vinegar treatment question

[bboy aqua]

I was wonderin if I could use white distilled vinegar to lower my Ph?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes, although it can also drive bacterial growth and reduce O2.

I discuss it in this article:

High pH: Causes and Cures
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/rhf/index.htm

 

[bboy aqua]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7058349#post7058349 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randy Holmes-Farley
Yes, although it can also drive bacterial growth and reduce O2.

I discuss it in this article:

High pH: Causes and Cures
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/rhf/index.htm

what do u mean by drive bacterial growth?
My tank is fully cycled already if it has anything to do with that

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

No. It means that the acetate in vinegar is a food for many species of bacteria. Add it and they multiply until the food is used up.

 

[bboy aqua]

ohh OK
thats a good thing right?
thnx for the reply

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Well, it can be a good thing if you want bacterial growth. It can reduce nutrients, for example, as they consume nitrate and phosphate to grow. But it can also lead to a lot of bacteria that may form unsightly mats or other things in the tank.

 

[bboy aqua]

how much and how often should I dose?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

How much depends on how high the pH is. The article above gives dosing instructions.