Dosing Vineger different than Kalk w/vineger?

[orthokardia]

I am confused on a point concerning dosing vineger. All the discussions i have found as well as our reef club members state the amount of vineger is critical and should be closely controlled. I can not figure out how dosing is different that using viniger to get more kalk into solution. when i dosed kalk before the 2 part days i would pour some viniger in with the kalk, swirl it around, and set the drip. no measureing or attempt to be consistent with the amount as the goal was kalk into solution. I ask a few chemist types at work and they could not explain the difference, but none were reefers. any insight is appritiated.

-bart

 

[andyt2989]

I am confused on a point concerning dosing vineger. All the discussions i have found as well as our reef club members state the amount of vineger is critical and should be closely controlled. I can not figure out how dosing is different that using viniger to get more kalk into solution. when i dosed kalk before the 2 part days i would pour some viniger in with the kalk, swirl it around, and set the drip. no measureing or attempt to be consistent with the amount as the goal was kalk into solution. I ask a few chemist types at work and they could not explain the difference, but none were reefers. any insight is appritiated.

-bart

When vinegar is added you are adding an organic acid this will lower the pH and make organic carbon available. Adding it with Kalc will reduce the effect that this has on the pH - but you are still adding the carbon. Carbon dosing will cause increased growth of bacteria if your system is carbon limited - this is generally a good thing, but can be bad if you go too fast, leading to white slime and oxygen depletion. Which is why it is a good idea to control the amount of vinegar used and increase it slowly.

 

[orthokardia]

i am currently adding about 10-12ml of strait vinegar to my 350gal (total) system once a day. Is this enough to affect the Ph? If I add kalk how much would you recommend to start. I am dosing BRS 2 part also.