Methods for Creating an Ultra-Low Nutrient System?

There are a few really good threads on RC & reefkeeping magazine.

I know it can get very expensive if you let it.

Alot of people have had really good luck dosing plain old vodka. I am going to try it soon to get better colors out of my corals.

Vodka you use .1ml per 25 gallons daily.

If you want to run Zeo, there is a site that details everything you want to know. Bill (einsteins) ran one for years, you may want to PM him about it.

 

Look into Right Now Bacteria and the Hiatt system.
I went against EVERYONES advice and took a chance to use it, I'm glad I did.
I saved hundreds on hardware and it's really quite nice.
The only reviews/dislikes I've ever found from people who have actually used the system is they quit using it because they're tanks were too sterile.
Personally I find it perfect because I have puffers, and they're super messy, and it lets me overfeed with no worries of nitrate buildup and I can pretty much do anything and nothing "crashes" the tank or causes mini cycles. I've just got the tank and the FX5 with the TBPC in it, still gotta add the ph rock to it, but haven't had too big of fluctuations yet without it.
I can literally clean the canister completely (destroying the bacterial bed), add a little RNB, and the mini cycle doens't last more than 12-24 hours and never goes above .5ppm in amm/trites.
Otherwise I never have polyp/extension problems with the corals I've introduced, they've all actually opened up fully in the acclimation bucket about halfway through.
I've yet to see anything that compares to it, even Zeo, mainly because if you break down costs involved, RNB and the Hiatt cycle win every time.
Cost me about 45-50$ just for the TBPC and the bacteria(the system is set for 5 years). I think that's 1 purchase of Zeo. That's still cheaper than all the other hardware + a bottle of vodka.
I thought about trying vodka dosing but have heard pretty mixed results, let alone I find it funny that people who know what they're doing STILL have problems with nitrates, AND THEN continue to vodka dose because of their "problems" with nitrates...
/shurg just my .02$
I'll never setup a SW tank with reactors/skimmers/fuges again..

 

I was having phosphate issues resulting in hair algae so Iv been dosing vodka since Jan. I dose 2ml in morning and night
hair algae gone and coral really colored. IMO why not.

 

Posted By Tony L. on 06/22/2010 01:19 AM 
I've noticed a marked increase in algae and am starting to get cyano for the first time. I'm taking the initial steps of increasing the flow/circulation in my tank and replacing my overdue bulbs. However, these things will only work to control the problem and I'm looking for more of a solution. I have initially started reading up on vodka dosing but wanted to gain some insight into some of the other dosing methods one can use to create a ULNS environment and some of the products available. So, what do ya know? It depends on your view.  In my opinion, you answered your own question because the solution is to increase your flow and changing your overdue bulbs.  If you changed those 2 components, you wouldn't need vodka.   If you start dosing vodka, you have added another component, thus making your husbandry even more complex.  Keep it simple by addressing the current issues because they will not go away and save the vodka for you!

 

I've thought about trying this, the only problem I can for see is the fact that I would need to handle vodka once a day....that could only lead to one thing. Drunkness.

The only other reason why I haven't done it is, well...I have no reason to. My corals look great and my nitrates are at very acceptable levels.

I would like to see some "before and after" shots though.

Get it? SHOTS? /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/wink.gif