Anyone currently Vodka Dosing?????

I am currently Vodka Dosing for the first time and wanted to get some different dose recommendations. I have a 180G with lot's of livestock. Does the livestock and the Nitrate levels determine the dosing amount or is there a general dosing amount???

 

This is the best article I know of

Vodka Dosing by 'Genetics' and 'Stony_Corals' - Reefkeeping.com

 

Thanks DaDaAtlanta. I added to your Karma to equal 2010 for the new year.

COOL

 

+1 on following the vodka dosing article on reefkeeping.com. As you'll see, you start with a small dose and slowly increase it until your nitrates and phosphates start to drop then maintain the current dose.

You have to have a descent skimmer and run carbon to absorb and remove bacterial byproducts. I currently dose a mix of vodka, sugar and vinegar and run a hybrid zeovit style system which I am still fine tuning.

 

What happens if I dose without the skimmer?

 

Well, the vodka dosing will reduce oxygen in your tank due to the bacteria bloom so for one it will help to oxygenate and the second reason is that it skims out all the nasty stuff workin to lower your nitrates. Your skimmer will be in overdrive. I have been using sugar but plan on switching to vodka here soon and I also have been gettin some nasty skimmate.

 

You need a skimmer for this type of filtration, not only will it remove bacterial byproducts and organics which can cause problems but also to aerate your aquarium. Vodka dosing is aimed at increasing bacterial activity and biomass which will use nitrate as an oxygen source, and phosphate plus carbon in biomass. Some of the organic bacteria will also use up a lot of oxygen which is fine if you have a descent skimmer, but will cause problems for you live stock if your not.