Bingo1213 Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 I am in the process transferring everything from my 25 gallon mixed reef tank up to a 60 gallon system. I am planning on having a rather heavy bio-load (I know the risks associated with this as my 25 is heavily stocked and feed often) and was wondering if I can start carbon dosing from day one rather than waiting until a problem arises. The tank's parameters will stay very constant because of the calcium reactor, carbon/gfo reactor, UV sterilizer, skimmer and the APEX. I really like seeing lots of small fish occupying all the sections of the water column and to accomplish this I will have a slightly high bioload. Also are biopellets better than vodka? From what I have read everyone seems to have their own opinion in that area. Thanks in advance! Link to comment
seabass Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 Bio-pellets are easier than vodka, but vodka (sugar, and vinegar) can be (has to be) fine tuned. You'll probably have better luck starting with a clean tank, than by starting carbon dosing in a mature tank. Link to comment
Bingo1213 Posted December 14, 2014 Author Share Posted December 14, 2014 Is there any difference in how well pellets vs liquid carbon works? Link to comment
seabass Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 Vodka is the carbon source versus the bio-pellets. The whole dose of vodka gets introduced all at once (so you have to do daily dosing, and it's easier to overdose); the pellets are always available (you just replace them as needed). You'll need a bio-pellet reactor for the pellets, and you'll need a good skimmer for both. Testing is critical for determining the proper dose of vodka (or vinegar). Read up, there are new pellet products, as well as other commercially available systems like ZEOvit. A search on vodka versus biopellets will give you many results: http://www.bing.com/search?q=biopellets+vs+vodka Some other articles: http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/116-vinegar-dosing-methodology-for-the-marine-aquarium http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php http://www.wetwebmedia.com/CDosingArt.htm Most information suggests starting slow and building up (this includes the use of pellets). Do a lot of research before purchasing anything. You might decide to use another method (like a GFO reactor), or you may change your mind and to dose vinegar vs using the bio-pellet reactor. Link to comment
Bingo1213 Posted December 15, 2014 Author Share Posted December 15, 2014 Thank you for the information. After doing some reading I am going to try vodka as in the past I have used vinegar but did not like the ph swings. I have a BRS dosing pump that my apex will run to deliver the vodka. Should I wait until after the tank has cycled or start dosing immediately? Link to comment
Rehype Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 Thank you for the information. After doing some reading I am going to try vodka as in the past I have used vinegar but did not like the ph swings. I have a BRS dosing pump that my apex will run to deliver the vodka. Should I wait until after the tank has cycled or start dosing immediately? You could start dosing immediately if you want but I would recommend waiting until the tank has at least cycled and there are nitrates present. I've been dosing vodka for years and as a heads up if you want to alleviate issues with cyano add other bacteria such as microbacter7 or Zeobak for diversity. Link to comment
Bingo1213 Posted December 15, 2014 Author Share Posted December 15, 2014 Yes I have heard cyano is more of an issue with vodka than it is with vinegar. How often do you add other bacteria to your system? Link to comment
Rehype Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 Yes I have heard cyano is more of an issue with vodka than it is with vinegar. How often do you add other bacteria to your system? I add zeobak on a weekly basis and have had no traces of cyano. Link to comment
MySafeWordIsWhiskey Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 I add zeobak on a weekly basis and have had no traces of cyano. Hype is your system full zeo or are you vodka dosing? Link to comment
Rehype Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 Hype is your system full zeo or are you vodka dosing? Just vodka dosing Link to comment
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