is using sugar to control nitrates safe?

[php1775]

recently read about people successfully using SMALL doses of sugar to drop nitrate levels.tried it and it works.
what are the downsides of using sugar,if any.

 

[LaneBrain]

Following!

 

[reefkeeper2]

Sugar, vodka, vinegar will all work. Some people will make a combination of two or even three of them. I use vodka myself as it seems to work best for me. I recently found that it works even better when it is dosed evenly throughout the day instead of all at once.

 

[phg1960]

Reefkeeper is correct. I use vinegar on my large tank and vodka on the smaller. The large tank is a mixed reef system. Had a few things that didn't seem to tolerate vodka. Vinegar worked well. The second tank is dedicated to seahorses and a couple of zoas. Vodka works fine on that.

As mentioned, sugar also works. I've heard some reports that sugar is more susceptible to bacteria blooms. Haven't tried it myself. If you search on "VSV" dosing you'll find plenty of info on using a combination of all three as well as dosing separately.

 

[chadfish]

Chaeto works too. Kinda of too well, I’ve bottomed out

 

[highfive52]

Mb7 works awesome

 

[highfive52]

recently read about people successfully using SMALL doses of sugar to drop nitrate levels.tried it and it works.
what are the downsides of using sugar,if any.

It works. Try mb7. Youll be much happier

 

[php1775]

thank you all. have been using microbacter 7 as well.love that product.
also going to try vodka since this is going to be a seahorse tank