Bio-pellets I quit you!

[therealshark]

What is the VSV?

[Dyspnea]

I used vertex pellets, I never heard about keeping alk low, but I usually keep it around 7-8.

Like I said before a fuge is so simple and low maintaince. I never had any problems and have had good results.

Oh bad part was the investment in the reactors and pellets, but I'll still make use of them, with carbon or gfo.

[ScubaSteve]

Originally Posted by therealshark

What is the VSV?

Vodka, sugar, vinegar. Helps prevent bacterial monocultures that arise out of carbon dosing. The theory goes that certain bacterial strains utilize different carbon sources. If You dose only one carbon source (like biopellets) then the bacterial strain that specializes or is more dominant in utilizing that source dominates and a monoculture arises. By adding fresh bacteria regularly and dosing multiple carbon sources you avoid this issue. By preventing monocultures you, in theory, won't need to dose bacteria (such as zeobak or MB7) as regularly to keep bacterial biodiversity.

[therealshark]

Interesting, I have alays had good luck with just vodka.
What ratio do you mix the VSV? Or do you dose them individually?
I think I may try this in my new system once it is going for awhile.

[ScubaSteve]

Originally Posted by therealshark

Interesting, I have alays had good luck with just vodka.
What ratio do you mix the VSV? Or do you dose them individually?
I think I may try this in my new system once it is going for awhile.

Sorry, I don't want to detract from the original thread. I'll gladly have a discussion if you start another thread on this topic. I've been learning quite a bit about this method recently as I'll be switching to VSV shortly. Start with the ratios published here. The easiest answer is: it depends. It seems that everyone who is using this system gets slightly different results and needs to adjust the ratios accordingly. Read Sonny's site on MB& and vodka dosing. This will give you an idea where to start. There is no research saying what source does what. It will have to be through personal experimentation.

Previously I was using vodka and Vitamin C and was getting very good and interesting results but stopped that due to time commitments.