Can I use Acetic Acid for a Ca Reactor instead of pressurized CO2?

dogstar74

Premium Member
Like the title suggests, Since the object of adding CO2 to the Ca reactor is to lower the PH to between 6.4 and 6.7 in order to gently dissolve the media, why can't that same principal be accomplished with a vinegar drip, and have the added benefit of adding a carbon source to promote healthy bacterial cultures to boot?

Thanks in advance.
 
It could work in theory, but I'm not sure how much you would have to add and how quickly to hold the appropriate pH. I personally I wouldn't want to link my carbon dosing with my calcium/alkalinity. Would you really want to increase your organic carbon dose every time you want to increase your calcium/alkalinity dosage? Or conversely, if you wanted to decrease your organic carbon dose, how would you maintain appropriate calcium/alkalinity levels?

In short, I'd stick to the traditional method.
 
There would be a lot of carbon dioxide released if you add vinegar to standard calcium reactor media, and the Kalk should be more soluble, as well.
 
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