Vitamin C dosing
 

So after skimming through this thread:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...602494&page=12
I've started dosing vitamin C (ascorbic acid) as per the recommendations in the thread. I managed to source exactly the same product used in the thread and have been at it for about a week and a half now.

The main purpose was because some of my zoa/paly colonies weren't looking their best or were refusing to open. Everything else in the tank with just hunky dory. As suggested, my levels were stable and were as follows:
pH: ~8.2
Ca: 420 ppm
Alk: 8.3 dKH
Mg: ~1400 ppm
SG: 1.025 (DD H2O salt)
Tank: 72x24x18 mixed reef with 55 gallon sump.

I also had been dosing Zeo Coral Snow (4 ml/every other day), Zeo LPS AA (3 ml/day), Zeo Spongepower (1 drop/day), Pohl's Vitalizer (3 drops/day), phyto (1 tsp/every other day) - I know, I'm a sucker for this stuff ;)

I was initially hesitant since I had just gotten over a cyano and GHA outbreak because of some over enthusiastic dosing and flow issues, but my approach to reefing has always been "aw, what the heck", so I went for it.

With my water volume (~115 gal of actual water), I should be dosing just over 1/2 teaspoon 2x per day to achieve the 5 ppm initial target. I started first with extremely low doses and have been slowly ramping up over the last 1.5 weeks.

RESULTS SO FAR:
- some slight cyano which as yet is hardly even noticeable (knock of wood).
- more skimmate production (I'd say about 10-15% more and it's a bit wetter)
- more film algae (I could clean the glass about every other day now - my abalone is feasting)
- And the point of all this experimentation: nearly all the zoas/paly colonies are now open, but their colours could still do with some improvement. I'll take some pics in the next couple of days.

This seems to be another form of carbon dosing so we'll see what the long term effects are. I'll keep you updated. Oh, and I chose this over vodka because taking vitamin C just sounds healthier than force feeding booze to my aquarium. Besides, my mom always told me to take my vitamins. ;)

I'm interested to follow along on here. I'm setting up a Zoa & Paly dedicated system in the next while.

Interesting, just hooking up to follow the thread.

This might have a negative impact on you softies. I found with booze dosing that my yellow polyps started to die off. This did not happen when I went to Ultralith.

Great thread topic Franklin! I'll be following along with interest :biggrin:

Don't forget the before and after pics! :wink:

Great Topic Franklin

I too like the idea of Vitamin C over Vodka

Where did you get the Vitamin C?

Tom R

Where did you you purchase : NutriBiotic, Sodium Ascorbate Crystalline Powder, 16 oz (454 g) locally or online. Thx

Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Ascorbic-Ascor...9008675&sr=8-2

Hmm, looks like it's been discontinued. They still seem to have the monster-sized version though. Anyone in for a group buy? :D

We have written a bunch of times on Vitamin C and its uses.

http://blog.fragd.it/2008/05/28/vita...-or-not-to-do/
http://blog.fragd.it/2009/05/13/vita...and-your-reef/
http://blog.fragd.it/2009/05/21/dosi...ium-ascorbate/
http://blog.fragd.it/2009/11/12/stn-...issues-part-2/

You all have to be careful around SPS corals. You can easily create a low nutrient environment using Vitamin C.

Hey Franklin , how is your tank doing on the dosing of Vitamin C. Do you have any good news on it? Has it done any positive changes to your tank and livestock?

Chris