Carbon dosing
Adding vodka, vinegar, or biopellets to drive bacterial nitrate consumption.
Bacteria consume organic carbon + nitrate + phosphate, grow, then get skimmed out. Effective at reducing nutrients but easy to overdo — crashing nitrate to zero triggers dinos.
Recommended
Affiliate linksCarbon dosing needs strong skimming + close PO4 monitoring.
Hanna Marine Phosphate ULR Checker (HI774)Phosphate as PO₄ in ppm, 0.00–0.90 range. The everyday reef phosphate checker.View on Amazon →Reef Octopus Classic 110-INT skimmerMid-range workhorse. In-sump, 60 gal heavy / 130 gal light bioload.View on Amazon →
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, reefcalcs earns from qualifying purchases.
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