Carbon dosing for 30 gallon

billaweed · 03/18/2018, 10:42 AM

What would be a good amount of vodka 40% to dose my tank with to get phosphate down. This green hair algae is getting outta control

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RobZilla04 · 03/18/2018, 11:08 AM

Carbon dosing will bring down nitrates much faster than phosphates. Run some GFO for phosphate removal with little to no impact on nitrates. Use GFO and carbon dose to bring both down.

IMO a 30g system would benefit more from a 15 gallon WC. You'd instantly cut nitrates and phosphates in half.

New system will be plagued with gha for a while is started with new dry base rock. It's leaching phosphates. If this is an existing system you need to know where the nutrients are coming from or the algae will just come back. Most likely from over feeding.

hersheyb · 03/18/2018, 12:24 PM

big water help... but you can look into vibrant, it'll gets rid of most algae

bertoni · 03/18/2018, 02:04 PM

This article gives a conservative dosing schedule:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...nftt/index.php

Dan_P · 03/18/2018, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertoni

This article gives a conservative dosing schedule:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...nftt/index.php

Maybe it would be a good idea to point out that this table was incorrectly scaled by the original authors starting with the 50 gallon column. All columns are correctly scaled in the first two rows, that is, week 1 (Day 1-3) and week 1 (Day 4-7), but afterwards the dosing schedule is smaller compared to the schedule for the 25 gallon column. There is no scientific reason for this “using less ethanol on larger systems”.

The error might not be a big issue because it causes the chart user to underdose their system, but the underdosing likely prevents a fair trial of carbon dosing to be conducted and to reduce nitrate levels.

mcgyvr · 03/18/2018, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billaweed

What would be a good amount of vodka 40% to dose my tank with to get phosphate down. This green hair algae is getting outta control

What is your current phosphate level?
What have you done to address the phosphate input into the tank?

bertoni · 03/18/2018, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan_P

Maybe it would be a good idea to point out that this table was incorrectly scaled by the original authors starting with the 50 gallon column.

Maybe I should make up a new chart that doesn't have this error. That'd be a good project, in any case.

Dan_P · 03/18/2018, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertoni

Maybe I should make up a new chart that doesn't have this error. That'd be a good project, in any case.

And a generous deed. Thanks.

BeachBumm · 03/19/2018, 06:58 PM

I only use white distilled vinegar in my 29 gal. at 15ml. per day . Nitrates 0-3 PPM on average and I do use GFO for phosphate control . Maybe a cheaper way for you to try .

BeachBumm · 03/21/2018, 06:28 PM

I forgot to add that I modified my biocube lid and have a hang on eshopps PSK75 and when the cup needs emptying what comes out of it smells like a septic tank !! I mean putrid !

billaweed · 03/21/2018, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeachBumm

I forgot to add that I modified my biocube lid and have a hang on eshopps PSK75 and when the cup needs emptying what comes out of it smells like a septic tank !! I mean putrid !

Ill look into gfo. My phosphates are high but my nitrates are only 10 ppm. Green hair is getting outta control!

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RobZilla04 · 03/22/2018, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billaweed

Ill look into gfo. My phosphates are high but my nitrates are only 10 ppm. Green hair is getting outta control!

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15g water change cuts both in half immediately.

mcgyvr · 03/22/2018, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobZilla04

15g water change cuts both in half immediately.

yes on such a small tank water changes are just so easy/effective..

billaweed · 03/22/2018, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobZilla04

15g water change cuts both in half immediately.

Ya, unless the phosphates are coming from the water source. Which i still need to test. I get Ro/di water from the LFS, and they dont have algae problems. Wish my LM Blenny would eat this algae!

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mcgyvr · 03/22/2018, 08:15 AM

I didn't see where you stated your current phosphate level?
Also did you use pukani rock or check your tank when you started to see if the phosphate could be bound/leaching from your rock?
Also describe your current stocking level in the tank and amount of food..

Phosphate problems are from
1-Overfeeding
2-Leaching from the rock
3-Water source (not nearly as likely as 1 and 2)

bertoni · 03/22/2018, 11:36 PM

I agree that live rock appears to be able to leach a lot of phosphate. That can be an annoyance to handle.

BeachBumm · 03/23/2018, 07:39 PM

Lanthanum Chloride can also be used to bring the phosphate levels down pretty quickly .

ajoe · 03/23/2018, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobZilla04

Carbon dosing will bring down nitrates much faster than phosphates. Run some GFO for phosphate removal with little to no impact on nitrates. Use GFO and carbon dose to bring both down.

IMO a 30g system would benefit more from a 15 gallon WC. You'd instantly cut nitrates and phosphates in half.

