Dosing Vinegar

[TexasTodd]

Thanks Randy. That helps a bunch. I understand about each system being unique.
Todd

 

[Roberto CRC]

I agree but its a good reference to start if you never dosed this stuff before. Personally I don't dose vinegar I prefer vodka.

The Vodka and vinager act on the same parameters (NO3 and PO4) or one for each element is separate?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks Randy. That helps a bunch. I understand about each system being unique.
Todd

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing. :)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The Vodka and vinager act on the same parameters (NO3 and PO4) or one for each element is separate?

They both act as the energy source for bacteria to grow, and growing bacteria consume nitrate and phosphate to make their tissues. So they do the same thing, but may be used by different organisms.

 

[FranklinDattein]

Just to corroborate what Randy said, I've also been dosing Vinegar for years, at higher dosages than the chart. In addition, I also raise it a lot faster than the chart.
Currently, it is at 100ml/day for a 180l (50g) tank. Also, in the few occasions I had to restart the tank, I went straight to high doses like 50-60ml/day.

Chaeto never thrived on my ULNS and I switched to phosguard to handle PO4, which is rarely needed.

@marvelousone, I have recently started doing what you are aiming. Vinegar dosing, no zeolites and zeovit range of coral foods (HCAA, coral vitaliser and pohls extra). However, it is too early to comment on results.

 

[marvelousone]

let me know how it is going.

 

[Osama]

Following as am getting myself all confused on how to best get my system back in equilibrium. I have a very good looking DT but high PO4 and hairline algae and have been switching between trying this and that...

 

[Congaken]

FWIW, I've never entirely understood that chart since it makes no sense that the dose for a 1000 gallon tank at week 16 is ony twice that of a 25 gallon tank (and yes, it is from my article (link below), but it was added after I last reviewed it :D ).

I also dose more than these and think you can ramp up faster.

IMO dosing amounts depend on the tank and the goals of dosing.

http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index...ar-dosing-methodology-for-the-marine-aquarium

 

[Congaken]

Randy, took a look at the above article and realized that I wasn't doing things correctly at all...was an anthro. major, failed chem...anyhow, I have my 10 gal reef, some algae and cyno problems plus lame softy and lps growth...been using NO3-PO4-X but didn't realize that you had to keep increasing it...been at about 1 ml for a 3 weeks...will halving the schedule for 25 gal. help me?...please get me straight on using this stuff...I could switch to vodka or vinegar, but I already have the NO-POX...Thanks so much...Ken P.S. the above post is not mine!

Oh yeah...and my PO4 is .25, and NO3 is less than 5.0...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Well, different people have different approaches, and I think that Red Sea just recommends a specific dose per gallon based on nutrient conditions, not the rising dose many people use. Both can work OK. :)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

P.S. the above post is not mine!.

It looks like a quote reply with no new text added. Sometimes that can happen by mistake, but as long as you do not think someone has hacked your log in account, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Randy, took a look at the above article and realized that I wasn't doing things correctly at all...was an anthro. major, failed chem...anyhow, I have my 10 gal reef, some algae and cyno problems plus lame softy and lps growth...been using NO3-PO4-X but didn't realize that you had to keep increasing it...been at about 1 ml for a 3 weeks...will halving the schedule for 25 gal. help me?...please get me straight on using this stuff...I could switch to vodka or vinegar, but I already have the NO-POX...Thanks so much...Ken P.S. the above post is not mine!

Oh yeah...and my PO4 is .25, and NO3 is less than 5.0...

I'd stick with the NOPOx for now, but I'm not sure what the concern is at the moment.

How low did you think nitrate is? As low as you want it? If yes, I'd reduce the dose.

 

[s2nhle]

wow, good to know. tagging along.

 

[Congaken]

Randy...despite the #'s, I'm still getting more algae than I would want...I try to feed lightly and change water once or twice a week...so you don't think that I should increase the NOPOX?...that's was my hope...but you tell me...Thanks...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You may be able to beat the algae with organic carbon dosing, so if that is the issue, then yes, it is worth a try to increase the dose. :)

 

[Congaken]

Randy is way way smarter than me when it comes to this stuff so take my 2 cents for what its worth. If you don't have experience with carbon dosing use the chart. Reason is sure it will take you a lot longer to get where you want to be but you will also have almost no chance of overdosing the tank. You could go faster but till you get your feet wet and know what you are looking for it never hurts to go slow.

Keep in mind I dose vodka and follow a similar chart and its never done me wrong. With that said I would assume this chart is very similar but with vinegar. However Randy is the vinegar dosing guru so I would listen to him before any chart even though I stole it from his writings lol.

 

[Congaken]

Randy...just to be perfectly clear...I am following the chart considering that I have only 10 gal...when it says week so-and-so, does that mean every day of the week or only once -a-week?...I assume daily, but there's a lot of stuff that I assume wrong...Thanks...

 

[bobman]

Randy...just to be perfectly clear...I am following the chart considering that I have only 10 gal...when it says week so-and-so, does that mean every day of the week or only once -a-week?...I assume daily, but there's a lot of stuff that I assume wrong...Thanks...

You are correct that is a daily dose.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Right. Daily dose. :)

 

[marvelousone]

Randy I am dosing vinegar 5ml a day for 50gals. I have a little hair algae on some frag plugs. Should I go up on dosing. I am was thinking 7ml a day.