, 05:54 PM)
What is the 3.785 ?
Converting gallons to liters.
Ah ha !!
Well I don't need to so
~
Well I don't need to so
~
Starting with liters Prop?
No I am starting with gallons.
Why do we have to convert it to liters then ?
AND... how do we find or where do we find how much to dose per day so as not to over dose ?
Why do we have to convert it to liters then ?
AND... how do we find or where do we find how much to dose per day so as not to over dose ?
You still have to use the formula. The dosing is based on liters, not gallons. This is a "gallons" country, so everyone starts with it, and coverts to liters. If you don't convert, the dosing will be very low.
There are many people in RC that are pushing 20ppm+ on some larger systems with good results. 5ppm is good for maintenance work, while gradually moving up to 20ppm will start dealing with various tank ailments.
There are many people in RC that are pushing 20ppm+ on some larger systems with good results. 5ppm is good for maintenance work, while gradually moving up to 20ppm will start dealing with various tank ailments.
I have been dosing my tank with vodka and vitamin-c for the past week with amazing results in such a short amount of time. I dose .2 ml (thats 2/10ths of a milliliter) of vodka per day, and 125 milligrams of vitamin-c per day (for around 5ppm). So far here's what I've noticed:
My browned out Montipora Spongodes now has green tips, keep in mind it was COMPLETELY brown.
My protein skimmer which hardly produced any skimmate before now explodes with nasty brown sludge.
My Nitrates were 10-20ppm consistently, now they are ZERO.
My Phosphates were .5-1ppm consistently, now they are ZERO.
My Zoanthids that had lost coloration are now turning amazing colors.
The unknown brown macro-algae that has been taking over my rocks is now in decline.
The GHA on my back wall is now in decline also.
The only slightly negative thing I have noticed is I have a bit of diatoms on the sandbed.
I am convinced that this stuff is amazing and it costs hardly anything to do. I will continue to do this on a regular basis.
Here are the two webpages that I refer to on the recommended dosages:
Vodka Dosing
Vitamin-C Dosing
My browned out Montipora Spongodes now has green tips, keep in mind it was COMPLETELY brown.
My protein skimmer which hardly produced any skimmate before now explodes with nasty brown sludge.
My Nitrates were 10-20ppm consistently, now they are ZERO.
My Phosphates were .5-1ppm consistently, now they are ZERO.
My Zoanthids that had lost coloration are now turning amazing colors.
The unknown brown macro-algae that has been taking over my rocks is now in decline.
The GHA on my back wall is now in decline also.
The only slightly negative thing I have noticed is I have a bit of diatoms on the sandbed.
I am convinced that this stuff is amazing and it costs hardly anything to do. I will continue to do this on a regular basis.
Here are the two webpages that I refer to on the recommended dosages:
Vodka Dosing
Vitamin-C Dosing
I saw a mention on another thread that sometimes SPS don't respond well to Vit. C dosing.
What's that about?
What's that about?
I think some of has to do with the type of vit c you use. The pill form with the fillers in higher concentrations have irritated them in some instances, and the calcium buffered vit c has also. The PH buffered stuff is the way to go.
I have used the unbuffered chewable tablets for the past couple days and haven't noticed anything yet in my sps changing for the worse. I have notice brighter color though !
I think maybe its the capsule form IE gel cap that does it ?
I am not at full dosage though either so ?
That may be why I have not noticed any wow factor change sin my zoas either ?
I think maybe its the capsule form IE gel cap that does it ?
I am not at full dosage though either so ?
That may be why I have not noticed any wow factor change sin my zoas either ?
Whats the ppm you are dosing to? I have seen a difference at 5ppm in almost all the corals for the week I have been dosing.
I have been following the dosing schedule set in the chart posted only I stopped at 20ppm and I am keeping it there for the duration in 2 100g systems and 1 40g system.
URU383 If you order from iHerb, use my referral code. You save $5 on your first order and I get some credit 
CLIFF'EH !!!!!!!!
WHAT APP !!
I'll look into Iherb... I don't like these tabs much. The binder makes my skimmer go ape like you wouldn't believe.
WHAT APP !!
I'll look into Iherb... I don't like these tabs much. The binder makes my skimmer go ape like you wouldn't believe.
I just ordered some. Found a code by googling and saved $5. Total cost + shipping = $12.79 I've been wanting to try this for a while. This thread pushed me over the edge.
which did u buy?
This.
or use my referral code LEM268 for iherb.
lol cliffy
lol cliffy
Vitamin C was not too good in my tank, I have a very stable tank, after reading many postings about C, I decided to follow the instruction and only dosing 1/2 suggested amount to try, first 2 weekw was awsome!
later time, my zoas of candy apple and lunar eclipse, they strat to shrink (which have been developing very well), lunar eclipse melting away within 3 days, and candy apple never open it's palys again, I've switched it to my frag tank which has never used any C dosing, it's gradually coming back, I'm still crossing my finger if I can save it.
