Anyone heard of using Vodka for a carbon source?

[tlyons01]

This was lightly mentioned in another forum I belong to, though it has yet to be explained. I just wanted to see if anyone here has heard of it, used it or could shed some light on the subject?

Please do...

[Zefrik]

I know people do that with saltwater tanks. It is supposed to work with a protein skimmer to extract more junk from the water. I have never heard of it being used in a freshwater tank though.

[harley1964]

vodka is frequently used as a food source for
a denitrator filter because of the sugars in the vodka.
I never had the nerve to do it that way.
I always used macro alga's and live rock
for nitrate removal.

[Jeff5614]

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/fe...ied-vodka.html

[StrungOut]

I heard of amano using carbonated water as a source of carbon, never heard the vodka thing.

[tlyons01]

Thank you for the link Jeff, I actually searched it here and only had time to go through about 3 pages of results.
I'm off to read this one now

[Jeff5614]

Originally Posted by tlyons01

Thank you for the link Jeff, I actually searched it here and only had time to go through about 3 pages of results.
I'm off to read this one now

No problem. Be sure to give us a summary .

[Hoppy]

Vodka is just alcohol and water. If you could use alcohol as a substitute for CO2 I can't believe that Seachem would be selling Excel for that purpose. I don't believe alcohol is a bioavailable source of carbon for plants.

[DerekFF]

I dont need to know jack about this topic to call shenanigans

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[tlyons01]

Yes, I have not been able to locate anything that supports what the other person was talking about. In fact, I have only found threads mentioning how it does not work in a freshwater tank, though for salt water that is not the case. At any rate, I won't be experimenting this. I just thought I would research it out. I will however, listen to the other persons point of view... but I will leave it at that!

[lauraleellbp]

Run a forum search on the word "vodka" and you should pull up plenty of threads.

[tlyons01]

Originally Posted by DerekFF

I dont need to know jack about this topic to call shenanigans

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I have to say, that the person who brought it up sounded very sincere. Apparently he has been dosing his tanks in small quantities for some time, though I do not know the full story as of yet, just the overview

[tlyons01]

Originally Posted by lauraleellbp

Run a forum search on the word "vodka" and you should pull up plenty of threads.

Thanks, I did but the first 3 pages were mostly about euthanizing or detrinizing(sp), I'm not sure if that is right. Anyway, I ran out of time to read them so I thought I would throw out the question..

I will do my homework on the search

[DerekFF]

After researching this topic with serious intent this is what ive found. Vodka/sugar/vinegar are used because the sugar is an "organic carbon" (OC) source. The OC seems to help fuel bacteria with the denitrification process and also the removal of excess phosphates. This apparently a goal for reef keeper to attain water with no nitrates or phosphates as it promotes coral health and growth. However in the 9-10 articles on it that ive read so far i have yet to read anything done in a scientific manner or anything very much more in depth in explanation that what ive laid out here and therefor could be nothing more than a placebo effect. This is just a summary of my findings, do not take them to be fact or truth. This is just how im understanding the articles ive been reading about the subject. I dont think the goal of a fresh water planted tank is 0/0/0 ammo/ite/ate readings though and we also dont use protein skimmers as is nearly 100% required for good results when using the vodka dosings for salt water. Also carbon comes in many forms and organic carbon and bio-available carbon are not the same thing

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