Volka for SPS systems

[dnsfpl]

+1 vodka did a great job in reducing excessive nutrients

cheers

[RockyBoy]

Which vodkha brand normally you all use?

[yooyoo99]

Using SMiff or something like that, be careful of those new type with flavour....cheapest better right

Those on the market seems to be 40% alcohol

[MarcoVan]

Which vodkha brand normally you all use?

Absolut Vodka, anything 80 proof. 40 proof also can, just that using 40 proof follows a different chart (:

Also,

buy from DFS. Anyone going overseas this month? Get Absolut from DFS. You pay like $23 Sing for a 1L bottle compared to $64 in NTUC or other places. The cheapest non-DFS price I can find is at my friend's wine ###### liquershop called Barwerkz. Smirff 750ml going for like $35+.

Happy Reefing,

Marc J.

[HellBliss]

Hi HellBliss,

What's the proportion of each item utilised in regards to vsv that you are using?

VSV = Volka / Sugar / Vinegar

hey joe, i use 85% vodka, 15% vinegar and 1 teaspoon of sugar for every 100ml of solution.

[Greywolf]

hey joe, i use 85% vodka, 15% vinegar and 1 teaspoon of sugar for every 100ml of solution.

Hi all, I would like to ask what type of vinegar do you guys use ?

Thought of trying this out for my system.

[LaW]

Hi all, I would like to ask what type of vinegar do you guys use ?

Thought of trying this out for my system.

those you found in supermarket. get the pure one with no additives.

[Greywolf]

those you found in supermarket. get the pure one with no additives.

thanks mate

[clee123]

those you found in supermarket. get the pure one with no additives.

sorry....chinese type (dark) or ang mok type (transparent) ?

[gchoo]

sorry....chinese type (dark) or ang mok type (transparent) ?

transparent one.

[Gouldian]

Which vodkha brand normally you all use?

Smirnoff is cheapest the last I bought from DFS.

For duty-paid vodka, I can get Smirnoff at $36 before GST (minimum 6 bottles) and Flieschmann at $33 before GST (minimum 6 bottles).

I still think its better to get from DFS anyway, 700ml will last very long.

[yooyoo99]

Buy from DFS need to show passport then cheaper? Is this true?

Walk-in for locals also entitled to cheaper pricing?

Never purchase from DFS before. Pls advise

[Gouldian]

I read Vodka increases both the good and bad bacteria.

I do notice some caluliflower growth on my regal angel.

Not sure if that is due to the effect of the carbon dosing, but I turn on my UV just in case.

Anyone has such encounters or any downside of this dosing regime?

You are right bro, bacteria that feeds on carbon will thrive in the tank regardless whether they are beneficial to our hobby or not.

I figure if we were to introduce beneficial bacteria culture in the first place then encourage the growth with carbon dosing. We should be able to minimize or control the population of 'bad' bacteria within our systems.

[Gouldian]

Buy from DFS need to show passport then cheaper? Is this true?

Walk-in for locals also entitled to cheaper pricing?

Never purchase from DFS before. Pls advise

We are only allowed to buy from DFS if we leave the Singapore more than 2 nights. If I remember correctly leaving for Malaysia does not qualify for duty-free even if you fly first class.

Those DFS in town do not sell to Singaporean.

[pokmingsheng]

We are only allowed to buy from DFS if we leave the Singapore more than 2 nights. If I remember correctly leaving for Malaysia does not qualify for duty-free even if you fly first class.

Those DFS in town do not sell to Singaporean.

+1

just came back from Penang,

its true...

Malaysia is considered as "domestic flights",

does not qualify for duty-free...

[thairun]

Which vodkha brand normally you all use?

I used Glenn Vodka at $21 cheaper than Absolute Vodka about $64.

Both content 40% Alchohol

Thanks Marc to highliten the DSB issue. Obviously, I noticed the bad bac ie cyno, but restricted to the refugium itself thanks god. Lot of it. I read there are 12 bac in the sea good and bad. I just dont know which bac tt contributing directly to the zoosenthalae (dont know spell correctly or not) tt living in the SPS cell tissue. Do I have to back off the dosing? and slowly reduced my bioload and go back to the basic? Or I introduce the good bac like Mb7/probidio etc? Anyone care to share where to get those? Cld not find at RD even Polyart.

Any expert can address my problem here? Wanted to know how actually to regain my pink/red sps color back. Other color seem no problem.

Sorry Joe P dont mean to hijack your thread. Wish to share my experience.

[MarcoVan]

You are right bro, bacteria that feeds on carbon will thrive in the tank regardless whether they are beneficial to our hobby or not.

I figure if we were to introduce beneficial bacteria culture in the first place then encourage the growth with carbon dosing. We should be able to minimize or control the population of 'bad' bacteria within our systems.