Frankly, I'm not 100% sure it's C, but befoe and after, the only different thing was C, use it with cautious - that's all I can say, I'll never try it again... after all, my tank is in extremely good condition (shameless to say), don't know why I let the "C" idea drilling into my head in the first place.
I'm not a chemist and I'm not a marine biologist, I don't know if it's C, but sharing this with my own experience, use it with high cautious if you decide to try it.
later time, my zoas of candy apple and lunar eclipse, they strat to shrink (which have been developing very well), lunar eclipse melting away within 3 days, and candy apple never open it's palys again, I've switched it to my frag tank which has never used any C dosing, it's gradually coming back, I'm still crossing my finger if I can save it.
Frankly, I'm not 100% sure it's C, but befoe and after, the only different thing was C, use it with cautious - that's all I can say, I'll never try it again... after all, my tank is in extremely good condition (shameless to say), don't know why I let the "C" idea drilling into my head in the first place.
I'm not a chemist and I'm not a marine biologist, I don't know if it's C, but sharing this with my own experience, use it with high cautious if you decide to try it.
did you keep an eye on your ph and alk lvls while dosing. That is a big part of it.
I have been dosing vitamin-c and vodka for the past week and a half and my pH and alkalinity are spot-on. I'll post some more info later.
QUOTE (dtfleming @ Feb 14 2009, 06:43 PM)
did you keep an eye on your ph and alk lvls while dosing. That is a big part of it.
I bet that was it. Low or high alk or PH will do it.
SO I turned the light on my 40B a few minutes ago just to check it out. I haven't REALLY taken the time to asses things in it lately because its sort of a QT tank that generally take sa long time to see result sin given the specific disease etc., etc. of the coral in it. SOooo I only look in it about once a week basically. I test he water parameters but over all consider it a pot luck tank. Any who.. I peeked in there today.
I have been using the vitamin C in all tanks for the last 4 days. No WOW factors in the other tanks BUT after really checking out things in my 40B however I am noticing HUGE improvements in some sickly looking LPS I have in there at the moment.
In particular a chalice I bought about a year ago that lost all color when the MJ 1200 fried my prop system and every thing bleached out last year. After that the halides just bleached the crap out of it even worse and it remained a flesh tone brown color. ( was a BEAUTIFUL teal blue with bright yellow mouths ! ) Now since dosing the VC it is regaining a little of that color AND looking more filled out !
I checked a couple frags of it in my main prop system.. same results only a little less.. BUT the same results are definitely showing none the less !!
The zoas.. not yet. BUT I have just today reached what I am calling my max dosage at 25ppm ( some colonies have a funk about them so I feel I need it that high right now )
SO I figure after today's dosage I should see results by Wednesday at the latest going by others claims of success.
We shall see.....
I am hopeful though !
I have been using the vitamin C in all tanks for the last 4 days. No WOW factors in the other tanks BUT after really checking out things in my 40B however I am noticing HUGE improvements in some sickly looking LPS I have in there at the moment.
In particular a chalice I bought about a year ago that lost all color when the MJ 1200 fried my prop system and every thing bleached out last year. After that the halides just bleached the crap out of it even worse and it remained a flesh tone brown color. ( was a BEAUTIFUL teal blue with bright yellow mouths ! ) Now since dosing the VC it is regaining a little of that color AND looking more filled out !
I checked a couple frags of it in my main prop system.. same results only a little less.. BUT the same results are definitely showing none the less !!
The zoas.. not yet. BUT I have just today reached what I am calling my max dosage at 25ppm ( some colonies have a funk about them so I feel I need it that high right now )
SO I figure after today's dosage I should see results by Wednesday at the latest going by others claims of success.
We shall see.....
I am hopeful though !
QUOTE (Weetabix7 @ Feb 11 2009, 11:26 PM)
I saw a mention on another thread that sometimes SPS don't respond well to Vit. C dosing.
What's that about?
What's that about?
Vit-C does the same (along with other benefits) as other carbon sources in that it lowers nutrients. I've found that I need to feed more now to keep my SPS colored up as I was probably a bit too low in nutrients. I'm trying Coral Frenzy at the moment along with some AA supplementation. I am also going to remove my GFO since I think its a bit overkill.
Good to hear Prop.
QUOTE (merfin70 @ Feb 15 2009, 11:49 AM)
Vit-C does the same (along with other benefits) as other carbon sources in that it lowers nutrients. I've found that I need to feed more now to keep my SPS colored up as I was probably a bit too low in nutrients. I'm trying Coral Frenzy at the moment along with some AA supplementation. I am also going to remove my GFO since I think its a bit overkill.
I've been giving phyto feast a try lately.
I just finished up the bottle yesterday as a matter of fact.
Cant say that I have seen a real difference though.
I think I am sticking to my oyster eggs, aminos, phyto plex and chroma plex from now on.
Prop - What are you using for Aminos? I'm going to try them and am in need of a recommendation.
I like seachem reef plus.
Quick question....... will Vitamin C in ascorbic acid powder form also work ?
I keep seeing ascorbate ?
I keep seeing ascorbate ?
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