Can I use Acetic Acid for a Ca Reactor instead of pressurized CO2?

dogstar74 · 10/12/2018, 09:45 AM

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.

bertoni · 10/12/2018, 12:22 PM

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

blanden.adam · 10/13/2018, 09:58 PM

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.

bertoni · 10/14/2018, 03:37 PM

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.

SantaMonica · 10/14/2018, 09:36 PM

Will be looking for the first results from this.

10/12/2018, 09:45 AM	#1
dogstar74 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Wyoming Posts: 2,152	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. __________________ "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
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	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 __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

10/13/2018, 09:58 PM	#3
blanden.adam Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Manlius, NY Posts: 1,666	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. __________________ 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
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	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. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

10/14/2018, 09:36 PM	#5
SantaMonica Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Santa Monica, California, USA Posts: 2,511	Will be looking for the first results from this. __________________ 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