If you have not yet read the latest Advanced Aquarist, we must ask why not? In this month’s magazine, Ken Feldman and Kelly Maers explore Total Organic Carbon in the Reef Aquarium in what is likely to become an extremely important series in regards to modern aquaria and carbon dosing techniques. It is a lengthy but easy read [...]
If you have not yet read the latest Advanced Aquarist, we must ask why not? In this month’s magazine, Ken Feldman and Kelly Maers explore Total Organic Carbon in the Reef Aquarium in what is likely to become an extremely important series in regards to modern aquaria and carbon dosing techniques. It is a lengthy but easy read that aptly explains previous findings as well as their own. If you have ever considered carbon dosing it is a must read.
Here’s an excerpt from the article, in regards to our VSV method:
“Any discussion on the relationship between DOC levels and coral health would be remiss without a digression into the currently popular practice of dosing reef tanks with carbon sources, specifically vodka (= ethanol), sugar, and/or vinegar (see Glassbox-Design VSV for a timely discussion).
The logic behind this husbandry technique stems from the speculation that the increase in DOC provided by these chemicals will promote bacterial growth, and this increase in bacterial growth will in turn boost the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus-containing nutrients from the water column. The increased bacterial mass can then be removed by efficient skimming, leading to a net export of undesirable nutrients (N, P) from the aquarium.
A standard recipe has been developed by Eric of Glassbox-Design: 200 mL of 80-proof vodka, 50 mL of vinegar, and 1.5 tablespoons sugar, mixed together. The dosing recommendation with this mixture involves starting with 0.1 mL/20-gal per day, and gradually increasing to a maintenance dose of 0.5 mL/20-gal per day.
How do these carbon input values compare to the carbon (via carbohydrate) input values of Rohwer? In fact, the Eric/Glassbox-Design protocol is equivalent to raising the aquarium water by about 1.1 ppm of C at the maintenance dose. The Rohwer carbon dosing values that led to coral mortality over a 30-day exposure were in the range 2 – 10 ppm of C. So, it appears that the Eric/Glassbox-Design recipe does not leave much margin for error in dosing levels; overdosing by 2-3X might lead to coral mortality. “
Keep in mind the overdosing note, and do not take it lightly. We do have some questions for both Ken and Kelly, that we will pose to them at a later time. As for now, we are anxiously awaiting part II.
