Carbon Dosing DIY NoPox Vodka / Vinegar

[@patterdalezipsuzilil]

I done for some reason 150ml water and 35cl vodka will it make much difference the vodka was a 35cl bottle

[@bytime2762]

Questions, Why not sugar? I see most people using vinegar or vodka, is there any reason not using sugar? Thanks

[@captivebredcanada]

I just copy the Red Sea carbon. Really vinegar alone would be the easiest but this seems to work for me for many many years so I stick with it.

[@bytime2762]

@@captivebredcanada Thanks,

[@laminar_flow]

Very Nice! How long does a liter of the mix last for your tank?

[@captivebredcanada]

Just over 3 months, I dose 10ml a day which seems to be my dialed in dose. I feed pretty heavily to keep my nutrients from getting too low, but I really base this number more on protein skimmer production and how fast my filter socks clog vs just N and P of course if I stripped the water I'd lower it. I originally started making my own because the lfs I used to buy it from didn't have it one week. I knew it was pretty easy to make and decided to switch to diy which is an easier transition then going to straight vinegar which I also could have done.

[@patterdalezipsuzilil]

Hi what %proof vodka you using and what is your dosing rate per gallon is it the same as the no3 po4x

[@captivebredcanada]

40% - this recipe is supposed to be the closest to nopox but you can really use any, just adjusted based on your needs. I dose 10ml for 110ish water volume but it took a long time to get dialed into this number. I no longer adjust it unless I see a drastic change in no3/p04.

[@ThaNewGenesis]

Are you still dosing nopox regularly?

[@captivebredcanada]

I switched to just vinegar on account of being too lazy to go to the liquor store.

[@supavisah]

Do you pour it directly into the aquarium? If so, how much and how often?

[@Combatants1]

Hey sorry to bring up an old video, are you still using this diy method?

[@captivebredcanada]

Yes. It's been at least 5 or 6 years since I switched from red sea to diy nopox.

[@patterdalezipsuzilil]

I didn't get any answers is the dosing same as origanal no3 po4x

[@captivebredcanada]

Yes. This recipe is supposed to be the closest. When you switch you should verify the results via high quality test kits.

[@markbenton1485]

I used it good stuff went from 40 down too 5 in 8 days nitrates level use once a week

[@9StickNate]

Cool video!

[@garrett_9092]

I carbon dose with sugar. Also you don't need vodka and vinegar. Vodka, sugar, and vinegar all do the same thing. A bag of sugar cost me 2 dollars and I only does 1/8 tsp every other day to keep my nitrates right around 3ppm

[@zaidpayan2980]

Each feed a different strain of bacteria. Or so they say

[@arturasnx7575]

hi, redsea safety data sheet implies nopox consists of ~25% etanol, ~4% acetic acid, ~2% methanol - the rest we assume rodi vater. if your vinegar 5% strong, vodka 40% - your recipie gives you 60% strong (diluted) nopox. with ~50% savings - why bother :) ofcourse as a backup in case original supply dries - its invaluable

[@arturasnx7575]

..in my country vinegar is usually 9% strong. the recipie would be 585ml vodka + 415ml vinegar = 94% strong nopox..

[@captivebredcanada]

Yes I am using 5% I probably should have mentioned that. The recipe I use is common on many forums but as renowned reef chemist Randy Homes Farley says the specific ratio is not that important. You can add more vinegar or just do vinegar. It's been years since I switched from the red sea product, so while there may have been an initial difference in dosing using a weaker solution that has long since corrected itself due to the passage of time. If I were just starting carbon dosing today I'd probably go with just vinegar as it's cheaper but for the amounts I use I see no reason to change. The only way I will change my dosage is if nitrates ever come back at 0 I'll reduce / eliminate but I seem to feed enough to ensure this doesn't happen.

[@malnogar2015]

Haha, yeah they finish up with half the strength of solution but claim they saved half of the money... This is some advanced math :D

[@rhombifer566]

Interesting 🤔

[@cartucho360]

Thank you