Vodka Dosing

[reef keeper]

im having a heck of a time knocking down the beautiful hair algae I have. I know I have high nitrate and phosphate (50g wc every week to knock it down)

The rocks are leaching it.

I'm using gfo, and limiting the lighting, but am looking for a way to knock it down faster.

I've read about vodka dosing, but am not sure if that's really a good option.

Any other ways to make a dent? I can't use LAnthanum because I have tangs in the tank.

 

[David Caplan]

N03P04x is vodka dosing made easy. That's what I use.

 

[Alberych]

Manual removal so that as the algae dies off it doesn't release the nutrients back into the tank. Both no3po4x and vodka are just based on providing bacteria with a carbon source and then they outcompete the algae for nutrients. They're ultimately exported through your skimmer. I think no3po4x is methanol, and vodka is ethanol. Makes no difference to the bac. In the US vodka was the cheap option... here with the LCBO prices... Red Sea stuff might be cheaper!

Biopoellets are another option; they are basically a solid food source/substrate for your bac, they get exported when they release into the water column and are skimmed out. These can be used in a GFO reactor or similar.

Sulfur denitrator would outcompete the hair algae, but would not deal with po4. Offers very aggressive nitrate control though; releases it as nitrogen gas, and can let you tweak the drip level to allow for a small amount of nitrate through so you're not completely stripping it, which can be good for sps.

Algae scrubber would be the last option.

People have success with all of 'em.

 

[heath]

I had a HUGE hair algae issue when the 125 was set up.. ask Bart84, you needed a lawn mower to cut it... I used the vodka treatment, super easy, didn't bother any of the fish and it was gone within 6 weeks, I could see results within 4 to 5 days...google it... I used 2 small bottles of vodka, super cheap and it has never come back...good luck...

 

[TORX]

Look at vinegar vs vodka. I prefer vinegar for long term use. $2 for a large bottle of vinegar and better long term results.

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[Nonuser]

What's the ml per gallon?

Does anyone auto does vinegar ?

 

[TORX]

What's the ml per gallon?

Does anyone auto does vinegar ?

I auto dose vinegar.

 

[TORX]

http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index...ar-dosing-methodology-for-the-marine-aquarium

 

[reef keeper]

I ordered some of that Red Sea stuff and will try it for a month.

I have about 300g total volume, so keeping costs down makes vinegar a really good option. I'd be 10ml per day to start, which can just go in my ATO.

 

[Dr. Zoos]

I auto dose vinegar.

Like constantly? Why??? Just hoping to receive a lesson here thanks.

 

[TORX]

Like constantly? Why??? Just hoping to receive a lesson here thanks.

Yes, constantly, well daily I should say. Have a read. I am due to up mine today.

http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index...ar-dosing-methodology-for-the-marine-aquarium

Proper vinegar dosing will decrease nitrate levels by increasing bacterial populations, which are then skimmed out removing the nitrate within their cells. The bacteria may also be a good food source for many organisms, including sponges, effectively taking nitrate from the water and incorporating it into the large organisms in the aquarium.

 

[Salty Cracker]

I went with the bio pellets just to not have to manually add something every day.

GFO and watch your feeding. If your substrate is getting dark, try easing off some of the food. I get problems when I spot feed sps (like I have been lately). Aggressive GFO use can counter it.

 

[reef keeper]

Substrate isn't really dark and I don't feed much at all. I guess it's just part the cycle, but it's ugly and is just a real PITA.

I might do some vinegar in the ATO and see hat happens

 

[Nonuser]

Scrape the tank and start over, it's beyond repair

 

[Hong]

Just pick up a sea hare...eat gha pretty good. I let you know how it goes... may need to get rid of if my tank is clean. I'm carbon dosing now.

 

[nathan]

Yeah my sea hare is a pig. Also spiny star snails are huge hair algae eaters

 

[teebone110]

In the past, I have done vinegar with a BRS doser. You need precise dosing for it to be effective. If you add it into your ATO you will create more issues. Get a doser or manually dose a small specific amount per day and observe results.

I found it tough to dial in the correct dosing for effective vinegar dosing, but it was very cost efficient. I found that biopellets work the best for me.

You just need to control the amount of pellets, and the tumble, then balance this with your feedings and you should be good to go.

Another option to look into is the All In One pellets, I don't use them, but they have GFO added to the pellets to improve phosphate reduction.

As Salty said, pellets are easy- no dosing, just set and forget.

In my opinion, its going to take some time to for the nitrate and phosphate to leave your rock.
I used similar flat rock and Pukani and I had high nitrates >40ppm for about 6 months

 

[reef keeper]

Do I need a special reactor for pellets? Or would a regular brs reactor work?