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10/12/2018, 09:45 AM | #1 |
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 2,152
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Can I use Acetic Acid for a Ca Reactor instead of pressurized CO2?
Like the title suggests, Since the object of adding CO2 to the Ca reactor is to lower the PH to between 6.4 and 6.7 in order to gently dissolve the media, why can't that same principal be accomplished with a vinegar drip, and have the added benefit of adding a carbon source to promote healthy bacterial cultures to boot?
Thanks in advance.
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"If there's nothing wrong with me... then there must be something wrong with the universe!" Current Tank Info: 10 gallon nano with ATS |
10/12/2018, 12:22 PM | #2 |
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Mountain View, CA, USA
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You can do that. Combining Kalk powder and vinegar will form calcium acetate, which is the same thing that would happen with reactor media, and is easier to control. It might get a bit pricey, at worst, and the carbon dose might be a bit much, but it will work. This article has more:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm#7
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Jonathan Bertoni |
10/13/2018, 09:58 PM | #3 |
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Manlius, NY
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It could work in theory, but I'm not sure how much you would have to add and how quickly to hold the appropriate pH. I personally I wouldn't want to link my carbon dosing with my calcium/alkalinity. Would you really want to increase your organic carbon dose every time you want to increase your calcium/alkalinity dosage? Or conversely, if you wanted to decrease your organic carbon dose, how would you maintain appropriate calcium/alkalinity levels?
In short, I'd stick to the traditional method.
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Adam Current Tank Info: Low Tech Reef. 282 gallon starphire display. 2x400W Radiums in Cozumel Sun reflectors. 150 Gallon Rubbermaid Sump w/50 gallon chaeto refugium. Lifereef skimmer. 2-part dosing. |
10/14/2018, 03:37 PM | #4 |
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Mountain View, CA, USA
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There would be a lot of carbon dioxide released if you add vinegar to standard calcium reactor media, and the Kalk should be more soluble, as well.
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Jonathan Bertoni |
10/14/2018, 09:36 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Santa Monica, California, USA
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Will be looking for the first results from this.
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Inventor of the easy-to-DIY upflow scrubber, and also the waterfall scrubber that everyone loves to build: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1424843 |
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