I trying the Vodka to reduce nitrates and phosphates - Page 3

Genetics · 04/10/2009, 11:57 AM

The nitrate test.

And the phosphate test.

Looking good.

The phosphate looks like 0.25ppm.

reefloverd1 · 04/11/2009, 08:14 PM

I think the color may be off in the picture, it was definately 0.5ppm, so although the phospates have not come down the nitrates have and that is very positive, it may just take a little longer for the phospates to come down. but I am not discouraged

Im just happy to see my nitrates declining!

jasonkola · 04/11/2009, 09:13 PM

It is unfortunate that the api test kit has the same color for 10 and 5 ppm. I have that same test and it worked good for me till I got down to 10 ppm then it was usless. as far as I can tell I might have 10 or I might have 5 ppm. I ordered me a salifert test kit for a better low level test.

reefloverd1 · 04/11/2009, 09:49 PM

I like the other tests from API, but I see what you are saying about the 5&10 colors. One thing I am not happy with api is the caps that you put on when mixing, you dont want to invert the tubes or you will have a big mess. but if you avoid inverting them they are good test kits.

jasonkola · 04/12/2009, 08:27 AM

I had that problem at first too. I just learned to put my thumb on one end of the tube and my finger on the cap and hold the cap on tightly while I shook the test tube. After I figured that out no more leaks or vary little.

jasonkola · 04/12/2009, 08:33 AM

I would try another phosphate test as well the test kit only gose down to .25 and .25 is high so that test is useless as well.

reefloverd1 · 04/17/2009, 03:38 PM

I now have 0 nitrates and undetectable phosphates

[/IMG]

reefloverd1 · 04/17/2009, 03:40 PM

[/IMG]

reefloverd1 · 04/17/2009, 03:43 PM

Ok I don't know why one pic will show but not the other.

Now my next course is to reduce the dose by half which is 0.75 mL, but to make it simple I will reduce it to 0.8mL and just monitor for any increases hereafter.

Genetics · 04/17/2009, 03:57 PM

You are pasting in too much information on your hyperlink.

reefloverd1 · 04/17/2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by reefloverd1
I now have 0 nitrates and undetectable phosphates

[/IMG]

lets see if this works

reefloverd1 · 04/17/2009, 04:06 PM

ok

reefloverd1 · 04/17/2009, 04:07 PM

well if I just try to post one at a time it still wont work

Genetics · 04/17/2009, 04:12 PM

When you are pasting you are putting in too much.

[IMG] http://%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu11/reefloverd1/tank011.jpg [/IMG]

Take the part out and it will fix your problem.

reefloverd1 · 04/17/2009, 04:17 PM

It has been 4 weeks exactly and my nitrates had a reduction rate of approximately 1.8 ppm a day and the phosphates had about 0.2 ppm reduction per day. all other parameters look good
dKH=11
Ca=500
Ph=8.4
NH3=0
NO2=0

reefloverd1 · 04/17/2009, 04:18 PM

ok thanks I didn't realize it was doing that

SWINGRRRR · 04/17/2009, 05:10 PM

I haven't really kept up with my dosing. Ive been doing it everyday, 2ml. But I haven't been testing and all that. I know, I know. Anyway, my calibrated eyeball tells me its working. My GHA is all gone. There are 2 small patches, but its real light in color, and on its way out. My coral are really starting to color up, and really pop. My skimmer hasnt been pulling out any real junk, but I have a light bio-load with a way overrated skimmer. Plus I just threw the mesh wheel in there and did the GV mod.

I have by no means been religious about my testing. But I am seeing results. I will be a vodka doser for life.

reefloverd1 · 04/17/2009, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SWINGRRRR
I will be a vodka doser for life.

Me too!

borcu · 05/08/2010, 04:02 PM

is live rock absorbe nitrates then leach out? or the bacteries absorbe nitrate or phosphate and then they release them?
and how it works if we dry that live rock?

HighlandReefer · 05/08/2010, 04:45 PM

The rock itself does not absorb the nitrate, but will absorb the phosphate. The rock will absorb phosphate or release it depending on the water concentation.

Once rock has bacteria growing on it, the bacteria will utilize the nitrate and phosphate to grow and mulitply. Exporting the bacteria removes the phosphate and nitrate. If bacteria die and are not removed by skimming, their bodies will release the phosphate and nitrate.

borcu · 05/08/2010, 05:14 PM

thank you.

HighlandReefer · 05/08/2010, 05:16 PM

Your welcome.

KingBlingTx · 05/08/2010, 05:49 PM

I've been reading alot about the vodka dosing method. I'm just curious if anyone uses Everclear (grain alcohol) instead of vodka. It is almost pure ethanol ~95% (as pure as you can get with distillation anyway).

