reef finatic Posted May 1, 2016 Report Share Posted May 1, 2016 I had a Phosphate spike. I took my filter sock out of the sump as I believe this and expired GFO was the culprit. Caught it in time before I had a diatom and algae outbreak, but want to experiment with vodka dosing as a backup control for my phosphate reactor. What is recommended dosage for a 300 display with a 100 sump? What proof of vodka, I'm assuming maximum proof is better so I'm not feeding other things into the system besides carbon. Is a diaphragm dosing pump recommended, or measure and dose on a timed interval? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReefNewby82 Posted May 1, 2016 Report Share Posted May 1, 2016 Here is a good read on vodka dosing David. I have not done this but 1 time and I used a middle shelf Absolutely vodka as it is distilled a couple of times in believe. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke33 Posted May 2, 2016 Report Share Posted May 2, 2016 When you say phosphate spike, how high did they get? I have dosed vodka for a lengthy period of time in the past. My water was extremely clear but i basically turned my tank sterile. I would start off dosing low, like 5ml a day for a 300g and monitor if you are going to do it. Use a decent 80 proof vodka. You don't need grey goose but something like Brandon said would work. Tito's, Absolute....etc no dark eye's, leave that for the college kids to kill off brain cells. Also for anyone carbon dosing you need to have a decent skimmer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatO Posted May 2, 2016 Report Share Posted May 2, 2016 I get the cheapest crap vodka I can find. And I don't measure. Just dump it in. But don't do it like I do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer82 Posted May 2, 2016 Report Share Posted May 2, 2016 I used to do this year's ago when I had a 20g setup. Seemed to do alright because I had crap for equipment. My best thing was a sea clone skimmer. Lol. I was able to keep a coral banded, a couple fish, a rock flower nem about 5" across that ate chromis and had decent success before I tore it down and took a break when our oldest was born. The chart Brandon posted is what I went by. I just dosed it with one of those tiny syringes that measured in .1 increments. I think I have a few lying around here if anyone is interested in giving this a shot and can bring to the meet if I can track them down. I just used grey goose because it's what I like and had it and I probably accidentally spilled more pouring a shot than I would in the tank in a month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin1300 Posted May 5, 2016 Report Share Posted May 5, 2016 Also realize that this is going to have very small impact on phosphate. If you've not looked at Redfield ratio do as you'll see that it's more effective with nitrates and if you don't have nitrates phosphates can't be consumed. Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef finatic Posted May 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2016 Nitrates are 0. PO4 is 38 ppb. Doing another GFO change to see if I can drive that number to 0. I will hold off experimenting with Absolut as I have no nitrates. Probably need to look at changing RODI particulate and carbon filters as they may be the phosphate source, our tap water is 78 ppb PO4. RO specific gravity is 1.000, need to invest in a hand held TDS meter to see what solids I am putting into the tank. Thanks everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wsc Posted May 8, 2016 Report Share Posted May 8, 2016 I started using Svedka vodka in a spray bottle as aquarium glass cleaner. Works great & I don't worry about using it near the tank. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin1300 Posted May 14, 2016 Report Share Posted May 14, 2016 That's a good idea, see that somewhere? Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke33 Posted May 15, 2016 Report Share Posted May 15, 2016 Nitrates are 0. PO4 is 38 ppb. Doing another GFO change to see if I can drive that number to 0. I will hold off experimenting with Absolut as I have no nitrates. Probably need to look at changing RODI particulate and carbon filters as they may be the phosphate source, our tap water is 78 ppb PO4. RO specific gravity is 1.000, need to invest in a hand held TDS meter to see what solids I am putting into the tank. Thanks everyone. I wouldn't try to pull po4 to 0 as you really want to target .02-.08 as that works best for your corals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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