Starting vodka dosing ???

[nyshoots]

I'm having a hair algae problem you can read all about it in my other post. I'm thinking of trying out vodka dosing but the problem is that my p04 and nitrate tests are all reading zero so I dont see how I will know how much to dose ? I'm thinking about just doing 1ml per day and for a few weeks and see what happens ??? I have a 28 gallon tank and Im guessing my actual volume is more like 25 ? Also will carbon or gfo be affected by the vodka ?

 

[Tonyscoots84]

Did u read up on all the info on dosing? Also what test kit are you using for phosphate?

 

[nyshoots]

I did read a bunch of articles on vodka dosing but I'm always scared to start something new. I'm using a salifert kit for po4 and api kit for nitrate

 

[Tonyscoots84]

U need to check phosphates with a hanna meter.

 

[ecvernon]

i would not recommend vodka dosing for a nano tank. You would also need great skimmer and there could be bacteria blooms that could wipe out the tank. There must be a simpler way to combat your issue. Tell us more about your tank, what type of corals, what you feed, how often,what fish,rodi? etc...

also i never had luck with po4 test other than digital hanna meters. those color matching ones tend not to be accurate enough

 

[ducati335i]

After u get all ur water in check use algaefix marine.. It's not a bandaid and it works really well.. I had a problem a while bk w ha abd I spent months trying to brush it off, kill lights, increase gfo/water changes.. Problem is when u have that much of an out break, it needs so little of nutrients to keep surviving.. I even got two seahairs.. anyway, used it for two weeks no ill effect and my tank has never had a problem again.... You will thank me... Read reviews on it.. Abd to the posters on rc that lost stuff they def are trolls are making stuff up.. I recently used it on another two tanks w new corals abd I decided to get rid of the hair algae on them w this stuff.. Once again no I'll effects just perfect water..

 

[ecvernon]

Ok I'm not totally new to this and I know that if I have hair algae I have to have nitrates, phosphates etc... but I am having a problem in my 28 gallon and I can't figure out where its coming from. My set up is as follows,

JbJ 28 gallon hqi
25lbs live rock
Aragamax sugar grain sand
20k radium on for 6 hours a day
Brs reactor phosban/carbon
Mp-10 3/4 power in reef crest mode
Mj1200 pumps in back filter area
Tunze 9002 skimmer skimming dark wet

Livestock
1 large percula
1 hi fin goby
Clean up crew with mexican turbos, turbos, cerith, nerites, hermit crabs, emerald crab, tuxedo urchin, cleaner shrimp, serpent star

Lots of sps, zoas, and lps

Feed every other day once in the morning dime to nickle size piece of rods reef once a week I switch it up with flake and pellet food.

Weekly five gallon water changes using d&d h2ocean salt

Kalkwasser ato set up along with esv 2 part dosing as needed.

Alk 10 from red sea pro
Ca 420 from red sea pro
Mag 1600 from red sea pro
Temp 81
Phos 0 from salifert kit
Nitrate 0 from api kit
Ph 7.8 - 8.2
Ro unit showing 0 tds from 2 different meters

i saw you post all your tank info in another thread. I am actually surprised because it seems you are doing everything right. My only suggestion would be to test your tank with a hanna meter to see what you get. When you change out your phospahet media do you observe any decline in the hair algae?

 

[Reef_Paddy]

Try dosing Hydrogen Peroxide or read up on it at least. IMO less potential consequences that vodka dosing. 1ml per 10Gal daily.