04/10/2009, 11:57 AM	#51
Genetics Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ontario, Ohio Posts: 4,937	The nitrate test. And the phosphate test. Looking good. The phosphate looks like 0.25ppm. __________________ Nate Current Tank Info: 15g Waterbox cube

04/11/2009, 08:14 PM	#52
reefloverd1 returns Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 214	I think the color may be off in the picture, it was definately 0.5ppm, so although the phospates have not come down the nitrates have and that is very positive, it may just take a little longer for the phospates to come down. but I am not discouraged Im just happy to see my nitrates declining! __________________ reefloverd1 Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have Their shoes. Current Tank Info: 14 gal. Biocube

04/11/2009, 09:49 PM	#54
reefloverd1 returns Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 214	I like the other tests from API, but I see what you are saying about the 5&10 colors. One thing I am not happy with api is the caps that you put on when mixing, you dont want to invert the tubes or you will have a big mess. but if you avoid inverting them they are good test kits. __________________ reefloverd1 Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have Their shoes. Current Tank Info: 14 gal. Biocube

04/17/2009, 03:38 PM	#57
reefloverd1 returns Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 214	WOO HOO! I now have 0 nitrates and undetectable phosphates [/IMG] __________________ reefloverd1 Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have Their shoes. Current Tank Info: 14 gal. Biocube

04/17/2009, 03:40 PM	#58
reefloverd1 returns Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 214	nitrates [/IMG] __________________ reefloverd1 Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have Their shoes. Current Tank Info: 14 gal. Biocube

04/11/2009, 09:13 PM	#53
jasonkola Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 240	It is unfortunate that the api test kit has the same color for 10 and 5 ppm. I have that same test and it worked good for me till I got down to 10 ppm then it was usless. as far as I can tell I might have 10 or I might have 5 ppm. I ordered me a salifert test kit for a better low level test.

04/12/2009, 08:27 AM	#55
jasonkola Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 240	I had that problem at first too. I just learned to put my thumb on one end of the tube and my finger on the cap and hold the cap on tightly while I shook the test tube. After I figured that out no more leaks or vary little.

04/12/2009, 08:33 AM	#56
jasonkola Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 240	I would try another phosphate test as well the test kit only gose down to .25 and .25 is high so that test is useless as well.

04/17/2009, 03:43 PM	#59
reefloverd1 returns Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 214	Ok I don't know why one pic will show but not the other. Now my next course is to reduce the dose by half which is 0.75 mL, but to make it simple I will reduce it to 0.8mL and just monitor for any increases hereafter. __________________ reefloverd1 Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have Their shoes. Current Tank Info: 14 gal. Biocube

04/17/2009, 03:57 PM	#60
Genetics Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ontario, Ohio Posts: 4,937	You are pasting in too much information on your hyperlink. __________________ Nate Current Tank Info: 15g Waterbox cube

04/17/2009, 04:06 PM	#62
reefloverd1 returns Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 214	ok __________________ reefloverd1 Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have Their shoes. Current Tank Info: 14 gal. Biocube

04/17/2009, 04:07 PM	#63
reefloverd1 returns Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 214	well if I just try to post one at a time it still wont work __________________ reefloverd1 Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have Their shoes. Current Tank Info: 14 gal. Biocube

04/17/2009, 04:12 PM	#64
Genetics Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ontario, Ohio Posts: 4,937	When you are pasting you are putting in too much. [IMG] http://%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu11/reefloverd1/tank011.jpg [/IMG] Take the part out and it will fix your problem. __________________ Nate Current Tank Info: 15g Waterbox cube

04/17/2009, 04:17 PM	#65
reefloverd1 returns Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 214	It has been 4 weeks exactly and my nitrates had a reduction rate of approximately 1.8 ppm a day and the phosphates had about 0.2 ppm reduction per day. all other parameters look good dKH=11 Ca=500 Ph=8.4 NH3=0 NO2=0 __________________ reefloverd1 Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have Their shoes. Current Tank Info: 14 gal. Biocube

04/17/2009, 04:18 PM	#66
reefloverd1 returns Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 214	ok thanks I didn't realize it was doing that __________________ reefloverd1 Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have Their shoes. Current Tank Info: 14 gal. Biocube

04/17/2009, 05:10 PM	#67
SWINGRRRR Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pcola FL Posts: 2,504	I haven't really kept up with my dosing. Ive been doing it everyday, 2ml. But I haven't been testing and all that. I know, I know. Anyway, my calibrated eyeball tells me its working. My GHA is all gone. There are 2 small patches, but its real light in color, and on its way out. My coral are really starting to color up, and really pop. My skimmer hasnt been pulling out any real junk, but I have a light bio-load with a way overrated skimmer. Plus I just threw the mesh wheel in there and did the GV mod. I have by no means been religious about my testing. But I am seeing results. I will be a vodka doser for life. __________________ Have you ever tried to hold a monkey still if it is not drunk ~ insteng Current Tank Info: 45gal Rimless mixed reef--SWC 150BMK--2xMP10ESW--Giesemann 150W HQI

05/08/2010, 04:02 PM	#69
borcu bordox Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 315	is live rock absorbe nitrates then leach out? or the bacteries absorbe nitrate or phosphate and then they release them? and how it works if we dry that live rock?

05/08/2010, 04:45 PM	#70
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	The rock itself does not absorb the nitrate, but will absorb the phosphate. The rock will absorb phosphate or release it depending on the water concentation. Once rock has bacteria growing on it, the bacteria will utilize the nitrate and phosphate to grow and mulitply. Exporting the bacteria removes the phosphate and nitrate. If bacteria die and are not removed by skimming, their bodies will release the phosphate and nitrate. __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

05/08/2010, 05:14 PM	#71
borcu bordox Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 315	thank you.

05/08/2010, 05:16 PM	#72
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	Your welcome. __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

05/08/2010, 05:49 PM	#73
KingBlingTx Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 57	I've been reading alot about the vodka dosing method. I'm just curious if anyone uses Everclear (grain alcohol) instead of vodka. It is almost pure ethanol ~95% (as pure as you can get with distillation anyway).