Starting an experiment with vodka For All To Witness

danorth · #1 05/02/2006, 12:07 PM

I have a 55 gallon fowlr with severe algae. I do not have time to do the usual upkeep on water changes with this tank since it is at work. I want to try the vodka method. I believe it is 1.5 ml per 20 gallons each day. Am I correct? I want to document this and do it right with before/after pics......I am looking for assistance though to make it right.

Thank you.

syndrome · #2 05/02/2006, 02:24 PM

I started dosing about 2 weeks ago. My nitrates droped from about 50 to 10

danorth · #3 05/02/2006, 02:31 PM

How much did you dose (???ml/???gallon)? How often?

woodywoo · #4 05/02/2006, 03:04 PM

I dose Vodka in my SPS tank. I was Told by my LFS that 1 drop per every 20 gallons. He does it and it looks great. I started about a month ago with my Vodka. I think it works great. I almost can't believe it.

fishykid9212 · #5 05/02/2006, 03:15 PM

Yes I have got my nitrates from 50ppm to 0ppm. Here is the thread http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...5&pagenumber=1
Any questions, I will be happy to answer

BTW use sugar instead, it does the same thiong but it is cheaper. I am experimenting with it now

danorth · #6 05/02/2006, 03:17 PM

All I need to know is if it is every day or not.

fishykid9212 · #7 05/02/2006, 03:20 PM

I do it every day, and danorth do you have a skimmer ???

danorth · #8 05/02/2006, 04:01 PM

yes I do, I will keep it cleaned out every day.

Cutiewitbooty · #9 05/02/2006, 06:06 PM

I wonder if you have to have a skimmer to use this method?

danorth · #10 05/02/2006, 06:20 PM

from what I've read it sets the skimmers into hyper mode.

Cord · #11 05/02/2006, 06:51 PM

Danorth, what are your Nitrate and Phosphate levels? Document the levels during the experiment and keep us posted.

danorth · #12 05/02/2006, 06:53 PM

Will do, I will test the nitrates tomorrow, don't have a phosphate test....I will begin the dosing tomorrow also. Daily updates!!!! except weekends, wont be there!

RobbyG · #13 05/02/2006, 07:07 PM

I have read about Vodka before and it sounds very interesting, I look forward to hearing your results. One thing that I watched with great interest was an episode of "Mythbusters" where they did a tests between Carbon Filtered Vodka and Non filtered and they seemed to believe that the Carbon actually purified and enhanced the Vodka! When I saw that I wondered what a RO filter would do for the Vodka. My idea was to pour a measured amount of Vodka into the inlet of the RO and let it go through the whole system and get stored in my pressure Tank. Seemed like it might have two benefits: One the Vodka might be purer and two the dosage would be gradually dispensed over a 2 day period.
Just something to think about, I have never tried it but it seemed like a workable idea.

danorth · #14 05/02/2006, 07:22 PM

I saw that too, but the booze judge could still tell the 'top shelf' vodka as king of the bunch.

You guys won't believe the amount of hair algae on the rocks!!! It is like 1 inch+ long, some could be 2 inches long. I just know the nitrates are going to be off the charts to begin with.

fishykid9212 · #15 05/02/2006, 08:29 PM

danorth what fish do you have in the tank? If you dont have any then you can dump the whols bottle in

jk You can put more than you should to get it out faster since you can't kill anything. Watch your skimer carefully I actually had to unplug mine because it filled up to fast. Hers a picture of one days worth.

and here is 15minutes worth when I plugged it back in

BTW if anyone wants my aim screen name so I can answer questions rather quickley just PM me and I will be glad to give it to you to help. I have done this successfully, Nitrates from off the charts to 0 in 2 weeks without a water change

danorth · #16 05/02/2006, 09:15 PM

This is a tank with 3 triggers and an eel. They are a hardy bunch. Once I see how this works on this tank, I may try it on my 135 at home that has polyps some stuff I don't know the name to and 2 different anenomes.

It makes the water cloudy at first right? How long until it clears up?

OkiNano · #17 05/02/2006, 11:20 PM

I'm also very interested in this, what kind of vodka are you guys using. Is it worth using in my 37gal. Reef tank and will it harm anything in the tank?...Thanks everyone

danorth · #18 05/02/2006, 11:22 PM

I am going to use regular cheapo 80 proof vodka. We shall see.....

Triterium · #19 05/03/2006, 06:24 AM

Is there a reason why people add vodka? Why not everclear or something else? I dumped in a bunch of hydrogen peroxide into my tank and my skimmer went crazy. I dumped in half a bottle of rum yesterday. We'll see what happens. I have a huge biolad with over 10' of eels.. 300-400 gallons.

Cutiewitbooty · #20 05/03/2006, 08:42 AM

uhhh.....................................

danorth · #21 05/03/2006, 12:04 PM

Okay, Day 1 has begun.

spg 1.024
pH 8.5
Nitrate 30 ppm (lower than I thougt it would be!!!)
Ca 460

I added 3 ml straight into the tank. Fish do not appear stressed.

danorth · #22 05/03/2006, 12:06 PM

Check my gallery for the Day 1 pic.

Spidross · #23 05/03/2006, 12:18 PM

Hi
didn't want to hijack your thread, am also doing the same as you, with a similar thread, seems such a good idea from the posts that it can't help to have 2 threads with same aims running

Spidross · #24 05/03/2006, 12:20 PM

Just a quick one hows your skimer doing? Is it going berserk and how long after the photo was taken had you added the vodka?

Cheers bud

danorth · #25 05/03/2006, 12:21 PM

That's cool. I am interested in hearing your results. I want to do this with my 135 at home that has 2 anenomes in it. If I don't kill these fish, I'm starting it at home next.