Carbon (VSV) dosing volumes

[Plainswalker]

Originally Posted by Wheelman76

Or I suppose you could spend a couple hundred on a bio pellet reactor , plumb it into your system , replace pellets every six months ( or however often it is ) and check every once in a while to make sure they are tumbling correctly. Either way I would hardly say that's any easier than dosing vinegar or vodka etc.

I keep thinking about trying biopellets but I can't really beat the simplicity of adding vinegar using a doser. All I have to do is refill a container once a month. Very simple and straightforward - don't have to worry about pellet tumbling and I don't have to take apart the reactor to refill.

[Myka]

I used to be dead against biopellets because I saw so many people having troubles with them. There are a few things to keep in mind when using them, and other than that they do their job - really well. I don't need biopellets in my own tank, but I do use Prodibio (for good bacteria balance) and vinegar (to make the kalk more concentrated). Though the latter two the carbon dosing effect is the secondary effect for me.

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by Wheelman76

Walk into kitchen....open up vinegar.....measure 20ml......dump into tank. If that's too much work then you're in the wrong hobby lol

I'm lazy,... would rather do it once a year (went a year and half last time) than once a day. Keeps nitrates near zero, and only test about once a month.

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by Plainswalker

I keep thinking about trying biopellets but I can't really beat the simplicity of adding vinegar using a doser. All I have to do is refill a container once a month. Very simple and straightforward - don't have to worry about pellet tumbling and I don't have to take apart the reactor to refill.

I use a doser for Ca and alk, but have to test often and make occasional adjustments. Once the pellets are tumbling properly (no more than a day or two of flow adjustments), no other adjustments or maintenance necessary.

I tried the carbon dosing initially, and for me it was a big PITA with all the measuring, calculating, and adjusting to get your nitrates where you want them to be.

Plus with dosers there is always a risk if something goes wrong, whether it is lines plugging, calculation errors (esp initially), or Apex (or other timer) going nuts on you.