Dentoid's Reeforama

[BigAl07]

Originally Posted by bluespotjawfish

Tell me more about what the vodka does?

It makes Me look GREAT!

No it feeds some type of bacteria reaction and some how, through black magic cures all of your ailements! I don't really know. I just remember the Euro-Reefers swear by it saying it reduces nitrates and all forms of nuisance algae. I will say this... I haven't had ANY nitrates or hair algae on ME in years *LOL*

[framerguy]

I know I said I used mg's but I meant ml's. Doh!

[Dentoid]

Lorraine, both Vodka and sugar provides a carbon source for the anaerobic bacteria to proliferate. Thereby, reducing the nitrate load. More bacteria, more nitrate removal.

I'm using AZNO3, which is a nitrate reducing product. Basically it's sugar water with some enzymes, ptylin and amylase, which convert starch to sugar. The instructions on the bottle start out with 2 drops per 50-60 gallons the first day, 4 drops/60g the second, 8 drops/60g the third and so forth until the eigth day then it's 1/4 fluid oz/60g everyday for thirty days. It says that the tank may become cloudy (bacterial bloom), but I did not double the dose for my 90 so there has been no change in clarity at all. In other words I am only using half the doseage recommended. This is how Melev did it and I'm following his dosing regime.

At the end of the treatment it is recommended to wean the tank off of the product slowly. Then use it as a maintenance product. So far so good.

Greg, did you get a reduction in nitrates with your vodka dosing regime?

Al, everybody looks good after a few shots of vodka!

[hma]

Originally Posted by bluespotjawfish

Tell me more about what the vodka does?

The ethanol dose in the Aquarium has nothing to do with nitrate filters based on ethanol (vodka filter, or Nitratreductor (Aqua Medic)). Even with the dose of vanilla sugar, honey or sugar grapes, it is not comparable.

The vodka method is based on the fact that heterotrophe bacteria depend in anoxical environment (oxygen free) from a carbon source dependent, to convert the nitrate in gaseous nitrogen (N2). Wodka is the kind carbon, which converts the nitrat to N2, a harmless gas escapes into the atmosphere.

The whole process is much more complicated, he is not to be explained with few sentences.

nitrite → nitrate → nitric oxide → nitrous oxide → dinitrogen gas

2NO3- + 10e- + 12H+ → N2 + 6H2O

[framerguy]

Greg, did you get a reduction in nitrates with your vodka dosing regime?

Actually I did. While I was dosing ( I haven't done it for about 6 weeks months now) my nitrates were 0 but I was getting a bit of an algae bloom and blamed it on the vodka. It turns out it was probably the Dt's phyto so I'll probably start back with the vodka. My nitrates are +-6 now. I've cut way back on the phyto and the algae blooms have subsided.

[BigAl07]

Originally Posted by framerguy

Actually I did. While I was dosing ( I haven't done it for about 6 weeks months now) my nitrates were 0 but I was getting a bit of an algae bloom and blamed it on the vodka. It turns out it was probably the Dt's phyto so I'll probably start back with the vodka. My nitrates are +-6 now. I've cut way back on the phyto and the algae blooms have subsided.

Greg I had the same thing while feeding phyto... actually in Al's book of rules it says, "Phyto = Algae Bloom".

[Craig Manoukian]

As always HMA, clear and straight to the point!

[framerguy]

As I understand it, the ethanol (vodka) promotes the growth of bacterias that feed on nitrates and phosphates. These bacteria uptake these nitrates and phosphates but must be removed before they die and leach them back into the water. A protein skimmer is used to remove them, so your skimmer will work overtime while dosing vodka. The principle is similar to an turf algal filter where the algae uptakes nutrients then is harvested to remove them. One caveat of vodka is an overdose can cause algae blooms, which is why I stopped using it for a while. It doesn't take much vodka. I used 1ml in my 75g.

[hma]

Originally Posted by framerguy

As I understand it, the ethanol (vodka) promotes the growth of bacterias that feed on nitrates and phosphates. These bacteria uptake these nitrates and phosphates but must be removed before they die and leach them back into the water. A protein skimmer is used to remove them, so your skimmer will work overtime while dosing vodka. The principle is similar to an turf algal filter where the algae uptakes nutrients then is harvested to remove them. One caveat of vodka is an overdose can cause algae blooms, which is why I stopped using it for a while. It doesn't take much vodka. I used 1ml in my 75g.

Yes it is true Greg, at the start of a vodka dose the skimmer slightly more than normal work and should work. This is not because they filter pollutants more, it will rather be more work because the process of nitrit / nitrate and phosphate oxygen bound, the water ABOUT the skimmer to be returned to ensure that our animals should not be an oxygen deficiency die.

In a few cases, it may happen that bacteria films in the water pipes and on the stones, etc. can be seen. This bacterial film is also strengthened by the skimmer at this. Are these bacteria films visible , we must urgently reduce the dosage.

[Frankie]

Very educating. I have a question though, After weaning the tank off of the vodka do you need to 12 step the fish?

[hma]

Originally Posted by Frankie

Very educating. I have a question though, After weaning the tank off of the vodka do you need to 12 step the fish?

Hi Frankie, the dosage of vodka has no impact on our fish or invertebrates with the only exception to this, with a strong dose of vodka significantly more oxygen is consumed. I hope I have understood the question correctly?

[framerguy]

Originally Posted by hma

Yes it is true Greg, at the start of a vodka dose the skimmer slightly more than normal work and should work. This is not because they filter pollutants more, it will rather be more work because the process of nitrit / nitrate and phosphate oxygen bound, the water ABOUT the skimmer to be returned to ensure that our animals should not be an oxygen deficiency die..

I didn't think it was working harder because of pollutants but because of the extra bacteria it was removing. You WANT it to work harder! It's exporting the excess nitrates and phosphates the bacteria have consumed. Thanks Heinz!

Heinz...Frankie was making a funny!! Good one Frankie!

[Craig Manoukian]

Clown fish are the only 12 step candidates!

[Dentoid]

Here are a couple of random shots. Status quo in the Reeforama. Spotty has been tearing up the place.

Kiss! Kiss!


Charlie the Cherub.


This flower anemone is doing great. Apparently very hardy because I haven't been able to keep bubble tips alive.


"...You want a piece of me?"


The face off! Usually these two don't see each other, but Spotty decided to check out the right side of the tank and encountered a foe.

[BigAl07]

WOW! Great pics buddy! Very nice indeed!!