dosing with vinegar (and other home made additives)??

[DeMarcusR]

This might be covered several times on RC but since I'm not a paying member and cant get access to the search function, I figured I'd ask here.

Why do some of you reef gurus dose vinegar?

If it's beneficial and cheaper than commerially available products, what are some other home made (cheaper) ways of adding beneficial "stuff" to our systems??

 

[Ashlar]

Two reasons.. lowers ph in kalk solution, letting more calcium be dissolved per volume, and it acts as a carbon source, fueling bacterial growth.

 

[Serk]

I mix vinegar with my kalkwasser for several reasons:

-It lowers (Slightly) the pH of the kalkwasser
-It allows more calcium to be packed into a given volume of kalkwasser
-It provides a carbon source to feed de-nitryfying anareobic bacteria (Re: the Vodka dosing method, but a lot cheaper!)

Here's a few links for some info:

http://www.reefscapes.net/articles/breefcase/kalkwasser.html

http://www.reef-aquarium.net/resources/chemicals/kalkwasser.html

http://www.petsforum.com/personal/trevor-jones/kalkwasser.html

(Those links are primarily a primer on kalkwasser, with just a few paragraphs about vinegar)

Hope that makes sense...

If you're considering dosing vinegar, IMHO, only bother if you're already dripping kalkwasser, and start with a TINY amount and watch your tank closely...

 

[DeMarcusR]

@Serk wrote:

I'm currently not dosing anything. (system not set up yet) however, I am looking for a less expensive substitute to a ca reactor so dosing Kalk would probably be a good start.

 

[Tremelle]

Here is a link for a DIY 2 part Calcium and Alkalinity additive, http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/april2004/chem.htm.

 

[GraviT]

@Serk wrote:

Ditto!!

 

[Jaguar]

@Serk wrote:

I thought you said it was because it made your tank smell prettier! :lol: I can't ever remember why I'm glad someone else asked you this time.

 

[Mark]

Could someone tell me how much vineger to add to 5 gal. of calcium mix. I dose regular with calcium(pickle lime).

 

[HELIREEFER]

not to threadjack but mark, could you you tell me where you get your pickling lime? I cant find it anywhere local??

thanks

 

[melev]

@HELIREEFER wrote:

We have a club member that gives it away for free in the Members Only Forum. Tri is his name.

 

[GraviT]

@Mark wrote:

I use about 3.5 ounces per 5 gallons of kalkwasser. I would start slowly, maybe 1 tbsp per gallon and work your way up from there.

 

[Mark]

Thanks Kevin that what i started with 1 tbs

 

[mmiller40]

@HELIREEFER wrote:

Ball Pickling Lime (not pickling salt). I get mine in the canning section of Walmart, Albertsons, Kroger, although the one place that ALWAYS seems to have some instock is Fiesta or any mexican grocery store. About 2$ a pound. Albertsons/walmart see to carry it seasonally.