VSV + Amino Acid dosing regimen

[concept3]

So yes, it's official. I started a new regimen last night.

Piggy backing off the original regimen of pure Vodka dosing, I have decided to mix it up a bit utilizing Vodka-Sugar-Vinegar in the ratios of 200mL-50mL-1.5 tsp respectively. This is based on a few threads about Carbon dosing that I have been doing research on the past few weeks, and this thread is to show what effects it may or may not have on an already ULNS tank. I say it's an already ULNS tank because I have been dosing ethanol since September and my skimmer is no longer pulling out as much junk as it did the first 90 days. The colors of the corals have gotten much brighter and colorful, also partially because of the spectral changes made within the system. The tank never had any major nitrate or phosphate readings, as a matter of fact, I really had to look pretty hard to see if there were color differences on the test kit charts. The only thing that I wish I could have done different to prepare for this experimental regimen is to change out the halide bulbs out. I purchased these current bulbs in the summer of last year as a used set, supposedly at less than or at 6 months. Well, it's been about 8 months now, and I really should change them out but I will not.

I am going to move forward with the experiment using the following parameters and equipment:
Lighting: Reeflux 12K (over a year old), 250 watts, photoperiod at 4.5 hours
Lighting: T5 (4 X 54 watts) Blue, Actinic, Procolor, Actinic, photoperiod at 6 hours
Water changes: 10% every 2 weeks, or as needed for detritus collection
Feeding: 4 small cubes daily, homemade mix fortified with sugar and Oyster eggs and cyclopeeze


Dosing: 1mL of VSV and 20 drops of Brightwells CoralAmino

 

[concept3]

more to come later with pictures and more notes, right now I have to get back to work! busy Saturday today in Atlantic city!

 

[concept3]

Took pictures yesterday with the following settings:

M mode: 100 @ f3.5
ISO: 100
White balance at 8300K (closest to what I see in real life)

Lights were both on during tank pics


Pictures were taken and loaded on photobucket where they were resized, no post processing of pictures whatsoever

Test subject 1:

Test subject 2:

Test subject 3:

Test subject 4:

Test subject 5:

Test subject 6:

Test subject 7:

 

[concept3]

AND.... this is how I plan on achieving the same pictures from the same angles.

and here is the tank center for myself to use as a comparison in the next 90 days.

I plan on ddocumenting this for only 90 days since I think this is ample time to see measurable results. As always, and I will always repeat myself, please do not attempt to do this to your tank unless you are absolutely certain and understand the possible negative effects. I am a fan of learning and trying different things and am not afraid to do so. I am no expert by any means, this is why I have a decent amount of water and carbon as a backup in case anything happens. I hope to learn from this experience and am happy to share it with the rest of you. I've never been a keyboard warrior who reads and pretends to know it all, I actually like "being in the field", so here goes nothing......

 

[ham]

dam MERV all the frags you sold and you couldnt get new bulbs? i would have given you a loan lol. also are you still running the figi purple? getting warmer we need to do some riding just to get away from the tanks good luck dude

 

[concept3]

frag money went to prodibio, 600 gallons of salt and Amino acids and still have about 20 frags or so left, lol. Yes, I'm still running the Procolor (similar to Fiji purple)



Some comparisons side by side (First pic is last week's, second pic is yesterday's):

 

[john90009]

very nice growth so far along with the colors, my first one is my favorite, what kind of coral is that?

 

[JRWOHLER]

Darn I am blind I cannot see a darn bit of difference.

 

[concept3]

very nice growth so far along with the colors, my first one is my favorite, what kind of coral is that?

thanks, it is a sunset montipora

Darn I am blind I cannot see a darn bit of difference.

James, I find it hard to see the differences sometimes too, but look at the edges of the corals and the number of branches (new growth, thickness, etc...)



-----------------------------
- no signs of skimmate production increase with the new combination. No cyano bacteria present and the small tufts of hair algae are still present where the tangs can't reach.
some corals however, have shown some lightening of color, I'm almost afraid that the past few days of warmth have increased the temperature of the tank a little more. I've been keeping the AC on at 82 to kick in, and I noticed the tank at 84 this past Sat after I got back home. Will keep it monitored, growth is still good, keeping the dose at 20 drops for now, I may discontinue use if some of the SPS continue to lose color and see if its the cause


Here are some comparison pictures from the first week to today (almost 3 weeks)-



The sunset montipora has kept its color and is doing pretty well getting larger-

The purple on the cap got a little darker, but not as noticeable unless seen side by side as the pic depicts. Growth is not bad either

This millepora seems to have reacted in a negative way. It looks like it lightened up a bit (it is directly under the halide)

 

[blange3]

So do you think thats more growth than you would have had without juicing the tank?

 

[ricwilli]

Merv, isn't your tank at ULN already? Maybe 20 drops is to much. If you are loosing colors, maybe try 10 drops.

 

[concept3]

So do you think thats more growth than you would have had without juicing the tank?

I think it's more or less the same than just adding the vodka.

Merv, isn't your tank at ULN already? Maybe 20 drops is to much. If you are loosing colors, maybe try 10 drops.

I think you're right. I read on RC that CoralAmino is a bit strong so I reduced it to 10 as you mentioned. Looking at the green cap, it looks a little lighter too..... I'll see if that helps get the color back up on the milli.

 

[ham]

hey merv looking at the green cap the purple looks a little less bright then it did with just the straight vodka