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Unread 05/15/2012, 01:04 PM   #51
Randy Holmes-Farley
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Happy Reefing.


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Unread 05/15/2012, 03:21 PM   #52
funny718
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Randy Holmes-Farley View Post
I'd suggest vinegar, but both can work.
hey randy I forgot to ask, which would be better white vinegar or red and is there a preferred brand?


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Unread 05/15/2012, 05:07 PM   #53
Randy Holmes-Farley
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I recommend cheap distilled white vinegar.


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Unread 06/07/2012, 06:42 AM   #54
irvp13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Randy Holmes-Farley View Post
The amount of calcium and alkalinity added is fairly low, but perhaps useful for some folks. It is much lower than in the limewater you'd get with top off.
Hi Randy, I didnt quite understand you. Are you saying that the amount of Ca and alk ions in Kalk with vinager is lower than in Kalk without vinegar?

I thought that one of the purpouses of adding vinager to Kalk was to increase its Ca and alk potency?

I'm asking because I currently I have a problem where I want to use only Kalk to maintain the Ca and Alk levels but my evaporation is not enough and I have to increase the Kalk potency. I've been trying to do so by adding vinager, but no matter if its 5,10,or 25 ml of vinager per topoff liter I still see the same drop in level everyweek.
Thanks


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Unread 06/07/2012, 10:02 AM   #55
Randy Holmes-Farley
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No, I'm talking about straight vinegar saturated with calcium hydroxide. That solution added to an aquarium will add a lot less calcium and alkalinity than using a normal limewater solution for evaporation replacement, because the amount added is so much less.

You may need to use a two part in addition to the limewater, if you cannot get enough alkalinity and calcium from it, even with added vinegar and using 3 teaspoons lime per gallon.


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Unread 06/07/2012, 03:38 PM   #56
irvp13
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Ok thank you.
Do you have any clues as or why I see the same drop every week regardless of the amount of vinager I use? I'd think I'd see less of a drop if I add more vinager into the solution


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Unread 06/07/2012, 03:39 PM   #57
irvp13
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One other question
Whats the benefit of doing Kalk plus 2 part? Why not just go to 2 part alone? I think I'm going to do Alk from the top off and Ca with a pump plus vinager for bacterial growth



Last edited by irvp13; 06/07/2012 at 03:59 PM.
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Unread 06/07/2012, 03:56 PM   #58
Randy Holmes-Farley
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Are you adding more lime into the solution?

Vinegar alone won't change the potency.


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Unread 06/07/2012, 04:01 PM   #59
irvp13
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I've always used saturated lime. I add a tbs of Kalk and 25ml of vinager to a litre of DI water.


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Unread 06/07/2012, 04:02 PM   #60
Randy Holmes-Farley
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tbs means tablespoon to you?

That's a lot of vinegar. More than I'd want to add to my tank, unless your evaporation is quite low.

I'd look into getting or making a two part to make up the shortfall.


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Unread 06/07/2012, 04:11 PM   #61
irvp13
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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


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Unread 06/08/2012, 05:44 AM   #62
Randy Holmes-Farley
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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.


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Unread 06/08/2012, 07:20 PM   #63
irvp13
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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.


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Unread 06/08/2012, 10:34 PM   #64
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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.


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Unread 02/28/2013, 09:51 AM   #65
kungfukid
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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


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Unread 02/28/2013, 10:15 AM   #66
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kungfukid View Post
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?


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Unread 02/28/2013, 01:17 PM   #67
kungfukid
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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.


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Unread 02/28/2013, 10:55 PM   #68
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Quote:
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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?


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Unread 02/28/2013, 11:54 PM   #69
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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.


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Unread 01/14/2014, 03:43 PM   #70
hugorsf
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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!


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Unread 01/14/2014, 03:46 PM   #71
Vadafallon
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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?


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Unread 01/15/2014, 12:21 AM   #72
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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.


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Unread 01/15/2014, 05:17 AM   #73
wcharon
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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???


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Unread 01/15/2014, 09:24 PM   #74
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Sure, it's reasonable to try. I'd just watch for signs of bacterial growth.


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Unread 01/16/2014, 05:22 AM   #75
wcharon
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Quote:
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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...


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Last edited by wcharon; 01/16/2014 at 05:23 AM. Reason: Include information...
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