Vinegar Dosing

MadReefer · Jan 26, 2012

I do not keep SPS; for some reason it doesn't due well in my tank no matter what. I do know that Tom, TGEE, doses vinegar and his SPS is very colorful and huge. Sad he is getting out but he'll be back. Also, Qwik is dosing vinegar and vodka and has SPS. You are better off asking them. I can say that my zoas are more open and colorful since dosing vinegar along with my toadstools extending well. I have a 4 bulb T5 fixture over a 75g tank. I am using a AquaMedic Multi Turbo skimmer. The pieces of cyano I was able to remove manually did not come back yet. I still have some but cannot get to it. I may pull the 2 rocks out and get it that way.

MadReefer · Jan 28, 2012

I test my nitrates yesterday and still about 3ppm.
I did a 10g water change earlier and will test again in a few hours.
If no change will bump up the dosage to 15ml daily.

MadReefer · Jan 29, 2012

After the WC there was a small change. Nitrates are almost zero about 1ppm I would say. I will now start dosing 15ml daily.

Flare1185 · Jan 29, 2012

What test kit are you using? Do you dose straight to your sump or do you mix vinegar with saltwater and do you do one dosage or split your dosage? Light off or light on? Thanks

MadReefer · Jan 30, 2012

I have an API test kit, not very accurate for this measurement and am pretty much guessing. The color scheme is yellow 0ppm to Orangish 5ppm. I have a slight orange tint right now. I was dosing directly to the sump one complete dosage. However, some coral in the direction of the return flow don't like that, hammer lost 2 heads. I have started to mix the vinegar in a cup of SW first and then add it to the sump, still one complete dosage. I started this 2 days ago and will see how it works.

Flare1185 · Jan 30, 2012

Light on or light off?

downbeach · Jan 30, 2012

When I dose anything I put it in my top off water.

MadReefer · Jan 30, 2012

Lights on as I dose in the daytime.

Until I reach my maintenance dose I don't see value in adding to my top off. How much is going into the DT daily? I can go through 5g of top off in 2 or 4 days depending on quick water evaporates.

Flare1185 · Jan 30, 2012

I've read depending on your ATO storage container if it's an open bucket or something simliar it can affect the vinegar with bacteria.

downbeach · Jan 30, 2012

I go through 2 Gal. daily. I have three two gallon jugs I use, one with Kalk, one with Alk and one with SW. I use the one with Kalk every day and if I have to bump the Alk I'll use that one, if my SG starts to drop, I'll use that one. I was dosing the vinegar with the kalk. My sump is located in my cabinet and it's just easier for me to add the supplements to the top off jug, shake it up and pour it in. Although I mix the kalk one day and use it the next.

Flare1185 · Jan 31, 2012

Do you test daily?

MadReefer · Jan 31, 2012

I test at least every 7 day sometimes 4 days. The article on Reef Keeping states to test every 3 to 4 days and increase dosing if no change. I was waiting a week but not anymore. I believe my hesitation caused my hair algae and cyano outbreak. I was feeding the bacteria to cause this. As I does more the cyano has subsided HA is starting to turn red; I hope it will eventually die.

Flare1185 · Jan 31, 2012

By hesitation do you mean upping the dosage or cutting back?

MadReefer · Jan 31, 2012

I mean by starting out to low in the beginning. The dosage in the article I read was 1ml for every 10g. I should have started at around 8ml daily but I cut it way back and only reached that about two weeks ago. SO now I test between 4 and 7 days and increase the dosage by 5ml.

Flare1185 · Jan 31, 2012

Hmm I'm reading this article http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php and it's for Vodka dosing and it state .1ml per 25gl. I have about 100gl so .4ml and mutiply that by 8 because I'm dosing vinegar. I get 3.2ml but I'm starting out at 2ml instead do you think I should stick with 3.2ml?

MadReefer · Jan 31, 2012

I was going by this thread on RC. It shows 1ml of vinegar per 10g of water.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2096478

Edit: Search RC for many more articles.

Flare1185 · Jan 31, 2012

Hmm I just asked why such a large range from 3.2ml to 10ml. on that link you sent.

MadReefer · Jan 31, 2012

Every sight I found was 1ml vinegar per 10g water. Also vinegar is 8x the vodka but it depends on the proof. Maybe that is why. Do post the answer here.

Flare1185 · Feb 1, 2012

I got a respond that starting at 10ml, 1ml per 10gl would be fine so I will be dosing that to see if I can get rid of some these fuzzy hair algae and lower my nitrate.

MadReefer · Feb 1, 2012

It takes awhile for the HA to go away. But you should see a decrease in Nitrates quickly and your corals will start to look better.
I have been dosing Tech M, highly recommended here and other forums, also to help remove the HA.
My HA has not grown or spread, knock on wood, and starting to turn red. I may get a few blue hermits to help eat it but will think about that.