Vitamin C trial

[Tom@HaslettMI]

I have been watching my zoas slowly decline in my tank since I upgraded from the 50 to 75 gallon. I know that some of the decline is a direct result of a larval jellyfish that looks like a hydroid (mental note: start kalking those SOBs), but even colonies that have no larval jellies near them are declining. I've done some research and based on what I've read and Mr. Microscope's TOTM I'm going to give Vitamin C dosing a try.

I'm about a week into it and have not seen any noticeable improvement in the zoas but my understanding is that it takes few weeks.

I'm dosing a sodium ascorbate powder that I bought a a local health food store. I add a 1/8 teaspoon in the morning and again in the evening. But to be honest I miss a dosing once in awhile. This is on the low end of dosing as the recommended amount for my size tank is 1/4 teaspoon. I will likely increase the dosage in a couple of weeks.

I'm going to document my trials (and hopefully no tribulations) in this tread. I suppose that means I need take and post some pictures...

Tom

[larryandlaura]

I will be following this thread!

[MizTanks]

I'm following also. Tom is there a specific name for the product your using?

[binford4000]

I thought vitamin c was more for the fish ?? I have been doaseing it for a long time so it is hard to say if it is beneficial for corals also. Will be following along also. FYI I use bright wells liquid doaser at 15 drops a week. :oldman:

[Tom@HaslettMI]

I'm following also. Tom is there a specific name for the product your using?

I'm using NOW Foods sodium ascorbate (http://www.nowfoods.com/Supplements/Products-by-Category/Vitamins/Vitamin-C-Powders/M003512.htm). There are cheaper options available to order online... Google "reef tank vitamin C dosing" and you should be able to find it pretty quickly. I don't think the brand matters too much as long as it is for human consumption.

Tom

[Sir Patrick]

Is this sodium ascorbate PH buffered? If I recall correct, there is some out there that is, and unbuffered can cause some substantial swings.

I have always looked at Vit. C dosing as a carbon source, possibly a slightly inferior one compared to vodka, sugar, ect. From my reading and experience the Vit C keeps the water parameters clean while leaving enough disolved solids in a tank for polyps to still feed and maintain, unlike many carbon sources that can cause ULNS that just wont allow a zoa/paly to survive. This is just my experiance and hypothesis, from the outcomes in my trials.

I have also found that dosing Vit C allows you to feed heavier while maintaining high water quality. Another reason I beleive that polyps do well with this approach.

I too will be following along. Always watching to learn something new, or reaffirm the results I have found myself. I still dose Vit C to my tanks, but i use Vitamarine-C by Brightwell Aquatics along side the Microbacter-7.

I am a firm believer that Vit C works. Looking forward to your results.

[Sir Patrick]

I have also heard and seen a few studies on corals and Vit C and its ability to help in calogen repair. Pretty interesting stuff! Not only in zoas, but softies, digitata, ect....

If you are looking for a tried and pretty true (in many peoples opinion) try this-

NutriBiotic, Sodium Ascorbate, Crystalline Powder, 16 oz (454 g) - iHerb.com (http://www.iherb.com/NutriBiotic-Sodium-Ascorbate-Crystalline-Powder-16-oz-454-g/10178?at=0)

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Been quite a while since I've seen anything about vit-c.... don't remember fully but seems like there were some big downs of it, maybe potential impurities that while safe for us but not for a reef really, or super easy to OD and throw something out of wack I don't recall exactly but I just remember it was good enough to sway me away from it when I was considering it (back when I cared about weeds anyways lol).

Goodluck tho, hopefully it will be good for you! If not try getting your water a little "dirtier".

Yeah, there can be issues if it's done too quickly. I've not seen anything about impurities, at least when sodium ascorbate is used. The impurity stuff I read about was when folks were dropping vitamin C (ascorbic acid) capsules straight in their sumps. The main issue there is the pH is way low on those. The stuff I'm using is buffered to a pH of 7.0. So, supposedly safe as long as you don't over dose and maintain alkalinity.

As for dirtier... my tank has already been rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America!

Tom

[MizTanks]

Great now I've got MORE questions!! Guess I'm off to create a new thread.....good luck Tom :)