New system will be plagued with gha for a while is started with new dry base rock. It's leaching phosphates. If this is an existing system you need to know where the nutrients are coming from or the algae will just come back. Most likely from over feeding.

plus one on this. with that size tank a good 30% water change will have as great an effect on parameters as any thing you can add to it at this time.

bertoni · 03/23/2018, 11:40 PM

Lanthanum chloride works and is inexpensive, but the dosing produces a precipitate that should removed from the system, so it's a bit more annoying in practice. That said, it works well and it is very inexpensive compared to GFO.

billaweed · 03/27/2018, 05:55 PM

So oddly enough, i did notice that one rock in particular is where it started. Its kind of like pumice type looking roxk as well. Its now completely covered and i have a little here and there on a few others.

I bought some phos-guard and put it in the sump as well as reduced my lighting cycle by 2 hrs.

Anyone know how long GHA takes to start dying off after the levels have gone down?

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billaweed · 03/27/2018, 05:59 PM

Thats the rock!

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bertoni · 03/27/2018, 09:29 PM

I don't remember how long various people have reported for hair algae die-off. I would give it some number of weeks, at least 2-3, to show much improvement, but that's just a thought.

RobZilla04 · 03/28/2018, 04:22 AM

As you observe die off, or the algae significantly thinning and turning white, water change frequency should be increased. The die off will send those DOC back into the water column to be used by the remaining algae. Hence the cycle of die off/growth will never end.

03/18/2018, 10:42 AM	#1
billaweed Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chehalis, WA Posts: 45	Carbon dosing for 30 gallon What would be a good amount of vodka 40% to dose my tank with to get phosphate down. This green hair algae is getting outta control Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

03/18/2018, 11:08 AM	#2
RobZilla04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 1,857	Carbon dosing will bring down nitrates much faster than phosphates. Run some GFO for phosphate removal with little to no impact on nitrates. Use GFO and carbon dose to bring both down. IMO a 30g system would benefit more from a 15 gallon WC. You'd instantly cut nitrates and phosphates in half. New system will be plagued with gha for a while is started with new dry base rock. It's leaching phosphates. If this is an existing system you need to know where the nutrients are coming from or the algae will just come back. Most likely from over feeding. __________________ 90g Mixed Reef

03/18/2018, 02:04 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	This article gives a conservative dosing schedule: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...nftt/index.php __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

03/22/2018, 08:15 AM	#15
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	I didn't see where you stated your current phosphate level? Also did you use pukani rock or check your tank when you started to see if the phosphate could be bound/leaching from your rock? Also describe your current stocking level in the tank and amount of food.. Phosphate problems are from 1-Overfeeding 2-Leaching from the rock 3-Water source (not nearly as likely as 1 and 2) __________________ Who me?

03/22/2018, 11:36 PM	#16
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I agree that live rock appears to be able to leach a lot of phosphate. That can be an annoyance to handle. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

03/18/2018, 12:24 PM	#3
hersheyb Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Covina Posts: 1,626	big water help... but you can look into vibrant, it'll gets rid of most algae

03/19/2018, 06:58 PM	#9
BeachBumm Registered Bumm Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 176	I only use white distilled vinegar in my 29 gal. at 15ml. per day . Nitrates 0-3 PPM on average and I do use GFO for phosphate control . Maybe a cheaper way for you to try .

03/21/2018, 06:28 PM	#10
BeachBumm Registered Bumm Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 176	I forgot to add that I modified my biocube lid and have a hang on eshopps PSK75 and when the cup needs emptying what comes out of it smells like a septic tank !! I mean putrid !

03/23/2018, 07:39 PM	#17
BeachBumm Registered Bumm Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 176	Lanthanum Chloride can also be used to bring the phosphate levels down pretty quickly .

03/23/2018, 11:40 PM	#19
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Lanthanum chloride works and is inexpensive, but the dosing produces a precipitate that should removed from the system, so it's a bit more annoying in practice. That said, it works well and it is very inexpensive compared to GFO. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

03/27/2018, 05:55 PM	#20
billaweed Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chehalis, WA Posts: 45	So oddly enough, i did notice that one rock in particular is where it started. Its kind of like pumice type looking roxk as well. Its now completely covered and i have a little here and there on a few others. I bought some phos-guard and put it in the sump as well as reduced my lighting cycle by 2 hrs. Anyone know how long GHA takes to start dying off after the levels have gone down? Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

03/27/2018, 05:59 PM	#21
billaweed Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chehalis, WA Posts: 45	Thats the rock! Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

03/27/2018, 09:29 PM	#22
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I don't remember how long various people have reported for hair algae die-off. I would give it some number of weeks, at least 2-3, to show much improvement, but that's just a thought. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

03/28/2018, 04:22 AM	#23
RobZilla04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 1,857	As you observe die off, or the algae significantly thinning and turning white, water change frequency should be increased. The die off will send those DOC back into the water column to be used by the remaining algae. Hence the cycle of die off/growth will never end. __________________ 90g Mixed Reef