Entry

achieved through observation and experimentation

With out digging deeply into the scientific area of this, the goal of bacterioplankton systems such as Carbon dosing, Prodibio, Ultralith and Zeovit is to grow bacteria in order to consumer phosphates and nitrates, which are then exported via a protein skimmer. This can be achieved with simple carbon dosing such as sugar, or more […]

With out digging deeply into the scientific area of this, the goal of bacterioplankton systems such as Carbon dosing, Prodibio, Ultralith and Zeovit is to grow bacteria in order to consumer phosphates and nitrates, which are then exported via a protein skimmer. This can be achieved with simple carbon dosing such as sugar, or more complex means such as zeovit, involving reactors, mutiple dosings and color manipulating additives.  (Because the bacteria are exported via skimming, a well functioning skimmer is a must!) The goal of these methods is to lower nutrients, allowing corals to such as SPS to be as vibrant as possible. Here is a photo of Iwan’s reef. He is who intrigued us with these methods and this is what can be achieved.

 iwanlasser1.jpg

We have experimented extensively with this, and below is the results of various trial and error. Although science backs-up Carbon dosing and nutrient export as used by bacterioplankton systems, our “dosing” schedule was achieved through observation and experimentation (far from scientific). If you are considering any one of these systems we urge you to read and research as much as you can.  The [The Zeovit Forums] have a great archive of information, and there are many heated threads on just about every major forum on this topic. In the end, cardon dosing works, but can be dangerous. Like with any changes to your reefs, start slow and carefully observe your animal’s reactions. One of the major concerns with simple carbon dosing is monocultures of bacteria. The logic of this being, certain bacteria utilize certain carbon sources better than others.  If bac strain A utilizes ethanol (vodka) better than bac strain B, and you only dose ethanol…all things the same, strain A will out-compete strain B.Because we are an equal bacteria supporter, we have created a mixed C-Source made up of Vodka, Acetate, and Sugar.  We are unsure of the shelf life of this, so to be safe we make small batches every couple month or so. Through dosing individual carbon sources, we have also noticed different effects. The make up of this mixed C concoction is based on those observations.

 carbon sources 

 Here you can see the ingredients of our ’system’: Vodka (ethanol), Vinegar (acetate), and Sugar. (The Gin is for your enjoyment) You will also notice the [Prodibio Bio Digest] which I will get into later. For this batch we used 200ml’s Vodka, 50ml’s vinegar, and 1.5tbsp sugar. Upon initial mixing, the solution will foam from the vinegar, it should turn completely clear in less than 30mins Depending on the reaction of the tank, we change the make-up accordingly. We find Vinegar can create unwanted white bacteria growth more so than the other two, so if we notice this in the next batch we will reduce the amount of vinegar. For sugar we notice more surface film, and occasionally dino’s. Again if this occurs we reduce the amount added to the next batch. Because we just re-started heavy C-dosing we are currently dosing .6ml’s of this solution daily. A good starting point IME, is .5ml’s per 20g’s. This may seem like very little, but it is best to start slow and increase the amount over time to prevent a bacteria bloom.This occurs from OD’ing on a Carbon source and clouds the water milky white. This can cause systems to crash from O2 depletion as the bacteria utilize what available oxygen is there, suffocating your fish and corals. (Another reason why a powerful protein skimmer is a must when using these methods).When dosing carbon, you dont always get the bacteria you want to grow.To help this and create a diverese bacteria population in the water column we dose [Prodibio Bio Digest]

prodibio bac 

 Bio Digest is packaged in small glass ampoules with nitrogen gas (cool huh?) In these small vials are both nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria. Specifically the Strains are Nitrosomonas europea, Nitrobacter winogradskyi, Paracoccus denitrificans, and Pseudomonas stuzerii. Prodibio claims they contain 20 Billion bacteria per ampoule. Due to the life cycle of the bacteria, they recommend dosing every 15 days and as such we follow. We currently are dosing 1 ampoule on our own tank, but when transitioning the livestock to it’s new home we will use a double dose to help keep ammonia, and nitrate down during that high-stress time.

