Vodka dosing for spiderwood

So I know vodka dosing is becoming popular in saltwater, but I haven't seen much about it for freshwater. I'm having an issue where I added some spider wood, and now my tank is all slimy and cloudy. I read that's just bacteria feeding on the sugars in the wood and it will go away eventually, but could vodka dosing help super charge that bacteria to go away faster? It's a 10 gallon heavily planted tank with neon tetras and gouramis. I run high light, ferts and co2

 

So I know vodka dosing is becoming popular in saltwater, but I haven't seen much about it for freshwater. I'm having an issue where I added some spider wood, and now my tank is all slimy and cloudy. I read that's just bacteria feeding on the sugars in the wood and it will go away eventually, but could vodka dosing help super charge that bacteria to go away faster? It's a 10 gallon heavily planted tank with neon tetras and gouramis. I run high light, ferts and co2

Seems like a waste of vodka. I don't really have the answer for you but I'm interested in what others think.

 

Seems like a waste of vodka. I don't really have the answer for you but I'm interested in what others think.

I know I dont have to and I can just let it run its course, but it's in my bedroom and is pretty unsightly to see multiple times a day so I'd like to get rid of it, plus it's an interesting experiment

 

Oh I agree! It is an eyesore. It took about two weeks for my spider wood to shed it. Nerite snails and Platy's helped out a bit.

 

Its normal for driftwood to grow fungus or algae while its adjusting. Just scrub off any fungus or so. Are you performing enough water changes for the water quailty?

 

Its normal for driftwood to grow fungus or algae while its adjusting. Just scrub off any fungus or so. Are you performing enough water changes?

Yeah I have a good water change routine. I just added it a few days ago. Tank is very healthy and fish are unbothered, just gross looking.

 

my mopani wood gets that way. I just scrub it off during a water change using a scrub brush that's fish tank only use. my mopani is 5 months old.

I just removed my snails ( they were killing all the plants) so i expect it'll keep happening over time.

I had read about vodka dosing last year when I had cycling issues. I decided to not bother because 1) I was sacred I'd overdose them and 2) prime is just so much easier & less a headache

JMO!

 

I had the same issue, and water changes never helped. I would change the water and the tank would clear up a but but them go back to cloudy in a day or two. Have you tried Fluval Bio Clear? I believe it can help with cloudy tanks. Maybe give it a shot first. Its cheap and may be safer.

Amazon.com : Hagen Fluval Biological Cleaner for Aquariums, 8.4-Ounce : Aquarium Cleaning Supplies : Pet Supplies

 

I had the same issue, and water changes never helped. I would change the water and the tank would clear up a but but them go back to cloudy in a day or two. Have you tried Fluval Bio Clear? I believe it can help with cloudy tanks. Maybe give it a shot first. Its cheap and may be safer.

Amazon.com : Hagen Fluval Biological Cleaner for Aquariums, 8.4-Ounce : Aquarium Cleaning Supplies : Pet Supplies

I'll consider it, but honestly I'm more interested in the concept behind vodka dosing freshwater. Like I said I cant seem to find much info on how it works here in relation to plants and fish. Maybe I'll try and figure out a dose and let you guys know what happens?