Adding Vodka to Kalk topoff? (1 Viewer)

[JSimpson]

Hello All,

I've started dosing Vodka in my 90 gallon tank to try and help with algae. I'm up to about 3ml/day so far, increasing at 0.5ml per week. My question is if it would be OK to add the Vodka to my kalk topoff reservior? I topoff about 1 gallon per day with an aqualifter pump running about 10 times daily, so I thought it would simplify things if I added Vodka at 3ml/gallon the the kalk mix. My topoff container holds just about a weeks worth of kalk, so it would be simple to increase the dose each week if needed. It seems like this would not only keep me from forgetting to dose the Vodka, but would also spread the Vodka dosing more evenly throughout the day as opposed to 1/2 in the morning and 1/2 in the evening like I currently do.

So, anyone see any problems doing this?

Thanks,

Joe

 

[Rick]

I am currently doing vinegar and Vit C in my top off.
I was also considering adding the Vodka to dose for algae.
I think it is a good idea myself.

 

[Timanator]

There is a Site sponsor that owns a liquor store if you need more vodka.

 

[ReefWatcher]

V

There is a Site sponsor that owns a liquor store if you need more vodka.

LOL!!!!!You might also ask for a Marshreef discount on Vodka's.LOL

 

[flexrac]

too funny!
he has grade A vodka, straight from ORA.

 

[Guest]

You might end up dosing extra vodka on weeks where evaporation is high.

Re: using vinegar and vit-c in a top-off without kalk, it is possible for bacterial contamination to take over. The kalk makes it difficult for any bacteria to grow.

 

[JSimpson]

You might end up dosing extra vodka on weeks where evaporation is high.

Actually, that isn't a problem. The aqualifter is on a digital timer and runs about 8 or 10 times a day for 4 minutes each, so it adds the same amount of kalk regardless of evaporation. By trial and error I finally adjusted it so the sump return area water level doesn't fluctuate more than 1/4" over the course of a week.

BTW, before anyone tells me that topoff system won't work reliably - it's been working just fine for 3 or 4 years now. 8)

 

[Guest]

Well you know just recently one of my digital timers messed up during a thunderstorm and got stuck in the "on" position. Luckily it was only controlling an air-pump I use at nights.

The storm completely messed the timer up, even a full reset had no effect. Funny thing is, I have three other identical timers that weren't affected.

Regarding mixing up various solutions in your top-off there is a big thread on reefcentral about this, maybe a few weeks old. Couple of bigshots commented. Basically, there was this guy who wanted to mix vodka, kalk, magnesium, and some other stuff.

 

[JSimpson]

Thanks for the info. I did finally get my password back from ReefCentral and posted the question there as well. Sounds like Vodka and Kalk is OK.

I realize that my topoff system (like any) isn't 100% foolproof, I just didn't want the thread to wander off into some discussion of the merits of different topoff/floatswitch etc. methods.

If you don't mind me asking, what do you use the air pump at nights for?

thanks again for the help,

Joe

 

[Guest]

I use to raise my low pH, due in part to my calcium reactor.