Randy's vinegar dosing limit. I found it!

[irvp13]

Lol tea spoon I meant, 5mg. Yeah I don't have a lot of evaporation. I mix 6 gallons and it lasts for two weeks.
I wanted to avoid the two part to save on the dosing pumps but I don't think Im going to be able to. It's weird because I really don't have a lot of Sps or clams, I have mostly LPS.
Ce la vie

Thanks for the advice

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You may not need a dosing pump since the extra demand is not that high. Manual dosing a few times a week is probably adequate.

 

[irvp13]

That's the thing, sometimes I need to travel and leave the tank unattended for weeks.
Maybe I can start with alk from the topoff and Ca with a diaphragm pump on a timer.

 

[MarcWeaver]

I just saw this thread. I get the same results with overdosing of NOPOX. More algae on the glass, bryopsis out of control, zoanthids dying, LPS shriveling and fading, and SPS coral turns a dullish purple-brown color, and cyano so thick chemi-clean was the only way I could get rid of it. Once I figured out that I was killing the tank, I stopped and resumed a week later at a lower dose, and things started improving rapidly and cyano has not been back for a month. The GHA I was trying to kill was growing quicker, and once I lowered the dose it all died off within 2 weeks along with most of the bryopsis. There must be something in NOPOX that algae can utilize if overdosed.

 

[kungfukid]

would somebody please tell me about this.
I started using vinegar about 10 days ago (I am now up to 10ml daily on a 75g total water volume).
All my live rocks used to cover with purple coraline nicely. Ever since I started using vinegar, now all the rocks has turned into white.

I used to clean the glass a couple of times a week due to green algae (normal). Since dosing vinegar, nothing on the glass (no algae what soever).

is this expected?

please post your feed back, much appreciate it

 

[kenith]

would somebody please tell me about this.
I started using vinegar about 10 days ago (I am now up to 10ml daily on a 75g total water volume).
All my live rocks used to cover with purple coraline nicely. Ever since I started using vinegar, now all the rocks has turned into white.

I used to clean the glass a couple of times a week due to green algae (normal). Since dosing vinegar, nothing on the glass (no algae what soever).

is this expected?

please post your feed back, much appreciate it

Why did you start vinegar dosing? Definitely sounds like you've stripped all the nutrients out of the tank. Did you have an issue with the tank before?

 

[kungfukid]

well, I was just trying to achieve a better coral coloration because vinegar could help reduce nitrate and phosphate.
My phosphate is always high (.1 - .15) all the time.

 

[kenith]

well, I was just trying to achieve a better coral coloration because vinegar could help reduce nitrate and phosphate.
My phosphate is always high (.1 - .15) all the time.

Were you having issues with algae or brown sps?

 

[bertoni]

I'm not sure exactly why the coralline is having trouble. I agree that the vinegar might be starving it, but I'd check the phosphate, nitrate, alkalinity, and calcium levels before making any assumptions.

 

[hugorsf]

Hi Randy!

I can't find white distilled vinegar in Portugal, only wine/apple/balsamic vinegar. I presume wine vinegar it's ok but it's not crystal white, as a color, and can "dirt" the water.

Can i use any other source of carbon (besides Vodka)?

I think i can get pure acetic acid, but i have to search, can it be used without diluition?

Medical Alcahool?

Thanks!

 

[Vadafallon]

I have some cyano and green hair algae issues. Would dosing Vinegar help that? I do have some Chaeto in my refug, would it hurt it?

 

[bertoni]

I would avoid using wine vinegar. I would dilute an acetic acid product for safety in handling, depending on the concentration. Concentrated acetic acid can do a lot of damage.

Dosing vinegar can help with cyanobacteria and hair algae, but every tank is different. You could try it, although the Chaetomorpha might fade away over time.

 

[wcharon]

I am using full saturated Kalk at a rate of 2 tsb per gallon on my tank and also dosing 60ml of ALK daily. My evaporation rate is very low and my question is:

Can i try vinager thru ATO with Kalk to streghten up a little and see if i can avoid dosing ALK???

 

[bertoni]

Sure, it's reasonable to try. I'd just watch for signs of bacterial growth.

 

[wcharon]

Sure, it's reasonable to try. I'd just watch for signs of bacterial growth.

OK... Sorry for the dumb question but just want to be sure... When you say bacterial growth signs we are talking cloudy water right??? What are other signs if i am correct???

What is a good starting point 10ml per gallon???

Thanks...

 

[bertoni]

That's not a dumb question. Cloudy water is one possibility. Another is slimy films or something similar. This article gives dosing recommendations:

http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index...ar-dosing-methodology-for-the-marine-aquarium

It's conservative, but if you're patient, the guidelines should be reasonably safe.

 

[wcharon]

Thanks. I really appreciate it.

 

[bertoni]

You're welcome! Good luck!

 

[s2nhle]

Hi! all,
I just found this site. It has a lot of useful information about vinegar dosing. I am currently mixing 30ml of distilled vinegar with 2 tsp of kalk.Several months ago, I also dosing Voka at 1ml per day on my 60g reef tank with SPS dominated. I noticed the brown coraline started to spread all over the tank and the rocks.
Does this is the effect of carbon dosing? should I stop mixing vinegar with kalk? Thanks,

 

[bertoni]

Does this brown growth come off easily to the touch? If so, it's likely not coralline. Yes, the vinegar might be encouraging this growth, whatever it is. Let's get some more details, though, and work from there.