Adding vinegar to kalk water top off

[Mark...]

Does anyone add vinegar to their kalk water to prevent C02 from degrading the kalk water? I read Randy's article about it and he seems of the opinion that its not all that necessary, but can be useful. I generally mix 5 gals of kalk for my top off every 5-6 days so it does not sit around too long.

Mark...

 

[saltkreep88]

I add vinegar so I can dissolve more kalk so I don't have to dose even with sps colonies. I also get the added benefit of a carbon source.

 

[Mark...]

I add vinegar so I can dissolve more kalk so I don't have to dose even with sps colonies. I also get the added benefit of a carbon source.

How much vinegar do you add per gallon? Also how much kalk per gallon...thanks!

 

[saltkreep88]

30ml vinegar per gallon, 2 1/2 teaspoon kalk per gallon. At 45ml vinegar for 3 teaspoon kalk I got to much bacteria slime

 

[Mark...]

30ml vinegar per gallon, 2 1/2 teaspoon kalk per gallon. At 45ml vinegar for 3 teaspoon kalk I got to much bacteria slime

Thanks for sharing. I use the same amount of kalk. I'm going to try the vinegar too.

 

[saltkreep88]

Only 2 teaspoons can dissolve pet gallon without vinegar. You probably have some falling to the bottom of the container

 

[Mark...]

Only 2 teaspoons can dissolve pet gallon without vinegar. You probably have some falling to the bottom of the container

Yes I do...

 

[jimroth]

I had a lot of success with vinegar boosted kalk back in my 65G days. Some good articles I have read point out that the issue is really a form of carbon dosing, rather that more calcium.

 

[Mark...]

Started to add vinegar to the kalk today. Curious as to the results I get. Have the new Hanna alk and Calcium checkers coming from BRS so I can keep a closer eye on things.

 

[Mark...]

Received my Hanna Calcium and Alk test kits and dkh is 7.7 and calcium is 578...I tested my calcium with my Red Sea also and it says calcium is 500. Should I try to raise my alk? I know the calcium is high, but I've read its not a major issue. Water change is tomorrow.

Currently using kalk with vinegar in ATO.

 

[saltkreep88]

What salt mix are you using? And I prefer my alk between 7 and 8. Natural ocean water is 7

 

[Mark...]

What salt mix are you using? And I prefer my alk between 7 and 8. Natural ocean water is 7

I use plain old IO...so based on my numbers leave thing alone.

 

[saltkreep88]

That's really high calcium for io, did you use any other calcium additive besides kalk?

 

[Mark...]

That's really high calcium for io, did you use any other calcium additive besides kalk?

When my calcium was 400 I added calcium on 11/24, on my red sea kit calcium was 430 on 11/25 and 435 on 11/28. Haven't done anything else since.