In carbon dosing,

we are merely tipping the balance in favour of 'good' bacteria and that's a delicate balance (:

Happy Reefing,

Marc J.

[MarcoVan]

Below is a checklist I've found in RC under Sonny's thread.

Enjoy.

Quote from http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthre...93#post16159393

MB7 (Bottle Instructions.)

+

Vodka (or carbon) Dosing - http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php

=========================

Probiotic Reef Keeping.

Time to dose = during lights on seems best. MB7 into the display. Vodka into the sump.

Rules

1) Need a good skimmer

Noticed in Water testing

1) high nitrates = increase vodka as per instructions.

2) no Nitrate/Phos change in LONG time = try another carbon source like vinegar, sugar, biofule...

3) low nitrates = maintain till 0 then reduce to maintenence levels of vodka

4) Increase in Alk = stop dosing Cal / alk, test water change h20 for alk level. Decrease with large water changes and/or chemicals if it gets bad. Corals may stop taking Cal/ALK while getting used to Probiotic system & increased light.

4) new tank/build = follow instructions, stay close to the low side of dosing.

5) Phosphate being high = a round of GFO

Noticed in Algae/Bacteria Reaction

1) Bacterial Blooms (slimy white strings) = too much bacteria, decrease vodka dosing.

2) algae on glass after increase of MB7 = reduce MB7

3) brown dusting or brown hair like stuff = decrease MB7 (also check http://www.rimlessreef.com/1/post/20...eament-of.html )

4) cyano = increase MB7 and/or lower/stop vodka dose. After the cyano has gone away restart the vodka from the initial or maintenence dose. If it's really bad consider a "lights out" period. If really really bad consider "Red Slime Remover."

5) peach fuzz = stop or decrease (especially vodka) dosing for a while (about a week or till the fuzz dies off) then start back up with the maintenance dose. OR This may also just go away in time.

6) glass and sand getting dirtier = dose more/feed less

Noticed in Live Stock Reaction

1) Corals losing color = more feeding, possibly Amino Acids, lower photo period an hour for a while.

2) Corals Burnt Tips = check alkalinity..get it to 7-8 dKH by stop dosing alk...maybe stop dosing EVERYTHING if it gets bad.

3) Monti caps bleaching = Cut the vodka dosage in half and stay there until the cap starts to color up and/or lower the lighting photoperiod for a bit or have a light "day off."

4) Everything dies = Blame the wife, kids, or something other than your own possible mistakes

Other

1) substrate hardening = keep it broken up and syphoned with water changes. Maintain a good high PH of 8.1 - 8.3

Sorry guys and ladies, I do not know a better way of posting this so I merely copy and paste. Hope this helps anyone who wants to do vodka dosing for a sps system. Basically IMHO, it's not 1+2=3 thing, quite difficult and must be damn hardworking on maintaining the dosage during the initial start-up.

So well, in short, good luck.

Any further problems and information just post it here. I'll go find the answers for you all haha (:

Happy Reefing,

Marc J.

[Joe_P]

Below is a checklist I've found in RC under Sonny's thread.

Enjoy.

Quote from http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthre...93#post16159393

MB7 (Bottle Instructions.)

+

Vodka (or carbon) Dosing - http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php

=========================

Probiotic Reef Keeping.

Time to dose = during lights on seems best. MB7 into the display. Vodka into the sump.

Rules

1) Need a good skimmer

Noticed in Water testing

1) high nitrates = increase vodka as per instructions.

2) no Nitrate/Phos change in LONG time = try another carbon source like vinegar, sugar, biofule...

3) low nitrates = maintain till 0 then reduce to maintenence levels of vodka

4) Increase in Alk = stop dosing Cal / alk, test water change h20 for alk level. Decrease with large water changes and/or chemicals if it gets bad. Corals may stop taking Cal/ALK while getting used to Probiotic system & increased light.

4) new tank/build = follow instructions, stay close to the low side of dosing.

5) Phosphate being high = a round of GFO

Noticed in Algae/Bacteria Reaction

1) Bacterial Blooms (slimy white strings) = too much bacteria, decrease vodka dosing.

2) algae on glass after increase of MB7 = reduce MB7

3) brown dusting or brown hair like stuff = decrease MB7 (also check http://www.rimlessreef.com/1/post/20...eament-of.html )

4) cyano = increase MB7 and/or lower/stop vodka dose. After the cyano has gone away restart the vodka from the initial or maintenence dose. If it's really bad consider a "lights out" period. If really really bad consider "Red Slime Remover."

5) peach fuzz = stop or decrease (especially vodka) dosing for a while (about a week or till the fuzz dies off) then start back up with the maintenance dose. OR This may also just go away in time.

