Reef Central Online Community - View Single Post - Is carbon (vinegar) dosing killing my macro algae?

Subsea · 02/09/2018, 11:13 AM

Mitch,

I assume that you are operating a protein skimmer in conjunction with your vinegar dosing.

I do not subscribe to carbon dosing in a reef tank. Organic carbon feeds bacteria. The theory behind carbon dosing a reef tank is to remove organics, mostly in the form of bacteria.

All algae, coral zooanthelia is an algae, receive their carbon thru a process called
“carbon fixation”. Carbon dioxide in the athmosphere combines to form alkalinity, carbonate and bicarbonate. Alkalinity coupled with photosynthesis form glucose, the building block of organic biomass.

Drop the use of foam fractionation and quite feeding bacteria. Everything in your tank is competing for nutrients. Don’t encourage the wrong bacteria.

Other nutrients besides nitrogen & phosphate are required by macro. Iron is often a limiting factor. You did not say what macro.

Read what Russ Kronwetter says about macro algae on free info link at his website.

https://www.marineplantbook.com

02/09/2018, 11:13 AM	#2
Subsea Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 1,882	Mitch, I assume that you are operating a protein skimmer in conjunction with your vinegar dosing. I do not subscribe to carbon dosing in a reef tank. Organic carbon feeds bacteria. The theory behind carbon dosing a reef tank is to remove organics, mostly in the form of bacteria. All algae, coral zooanthelia is an algae, receive their carbon thru a process called “carbon fixation”. Carbon dioxide in the athmosphere combines to form alkalinity, carbonate and bicarbonate. Alkalinity coupled with photosynthesis form glucose, the building block of organic biomass. Drop the use of foam fractionation and quite feeding bacteria. Everything in your tank is competing for nutrients. Don’t encourage the wrong bacteria. Other nutrients besides nitrogen & phosphate are required by macro. Iron is often a limiting factor. You did not say what macro. Read what Russ Kronwetter says about macro algae on free info link at his website. https://www.marineplantbook.com __________________ Laissez les bons temps rouler, Patrick Castille Current Tank Info: 10,000G. Greenhouse Macro Growout Last edited by Subsea; 02/10/2018 at 04:41 AM.