BioPellets with Vodka Dosing - Your Thoughts

emerald crab · #1 10-15-2010, 03:07 AM

I use pellets and keep dosing some sugar, that allows me fine tunnig.

globaldesigns · #2 10-15-2010, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emerald crab

I use pellets and keep dosing some sugar, that allows me fine tunnig.

I had my reactors out to clean, so I added another 1L of pellets between the 2 reactors. Lets see if that helps more.

Also, thanks for the comment... What kind of dosage do you give in relation to water volume? Is the sugar granular or made into a liquid?

emerald crab · #3 10-15-2010, 03:31 AM

I use a solution 50% by weight. I dose 1ml/day in 3 portions (1/3ml each) for a 90 gal system.

globaldesigns · #4 10-15-2010, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emerald crab

I use a solution 50% by weight. I dose 1ml/day in 3 portions (1/3ml each) for a 90 gal system.

May I ask why you choose sugar over vodka or vinegar? Just wondering as I no nothing about this form of dosing. thanks.

emerald crab · #5 10-15-2010, 04:06 AM

Sugar, vodka, vinegar or a mixture of them all work. When I first started dosing carbon, I did it with vodka. It didn't work right for me, I got lots of red slime so I switched to sugar and it worked for me.

kien · #6 10-15-2010, 04:12 AM

Interesting

. The beauty of the pellets as you pointed out is that you don't have to touch them for a while. Certainly no daily chore. They certainly do reduce nitrates and phosphates but not with the same gusto as Zeo. It sounds like you are willing to put in a little more effort in the form of daily dosing chores in order to get better results. If that's the case then why not just ditch the pellets and Vodka/sugar/vinegar and go the zeo route? Seems to me that anyone willing and able to put up with the zeo chores should go that route.

globaldesigns · #7 10-15-2010, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kien

Interesting

. The beauty of the pellets as you pointed out is that you don't have to touch them for a while. Certainly no daily chore. They certainly do reduce nitrates and phosphates but not with the same gusto as Zeo. It sounds like you are willing to put in a little more effort in the form of daily dosing chores in order to get better results. If that's the case then why not just ditch the pellets and Vodka/sugar/vinegar and go the zeo route? Seems to me that anyone willing and able to put up with the zeo chores should go that route.

Hey, I am still using zeolites and zeo dosing. I just think my bioload is too large maybe.

I won't ditch the pellets, as they are doing a better job, than just zeo alone... Personally I didn't have much success with the Zeolites only. I put them back in just recently, as I have several bags and running with the pellets, again just seeing what happens.

I did get another 1L of pellets in the reactors tonight, and also a few days ago, I removed the running of the reactors independantly to now running them inline. Research is showing that running inline will be better.

I guess, I will just wait and see. Zeolites are about 1.5 months old, and are the first batch since starting them back up, so almost time to exchange them with new and more.

I will hold back on the vodka/sugar/vinegar dosing and see what happens now with the extra pellets and the running of them inline and tumbling slowly. REMEMBER THE TUMBLING IS KEY FOR PELLETS, THEY NEED TO TUMBLE VERY GENTLY.

If you see my tank, I think you all would be impressed, don't get me wrong it looks great!!! But many of you that know me, know that I am very anal and a perfectionist, and some coral

s can be better, so I want it that way. HEHE

kien · #8 10-15-2010, 04:22 AM

Wow you are on Zeo and pellets?? Don't know too many people doing that. You must have an insane Bioload

That's interesting that you didn't get better results out of zeo. I always thought that Zeo alone was pretty efficient at nutrient reduction.

globaldesigns · #9 10-15-2010, 04:23 AM

On another note:

As I just stated, I am running a full regime of Zeo... Maybe I shouldn't be?

I run:
- Coral Snow
- Zeo Zyme
- Zeo Bak
- Coral Vitalizers
- K Balance
- LPS Amino Acid
- Amino Acid drops
- Food 7
- Pohls Extra (haven't used for a couple months now)

The by-product of the pellets is food for corals, maybe the Zeo dosing is just adding more nutrients, causing the browning of some corols. Any ideas here, maybe I should cut out some of the Zeo dosing? Never thought of that.

Myka · #10 10-17-2010, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by globaldesigns

I just think my bioload is too large maybe.

Just looking at your signature...you have 350 lbs of live rock in a 180 gallon tank? That makes me wonder if you removed some rock for better circulation you may be able to easily reduce your nutrients that way. 350 lbs of live rock is a lot of rock to be in the way of the powerheads.

Just a thought...sometimes more chemicals or more dosing isn't the answer, and is a battle you won't win.