Thinking about Carbon Dosing?

[Scott Allen]

I've been following this thread for a while found it very interesting and wanted to share.

This poster has been running an experiment to see differences between 4 of the most common forms of carbon dosing. GFO, Vodka, Bio-Fuel, and Bio Pellets.
http://www.3reef.com/forums/water-chemi ... 07232.html

He's done a great job on the experiment. So far... VODKA is in the lead!

[Sandy]

My favorite form of dosing is VODKA also!!!
Oh wait,,,,, are we talking aquariums???

[Gerwin]

My favorite form of dosing is VODKA also!!!
Oh wait,,,,, are we talking aquariums???

NOW THAT IS FUNNY!!

Scott save us the read and give us the short version of the results and why....

[Scott Allen]

The experiment is pretty well designed. Grew the big 3 major normal issues people see when new to the hobby; Diatoms, cyano, hair algae, and used tap water, trying to replicate a first tank for most people. Set the tanks up in a head to head fashion, see first page of the thread for the pictures on the first post. The experiment started in March, at this point in terms of aesthetics and overall nitrate/phosphate reduction Vodka looks the best. That said, reef aquariums come down to a marathon not a race, so only time will tell. But other's have had success in the past over long term dosing periods (3 years +)

A couple things to note, in order to capitalize on any form of carbon dosing, you need a very powerful skimmer and you must test OFTEN. You will likely note a much darker and stinkier skimmate from carbon dosing. The method they used to determine the amount of carbon source used came from this very in depth read http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2008- ... /index.php

So tl;dr

Carbon dosing still proven viable for nitrate and phosphate reduction
You can feed your fish booze (vodka, taaka works great)
BE CAREFUL
You need a powerful skimmer
TEST OFTEN

[Gerwin]

and you must test OFTEN.

I'm out