Treating with Vitamin C - Page 28

Pufferpunk · 04/11/2010, 09:51 AM

There's definitely something to this stuff! I looked into my BW Figure 8 puffer tank yesterday to see a 1/2 dead puffer. She had been keeping a darker belly all week & her tail was starting to look shorter & a bit frayed but yesterday, she was floating tail up near the overflow, being tossed around by the current. She had a film on her & refused even live blackworms. The other puffer was getting fat on them & all the other fish were fine. I added Melafix & 1/4 tsp VC to her tank. Kept checking on her until bedtime but no changes. Added another 1/2 tsp VC before bed. This morning the film is gone, her belly is white & she ate!!!

Handofdume · 04/11/2010, 10:21 AM

The actual concentration is 1690mg ascorbic acid and 210mg sodium per 1/2 tspn. For other ingredients its say none and says contains no sugar, starch, yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, shellfish or preservatives. I intend to switch to the brand your using because its a better value.

To make a long story short i am starting at such a low amount just because i'm leary of adding things to my tank. I battled a hair algae problem for a while and in a moment of insanity decided to add Algaefix Marine against my better judgement. It did kill a majority of the algae and it did not kill a single organism in my tank, however after 10 doses all my corals look po'd for a lack of a better term.

My hope with the C is to reduce my N/P lower to remove the remaining algae and with the apparent added benefits in the C boost my corals.

Pufferpunk · 04/11/2010, 10:23 AM

Starting slow is great!

studmaster · 04/12/2010, 07:28 PM

I posted a message regarding this topic before, I was just wondering if anyone that has a PH monitor has noticed any sort of drop after adding VC? I have a 50Gal saltwater tank and I add 1/2 tsp around 830pm. It went from 8.12 to 8.02 within an hour of adding the VC. That seems way too much. I am currently having PH problems, but it still shouldn't swing it that much, should it?

I have always thought that the VC feeds the bacteria that therefore produce CO2, which lowers the PH. My skimmer always goes nuts too after adding VC.

ludnix · 04/12/2010, 08:55 PM

What time does your light turn off? You should expect a pH drop at night from the change in photosynthesis.

studmaster · 04/13/2010, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ludnix

What time does your light turn off? You should expect a pH drop at night from the change in photosynthesis.

the PH drops happens way before the lights go off. I turn the lights off around 1130, and the drop happened within an hour of dosing the VC.

Pufferpunk · 04/13/2010, 08:20 AM

Are you using the buffered I-herb VC?

studmaster · 04/13/2010, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pufferpunk

Are you using the buffered I-herb VC?

yes the exact one!

studmaster · 04/13/2010, 06:10 PM

okay, so I tested it with half the dosage of VC, so 1/4 tsp and the PH dropped about half the amount. This time it went down from 8.11 to 8.06. VC definitely has an effect on my PH.

ludnix · 04/13/2010, 06:13 PM

That is very interesting. I would think that a small quantity of anything with that small of a pH difference could affect the overall pH of the solution that much. I wonder what is going on chemically there.

studmaster · 04/14/2010, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ludnix

That is very interesting. I would think that a small quantity of anything with that small of a pH difference could affect the overall pH of the solution that much. I wonder what is going on chemically there.

I think my PH isn't really that stable. My latest thoughts are that my system is low in magnesium because I drip Kalk. Apparently systems low in magnesium will have the calcium precipitate out quicker and therefore the PH will be lower and will have a wider swing during day/night. I think for the amount of Kalk I drip, my calcium levels should be higher than the 380-400 range I can't seem to get past.

Because my PH isn't that stable, the VC feeds the bacteria which produce CO2 and that causes my PH to drop. Just throwing out some ideas here.

Pufferpunk · 04/14/2010, 08:51 AM

I have always said (& posted in my instructions), to be sure your pH & alk are stable, before starting to dose VC.

studmaster · 04/15/2010, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pufferpunk

I have always said (& posted in my instructions), to be sure your pH & alk are stable, before starting to dose VC.

okay, what exactly do you mean by "stable". As in it doesn't swing much from day to night, and if so what's a stable range?

Pufferpunk · 04/15/2010, 08:24 AM

At least at acceptable ranges of ~8.2 for pH & 8-9 for alk.

studmaster · 04/15/2010, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pufferpunk

At least at acceptable ranges of ~8.2 for pH & 8-9 for alk.

yeah, I can't seem to get my PH that high. My alk is 11-12, and my PH is usually between 8 and 8.1

I'll figure out that issue first.

Pufferpunk · 04/15/2010, 11:01 PM

Good idea. Try some water changes. Check your Ca & Mg too.

studmaster · 05/02/2010, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pufferpunk

Good idea. Try some water changes. Check your Ca & Mg too.

