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Vodka Dosing System From Day 1


Bingo1213

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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