Vodka Dosing Long Term

shrimpchips · #1 02-25-2010, 06:50 AM

I've been dosing since...May? Everything looks great and colour is more vibrant.

You really need a good skimmer and consistent dosing however - I think that is where most people fail. The biopellets are good, but they require more of the same to be effective - they have to be exported somehow. Bottom line is you need efficient protein skimming in order to take advantage of carbon dosing.

Powertec · #2 02-25-2010, 02:59 PM

I have been dosing vodka for two years with no problems, and have had no problems, and for the cost you cant lose.

untamed · #3 02-26-2010, 04:54 AM

I've been dosing a mix of Vodka, Vinegar, and Sugar (VSV) since September...only 6 months, I suppose. No problems, but I think my dosage is pretty low (6ml/500gallons)

Argentiner · #4 02-26-2010, 04:58 AM

I've been vodka dosing for a year and a half and have had nothing but great results from it. I dose 3mL/day for a 175gal tank.

viperfish · #5 02-26-2010, 12:52 PM

I am thinking the VSV method might be the thing to try. It seems to yield more diversity in bacteria populations.

fencer · #6 02-26-2010, 02:14 PM

This type of dosing is very hard on softies. It does work. The first sign of a problem polyps( like GSP) will start to disappear. I have a yellow colony and it was close to being wiped out. You are going to need something more rounded out. Ultralith and Zeo are good alternatives. The cost of VSV is about the same cost as an Ultra program. There are other source like vinegar and molasses that are cheaper and as effective as VSV if you want to go with that route

viperfish · #7 02-26-2010, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fencer

This type of dosing is very hard on softies. It does work. The first sign of a problem polyps( like GSP) will start to disappear. I have a yellow colony and it was close to being wiped out. You are going to need something more rounded out. Ultralith and Zeo are good alternatives. The cost of VSV is about the same cost as an Ultra program. There are other source like vinegar and molasses that are cheaper and as effective as VSV if you want to go with that route

We're taliking about the same thing right? Vodka-Sugar-Vinegar, the Ultralith and Zeo programs are a lot more expensive. The startup cost and maintenance are insanely higher than a bottle of Vodka, some sugar and vinegar. Only thing is the Ultralith and Zeo are more of a "set and forget" than the VSV method. The more I look at the whole scenario, the more I am leaning toward the NP Pellets.