6) glass and sand getting dirtier = dose more/feed less

Noticed in Live Stock Reaction

1) Corals losing color = more feeding, possibly Amino Acids, lower photo period an hour for a while.

2) Corals Burnt Tips = check alkalinity..get it to 7-8 dKH by stop dosing alk...maybe stop dosing EVERYTHING if it gets bad.

3) Monti caps bleaching = Cut the vodka dosage in half and stay there until the cap starts to color up and/or lower the lighting photoperiod for a bit or have a light "day off."

4) Everything dies = Blame the wife, kids, or something other than your own possible mistakes

Other

1) substrate hardening = keep it broken up and syphoned with water changes. Maintain a good high PH of 8.1 - 8.3

Sorry guys and ladies, I do not know a better way of posting this so I merely copy and paste. Hope this helps anyone who wants to do vodka dosing for a sps system. Basically IMHO, it's not 1+2=3 thing, quite difficult and must be damn hardworking on maintaining the dosage during the initial start-up.

So well, in short, good luck.

Any further problems and information just post it here. I'll go find the answers for you all haha (:

Happy Reefing,

Marc J.

Nice! thanks Marc for the nicely placed summary.

[Joe_P]

You are right bro, bacteria that feeds on carbon will thrive in the tank regardless whether they are beneficial to our hobby or not.

I figure if we were to introduce beneficial bacteria culture in the first place then encourage the growth with carbon dosing. We should be able to minimize or control the population of 'bad' bacteria within our systems.

Refering to good and bad bacteria, was wondering whether the introduction of Probiotics might tip the balance in favour of the good versus the bad bacteria issue ?

[Joe_P]

I used Glenn Vodka at $21 cheaper than Absolute Vodka about $64.

Both content 40% Alchohol

Any expert can address my problem here? Wanted to know how actually to regain my pink/red sps color back. Other color seem no problem.

Sorry Joe P dont mean to hijack your thread. Wish to share my experience.

Not an issue my friend.

This thread was started for the purpose of information and experience sharing. and I can see that we all are heading the right direction.

[Gouldian]

Refering to good and bad bacteria, was wondering whether the introduction of Probiotics might tip the balance in favour of the good versus the bad bacteria issue ?

Hi Joe,

I personally believe so.

I remember a couple of years back when reefers were trying out the carbon theory by adding sugar, vinegar and vodka. Most started well but eventually realized that their tank condition deteriorated. It was then theorized that adding carbon source may cultivate a mono culture of bacteria depending on which will be more dominant.

Over the years, we have also seen the introduction of probiotics into many area in our life; from animal feeds to baby formulas.

Thus, I believe introducing probiotics and then feeding them is better than just adding any carbon source as we do not know what strains of bacteria in currently in our tank and will eventually dominate.

So far, I have had good experiences with Rowa, Prodibio, Pries and recently Microbe-lift.

[MarcoVan]

Hi Joe,

I personally believe so.

I remember a couple of years back when reefers were trying out the carbon theory by adding sugar, vinegar and vodka. Most started well but eventually realized that their tank condition deteriorated. It was then theorized that adding carbon source may cultivate a mono culture of bacteria depending on which will be more dominant.

Over the years, we have also seen the introduction of probiotics into many area in our life; from animal feeds to baby formulas.

Thus, I believe introducing probiotics and then feeding them is better than just adding any carbon source as we do not know what strains of bacteria in currently in our tank and will eventually dominate.

So far, I have had good experiences with Rowa, Prodibio, Pries and recently Microbe-lift.

^ +1

Happy Reefing,

Marc J.

[RockyBoy]

You are right bro, bacteria that feeds on carbon will thrive in the tank regardless whether they are beneficial to our hobby or not.

I figure if we were to introduce beneficial bacteria culture in the first place then encourage the growth with carbon dosing. We should be able to minimize or control the population of 'bad' bacteria within our systems.

Should keep on dosing the beneficial bacteria regularly.

[thairun]

Hi Joe,

I personally believe so.

I remember a couple of years back when reefers were trying out the carbon theory by adding sugar, vinegar and vodka. Most started well but eventually realized that their tank condition deteriorated. It was then theorized that adding carbon source may cultivate a mono culture of bacteria depending on which will be more dominant.

Over the years, we have also seen the introduction of probiotics into many area in our life; from animal feeds to baby formulas.

Thus, I believe introducing probiotics and then feeding them is better than just adding any carbon source as we do not know what strains of bacteria in currently in our tank and will eventually dominate.

So far, I have had good experiences with Rowa, Prodibio, Pries and recently Microbe-lift.

Roger that, no worries when all the experts around!