 One highly important aspect of these system is mimicking natural saltwater parameters. Alk fluctuations in particular can be damaging.  We aim for Alk 7.5 (w/Reef Salt ~6.5 true alk) Cal: 420 Mg: 1300.  We also do weekly 10-20% waterchanges to keep proper levels of trace elements and add 1 drop of potassium iodide. These are extremely important to coloration of SPS as well as bacteria. Another important aspect  for bacteria health is Amino Acids, which I will touch on at a later time as well as other Nitrogen sources.

Carbon dosing is not for everyone, however it works for us. There is risk involved and please do not try this unless you are up to the task. We are not responsible for tank crashing, or your acroporas becoming more colorful…all of that is your own doing. 

We hope sharing our experiences helps others and can spark new ideas in this area.

Cheers,

e&f 

 

 

Related posts:

  1. amino acids, do they work? update
  2. Brightwell Aquatics to launch Bac driven system?
  3. Coloration and Growth
  4. tank+home

6 Comments

  1. February 26, 2008 at 6:11 pm | Permalink

    Thts pretty impressive. The colors are amazing. Almost makes me want to start an SPS tank

  2. February 27, 2008 at 4:23 pm | Permalink

    Nice post. I currently use a ‘hybrid blend’ of Prodibio & Fauna Marin products. I found that when I started to wean off the Prodib, my tank didn’t look as “clean”. What to think about that, I’m not sure. Either the FM hasn’t had enough time to take care of business on its own, or it seems that the combo of the products is more efficient. Like the tank in the picture, I’m not sure exactly what Iwan is running now, but I do do know at one point he was indeed using a combination of products as well. I will try and take the prodibio out of my regimen again in another couple months to see how the FM does on its own. Carbon dosing does indeed work, no doubt. But, as you mention, it’s definitely not for everyone. Nor is it the magic solution to a kick ass reef tank.

    My current dosing consists of:

    1st + 15th - 1 amp Prod. Biodigest
    7th + 21st - 1 amp Bioptim
    M-T-W-TH-F - Doses of FM Bak, MinS, AMIN
    M-W-F - 1 drop Bio
    2x / week - 1/2 doses of the aa’s soaked into ultralife

    Soon to add the Power-Trace elements
    1. Strontium/Calcium
    2. Iron/Zinc
    3. Iodine/Boron
    4. Magnesium

    Looks kind of like a pain on paper, but it really only takes 5 minutes a day to dose everything.

  3. miwoodar
    March 5, 2008 at 3:49 pm | Permalink

    E&F - Great little summary.

    Might you have any comments on the potency of your vodka/sugar/acetate concoction relative to any of the proprietary blends? Do you think it is stronger or weaker?

  4. e&f
    March 6, 2008 at 12:50 am | Permalink

    miwoodar,

    Thanks for the comment. I don’t feel we can accurately comment on other brands Carbon sources. I have not tried using KZ’s or FM’s with prodibio, but we are considering to compare the effects to our own DIY mixed C source. If we do, I will be sure to do a write up on it.

    L,

    The new bac from FM concerns me…not in ampoules or in the fridge, im somewhat skeptic. How has it been working for you?

  5. March 24, 2008 at 5:19 am | Permalink

    very nice, looks like poor mans zoavit. going to give this a try.

  6. March 26, 2008 at 7:48 pm | Permalink

    thanks much, dude

2 Trackbacks

  1. […] here’s a write up on the system we use, incorporating prodibio additives and our own mixed C-source achieved through observation and experimentation at glassbox) However, be sure to add a dose per your tank size of the optim. reefbooster can be dosed heavily […]

  2. March 26, 2008 at 12:51 pm

    […] there are many looking to hybridize systems similar to our “method” we discuss here. But Bak and Carbon Sources will only get you so far.  Trace elements and amino acids are […]

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