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  • Advanced Nutrient Control Techniques

    In a previous article, I covered the definition of nutrients in a reef as well covering basic control techniques. Here I will try to explain advanced techniques to deal with nitrates and phosphates as well as go deeper into setting up a fuge. I will briefly go over dsb and anaerobic bacteria in a different article. Caution should be used with applying these techniques. I recommend having access to at least 25% water volume in case things spiral out of control. Always dose on the low end at first and slowly ramp up. Follow directions to the T and do not attempt to "eyeball" measurements.

    Currently there are 3 ways of dealing with nutrient export. Water changes which is pretty straight forward, a probiotic system, and utilizing plants to remove excess nutrients.

    Probiotic Systems
    These include but not limited to Zeovit from KZ, NeoZeo from Brightwell, Ultralith from Fauna Marin, VSV Dosing ( Vinegar, Sugar, Vodka ), Prodibio and etc. Pretty much all the probiotic systems work on this simple principle. Feed the bacteria phosphate + nitrate + carbon + oxygen, let them grow and multiply. Use a skimmer to export excess bacteria out of the system, effectively removing the nitrate and phosphate the bacteria consumed out of the tank.

    Zeovit - A system of utilizing Zeoliths in a reactor. Water is slowly fed over the rocks to grow a chain of different strains of bacteria on the rocks. As the bacteria grow and multiply, they exhaust phosphate and nitrate and carbon from the tank to multiply. The excess is removed from the skimmer. Thomas Pohl, the creator does not release info into what chemicals and bacteria is used in his system, so if you use this system, you are almost locked into it.

    NeoZeo, Ultralith, - Are basically copies of zeovit. They work on the same principles.

    VSV Dosing - This is the basic probiotic system. It utilizes the bacteria strains inside the system already to deplete nutrients. It just adds the last element needed for the bacteria to take off. Vodka, sugar, and vinegar are all different forms of carbon bacteria can use. Usually a bacteria culture could be added to jump start the bacteria population. Many users have tried Brightwell's Microbacter7 with great success. Caution should be paramount when dosing carbon. It can easily be overdosed with disastrous results.
    • Vodka - - It is important to use a basic vodka without too much other additives. The main ingredient we're looking for is ethanol ( C2H5OH ). A decent vodka could have as much as 95% ethanol content. Ethanol is a fairly simple compound that can be broken down to release the carbon used for probiotic bacteria reproduction.
    • Sugar - ( C6H12O6 ) Most likely glucose. Another simple carbon source. Different bacteria will favor either sugar, vodka, or vinegar. It is often recommended to mix it up a bit for different strains to proliferate.
    • Vinegar - ( CH3COOH ) Mostly composed of water and 4-5% acetic acid. Another simple carbon source that can be easily broken down.


    Biopellets - The new and upcoming star of the show. Vodka made easy. This is a solid pelletized form of carbon. In theory the bacteria will colonize the pellets and multiply on the pellets. It is important to keep the pellets tumbling in a reactor. This way excess bacteria is knocked off for the skimmer to remove as well as not promote anaerobic bacteria to form. I have had good luck using MB7 in conjunction with biopellets.
    Last edited by soymilk; 01-18-2011, 08:23 AM.

  • #2
    Nice write up Trung.

    I started dosing Vodka lately. I'll post update stuff here.

    You should include some pictures form your set-up to show people how the different systems actually look it.

    Dosing Vodka in ADA 60p system


    Jan. 27
    Day 1) Dose 1 bio gest ampule, 1 biotim Marine amplue, .2ml
    Day 2) .2ml
    Day 3) .2ml
    Day 4) missed
    Day 7) .3ml; NO3 10; PO4 .2-3
    Day 8) .3ml
    Day 9) .3ml
    Day 10) .6ml
    Feb. 8
    Day 11) .6ml
    Day 12) .6ml
    Day 13) .6ml
    Day 14) .6ml
    Day 15) .6ml
    Day 16) 1.1ml
    Day 17) 1.1ml
    Day 18) 1.1ml
    Day 19) 1.1ml
    Day 30) 1.1ml
    Feb. 18
    Day 31) 1.1ml
    Day 32) Stopped dosing; switched to Bio-pellets.
    Last edited by myjohnson; 02-20-2011, 09:23 PM. Reason: update
    I ate my fish that died.

    Comment


    • #3
      imma put it in my to do list. Gonna have to write up an article about vodka dosing for aquanerd, might as well repost em here too lol. i r lazy.

      Things im going to cover in this thread:
      Vodka Dosing, step by step
      Bio pellets... step by step (hopefully with the help of jim)
      and going over my zeovit system.... ( prob much later )
      going over setting up a fuge (when my tank comes in... hopefully today)

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      • #4
        Originally posted by soymilk View Post
        Bio pellets... step by step (hopefully with the help of jim)
        Good luck! )
        I ate my fish that died.

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by myjohnson View Post
          Good luck! )
          WTH!

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          • #6
            Let's see some pictures of the set up jim!

            Post about the installation process.
            I ate my fish that died.

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            • #7
              take some pimp pictures man... i need some clean shots for my article. Tons of pics!

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              • #8
                You might have to give Jim a lesson on DSLRs.
                I ate my fish that died.

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                • #9
                  ****

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                  • #10
                    good info soymilk. whats a typical vodka dosing regimen?
                    Last edited by cichlid1409; 02-04-2011, 03:00 PM.
                    25g - Reef
                    3.5g - Surge Tank
                    10g - Ichthyophthirius multifilis breeding colony

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by cichlid1409 View Post
                      good info soymilk. whats a typical vodka dosing regimen?

                      For him or the tank?

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by cichlid1409 View Post
                        good info soymilk. whats a typical vodka dosing regimen?


                        This is the chart I use. For some reason I cant get it to show up.

                        But the link works.
                        I ate my fish that died.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by myjohnson View Post
                          http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-0...e2-80Proof.jpg

                          This is the chart I use. For some reason I cant get it to show up.

                          But the link works.
                          no workie :(
                          25g - Reef
                          3.5g - Surge Tank
                          10g - Ichthyophthirius multifilis breeding colony

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Sorry Mike.....too drunk to fix it tonight.

                            I'll do it tomorrow.
                            I ate my fish that died.

                            Comment


                            • #15




                              Vodka Dosing Tables


                              BioPellets + basic bacteria explaination
                              Last edited by soymilk; 02-14-2011, 08:19 AM.

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