Ca = 400ppm and Mg=1250
Been reading a bit more about carbon source dosing. In order for VC to remove nitrates, do I need a sand bed? Would this work if I just have a bare bottomed tank, or gravel on the bottom? From what I read dosing a carbon source would feed bacteria in the sand bed and they would eat nitrates.

Pufferpunk · 05/02/2010, 10:24 PM

I keep my Mg at around 1350.

studmaster · 05/03/2010, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by studmaster

Ca = 400ppm and Mg=1250
Been reading a bit more about carbon source dosing. In order for VC to remove nitrates, do I need a sand bed? Would this work if I just have a bare bottomed tank, or gravel on the bottom? From what I read dosing a carbon source would feed bacteria in the sand bed and they would eat nitrates.

So do I need a sand bed in order for this to work?

Pufferpunk · 05/03/2010, 08:12 AM

I have no sandbed in my 15g frag tank & I add 1/8 tsp VC to keep nitrate levels down.

Genetics · 05/03/2010, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pufferpunk

I have always said (& posted in my instructions), to be sure your pH & alk are stable, before starting to dose VC.

But don't high dosages of vitamin C interfere with alkalinity tests?

Pufferpunk · 05/03/2010, 09:13 AM

Interfere with the test or just with alk in general? It does change your alk slightly. I know I did adjust my dosing of alk after I started dosing VC but everything is very stable & within normal range after dosing VC for almost 3 years now.

redfishsc · 05/03/2010, 04:38 PM

I've noticed that ramping up Vitamin C dosages eventually can lead to high alk. But it's a slow process, mine crept up like 1 dkH per week when I was dosing 1 tsp 2X a day (80g total volume).

That being said, has anyone considered dosing either calcium ascorbate or potassium ascorbate?

I'm thinking that the calcium ascorbate could actually produce something like a "Two-Part" dosing effect.

Or the potassium ascorbate, mixed 50/50 with the sodium ascorbate, could be beneficial (and somewhat more balanced) for SPS, since Randy has hinted that heavy carbon source dosing could possibly reduce potassium levels.

I'd have to buy a potassium kit before I'd try it, but it sounds cool in theory.

Pufferpunk · 05/11/2010, 10:23 PM

This hasn't been bumped in a while...

Scma · 05/17/2010, 07:16 PM

Just thought I would add in my experience. I started Vit. C dosing nearly two month ago, the first week i ended up with a large diatom breakout but after lowering the dosage, it went away immediately and then I slowly raised the dosage again to about 10ppm.

Definite increase in coral health, very noticeable with their color and openness.
My main reason for starting this was to try and get rid of my hopeless hair algae. It didn't get rid of the algae I already had, but it has had a very large impact on new growth, which has been slim to none.

The other changes that have occurred:
My dKH. It was originally stable at around 5, and now has risen and appears to be stable at 10.
Constant reading of 0 Phosphates and 0 Nitrates

Thank you for sharing this, I will definitely be continuing to dose

04/12/2010, 07:28 PM	#679
studmaster Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 114	PH Drop I posted a message regarding this topic before, I was just wondering if anyone that has a PH monitor has noticed any sort of drop after adding VC? I have a 50Gal saltwater tank and I add 1/2 tsp around 830pm. It went from 8.12 to 8.02 within an hour of adding the VC. That seems way too much. I am currently having PH problems, but it still shouldn't swing it that much, should it? I have always thought that the VC feeds the bacteria that therefore produce CO2, which lowers the PH. My skimmer always goes nuts too after adding VC.

04/12/2010, 08:55 PM	#680
ludnix Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: California Posts: 3,031	What time does your light turn off? You should expect a pH drop at night from the change in photosynthesis. __________________ -Eric Sutter Current Tank Info: 14g Biocube

04/13/2010, 06:13 PM	#685
ludnix Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: California Posts: 3,031	That is very interesting. I would think that a small quantity of anything with that small of a pH difference could affect the overall pH of the solution that much. I wonder what is going on chemically there. __________________ -Eric Sutter Current Tank Info: 14g Biocube

05/03/2010, 09:13 AM	#697
Pufferpunk Moved On Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Franklin Park, IL Posts: 21,027	Interfere with the test or just with alk in general? It does change your alk slightly. I know I did adjust my dosing of alk after I started dosing VC but everything is very stable & within normal range after dosing VC for almost 3 years now. Last edited by Pufferpunk; 05/03/2010 at 09:21 AM.

