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Unread 12/19/2017, 02:26 PM   #23
hkgar
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Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Dewitt MI
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tmz View Post
Hard to say. Vodka is ethanol and water. The ethanol goes to acetate which feeds heterotrophic bacteria that use it as a carbon source ;they also deplete other elements particularly PO4 and NO3. Both are used by corals in their growth process including their control of the growth of the skeletal matrix ; depleting them requires the coral to adjust. If deficiencies in nitrogen or phosphate occur it can throw the balance for controlled growth off; more so it seems when higher alk encourages faster calcification.

FWIW I have been dosing vodka and vinegar for over 8 years in a a heavily fed mixed reef system with a majority of sps. PO4 holds between .02 to .04 ppm with NO3 under 1ppm. alk in the 8 to 10 dkh range doesn't occasion burnt tips or other stn in my case.

Once in a while a very small of sodium nitrate offsets any potential nitrogen deficiency.
If I remember correctly, you are dosing vinegar/vodka at 70/30? How many ml/gallon are you dosing? Thanks


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