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Well here we go...I started my Vodka dosing today. I am using Grey Goose Vodka 80 proof 40% alc by vol. Nothing but the best, but the type doesn't matter. I wanted to start this post with a few pics but my camera acts like it doesn't want to be part of this. I will get some up very soon.
The set up:
75gal mostly SPS a few LPS and a few Leathers. 2x 400watt Metal Halide with 20k XM bulbs 2x28watt T5's and one 48" 54watt 460NM Actinic. Light cycle Actinic come on 1pm T5's come on at 2pm MH on at 3 T5 out at 5pm MH out at 10pm Actinic out at 11:30pm. 700gph hang on over flow Maga flow 3 sump. 20gal fuge with Macro and Mangroves. Phosban reactor did have De*Nitrate in it but will replace with Carbon. 3 Moded Maxi-jet 1200 and a Mag 7 return pump for 7000gph over all flow.Protein Skimmer Coralife (hob)
Water perimeters:
Temp 80.1
Salinity1.026
PH 8.3
NO3(Nitrate)20+ppm
PO4(phosphate).5ppm
Cal.480
Alk.12.2
Mag.1450
Dosing: I dose 22ml of 2 part B-Ionic everyday for Cal. & Alk.
Starting dose of Vodka is .3ml for the first 3 days. Dosing accuracy is of the utmost importance. I had to take Net Water Volume dosing 1ml per 25gal of aquarium Volume. Did not count water Volume for sump,fuge,and reactor.
Reason for Vodka dosing:
As you can see my nitrates and phosphates or high for a stonie tank IMO for any reef tank I put 20+ because at times my NO3's go as high as 40ppm. There are 7 fish in this tank(high bio load) I feed different types of food. This leads to discoloration in the coral. SPS are sensitive to high NO3's. I had a little hair algae but my CUC and sailfin tang has taken care of that. I have tried many different way to lower my Nitrates in the past. Up to this point I had been doing weekly water changes but now I am going to back off a bit so I can watch my perimeters and make sure the dosing is working.
Summary:
I will keep you all up to date as I go along. I hope this help someone who is thinking of going in this direction. And please any comments are welcome.

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It adds a carbon source to lower Nitrates & Phosphates. Also aids in coloration of coral and crystal clear water.

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Been seriously considering vodka dosing as well, subscribing to your thread James so I can follow along with your updates.
Congrats on your decision and lets hear how it goes.

Is this only for saltwater tanks?

O.K after a long night of being on pin and needles. Here's what we have since my lights have not come on yet I can't see anything in any detail just yet, but all fish have made it through the night. Just dosed 22ml B-Ionic and .3ml of vodka. I will try and get some pic up soon.
Temp.79.7
PH.8.2
Cal. 440
Alk.12.2
NO3 still the same(20+ppm)
PO4 still the same(.5ppm)

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You plan to do 1 test daily from here forward?

No every few day or so. I just wanted to see if there was any empact right away. My Cal & Alk pretty much stays the same anyway. And I have a pin point for PH and Temp. By the way the test kits I'm using are.
Salifert for:
Phosphate, Mag, Alk
API for:
Nitrate and Cal.

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Good luck. The practice is fairly common in Europe. I think you could accomplish the same thing with either a heavily stocked fuge or a turf scrubber though and save the Vodka for yourself.

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Dr Hank's 200 gallon Reef Tank
http://www.aquariumforum.com/f46/drhanks-tank-3440.html

Here are a few pics of the tank. Like I said for the reason I'm dosing first is high nitrates are not healthy and I'm not happy with the color. These pieces do have much better color.

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yessir salt only never heard or seen used on fresh

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Sorry I looked pass your question but as someone else said this is for saltwater.

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Great that you snapped some pics, now we know what your "before" tank looked like.
How soon do you think before a color change in the corals will become noticeable?

I have zero nitrates (tested with Salifert), I want to do it just for color. Am I crazy?

Do you think that in part the inhabitants look more vibrant since the alcohol might be killing off some bad bacteria in the tank making them healthier? Or maybe its just a 'blush' such as you would see in someone slightly intoxicated? I would think that it would be an irritant, if anything.

I thought about a turf scrubber but I just didn't have the room. Then when I started to see more and more post on Vodka dosing and said there my next project. You make a good point we are so far behide our cross the pond counter-parts alot of this is just comming to light for us.

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I have watched it very close and I thought I lost a coral band Shrimp but he was molting. So the inhabitants of the tank are doing business as usual.

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If you have 0 NO3 and don't have a phosphate problem I would just look into lighting. What type of light are you using now?

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