05/03/2010, 04:38 PM	#698
redfishsc Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 3,696	I've noticed that ramping up Vitamin C dosages eventually can lead to high alk. But it's a slow process, mine crept up like 1 dkH per week when I was dosing 1 tsp 2X a day (80g total volume). That being said, has anyone considered dosing either calcium ascorbate or potassium ascorbate? I'm thinking that the calcium ascorbate could actually produce something like a "Two-Part" dosing effect. Or the potassium ascorbate, mixed 50/50 with the sodium ascorbate, could be beneficial (and somewhat more balanced) for SPS, since Randy has hinted that heavy carbon source dosing could possibly reduce potassium levels. I'd have to buy a potassium kit before I'd try it, but it sounds cool in theory. __________________ "The measure of a life is not its duration but its donation." Corrie Ten Boom “The tyrant dies and his rule is over, the martyr dies and his rule begins” -- Søren Kierkegaard Current Tank Info: ghetto grad school reef.....11g rimless tank, 36X9X9, lit by Cree and Rebels scobbled together. Stocked mostly with free stuff I got from panhandling my fellow reefers.

04/11/2010, 09:51 AM	#676
Pufferpunk Moved On Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Franklin Park, IL Posts: 21,027	There's definitely something to this stuff! I looked into my BW Figure 8 puffer tank yesterday to see a 1/2 dead puffer. She had been keeping a darker belly all week & her tail was starting to look shorter & a bit frayed but yesterday, she was floating tail up near the overflow, being tossed around by the current. She had a film on her & refused even live blackworms. The other puffer was getting fat on them & all the other fish were fine. I added Melafix & 1/4 tsp VC to her tank. Kept checking on her until bedtime but no changes. Added another 1/2 tsp VC before bed. This morning the film is gone, her belly is white & she ate!!!

04/11/2010, 10:21 AM	#677
Handofdume Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 19	The actual concentration is 1690mg ascorbic acid and 210mg sodium per 1/2 tspn. For other ingredients its say none and says contains no sugar, starch, yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, shellfish or preservatives. I intend to switch to the brand your using because its a better value. To make a long story short i am starting at such a low amount just because i'm leary of adding things to my tank. I battled a hair algae problem for a while and in a moment of insanity decided to add Algaefix Marine against my better judgement. It did kill a majority of the algae and it did not kill a single organism in my tank, however after 10 doses all my corals look po'd for a lack of a better term. My hope with the C is to reduce my N/P lower to remove the remaining algae and with the apparent added benefits in the C boost my corals.

04/11/2010, 10:23 AM	#678
Pufferpunk Moved On Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Franklin Park, IL Posts: 21,027	Starting slow is great!

04/13/2010, 08:20 AM	#682
Pufferpunk Moved On Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Franklin Park, IL Posts: 21,027	Are you using the buffered I-herb VC?

04/13/2010, 06:10 PM	#684
studmaster Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 114	okay, so I tested it with half the dosage of VC, so 1/4 tsp and the PH dropped about half the amount. This time it went down from 8.11 to 8.06. VC definitely has an effect on my PH.

04/14/2010, 08:51 AM	#687
Pufferpunk Moved On Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Franklin Park, IL Posts: 21,027	I have always said (& posted in my instructions), to be sure your pH & alk are stable, before starting to dose VC.

04/15/2010, 08:24 AM	#689
Pufferpunk Moved On Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Franklin Park, IL Posts: 21,027	At least at acceptable ranges of ~8.2 for pH & 8-9 for alk.

04/15/2010, 11:01 PM	#691
Pufferpunk Moved On Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Franklin Park, IL Posts: 21,027	Good idea. Try some water changes. Check your Ca & Mg too.

05/02/2010, 10:24 PM	#693
Pufferpunk Moved On Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Franklin Park, IL Posts: 21,027	I keep my Mg at around 1350.

05/03/2010, 08:12 AM	#695
Pufferpunk Moved On Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Franklin Park, IL Posts: 21,027	I have no sandbed in my 15g frag tank & I add 1/8 tsp VC to keep nitrate levels down.

05/11/2010, 10:23 PM	#699
Pufferpunk Moved On Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Franklin Park, IL Posts: 21,027	This hasn't been bumped in a while...

05/17/2010, 07:16 PM	#700
Scma Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Aiken, SC Posts: 47	Just thought I would add in my experience. I started Vit. C dosing nearly two month ago, the first week i ended up with a large diatom breakout but after lowering the dosage, it went away immediately and then I slowly raised the dosage again to about 10ppm. Definite increase in coral health, very noticeable with their color and openness. My main reason for starting this was to try and get rid of my hopeless hair algae. It didn't get rid of the algae I already had, but it has had a very large impact on new growth, which has been slim to none. The other changes that have occurred: My dKH. It was originally stable at around 5, and now has risen and appears to be stable at 10. Constant reading of 0 Phosphates and 0 Nitrates Thank you for sharing this, I will definitely be continuing to dose