Vinegar to lower PH vs Bacterial bloom

[Ziggy17]

I read through Randy’s article on Ph. It was a very good read, thanks Randy. It suggests using vinegar to lower a high PH in the realm of 1ml per gallon to reduce PH by 0.3. My PH now swings dangerously at the high threshold before precipitation is inevitable. It starts the day at 8.3 and swings to 8.59. I’ve have a Hanna stand alone PH meter ( 3 point calibration) and an apex, both giving me the same readings, so I’m confident that’s the real number. My Alk sits at 8.3-8.5 daily using liquid sodium bicarbonate and AFR.

My questions are,

1) will dosing vinegar one time permanently lower my PH or will this require a bolus and then daily maintenance dosing?

2) will a bolus dose of 70 ml or even half that number cause a bacterial bloom?

I’ve read that carbon dosing can cause a bacterial bloom and for me, that’s just trading a small issue for a larger one. If this is covered in that article than I must have missed it.

Cheers

Ziggy.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The effect (of vinegar or soda water) is temporary, and IMO, is generally only needed in the early stages of an overdose emergency.

At pH 8.59, I would not use additives to lower it, and no lowering may be needed, but more aeration will do so unless the alk is over 14 dKH.

 

[Ziggy17]

The effect (of vinegar or soda water) is temporary, and IMO, is generally only needed in the early stages of an overdose emergency.

At pH 8.59, I would not use additives to lower it, and no lowering may be needed, but more aeration will do so unless the alk is over 14 dKH.

Copy. Thanks Randy, I think that what was needed. I had a look at my gyre on the water line and it looked as though it wasn’t moving as much water as it should. Took it apart and cleaned it up and now it’s moving a tonne more water and surface agitation is way up. PH dropped .03 in 30 minutes.

So unless it’s a coincidence, perhaps that’s a good indicator to clean my pump, when the Ph starts creeping up slowly over time, it’s time to clean the pumps.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Copy. Thanks Randy, I think that what was needed. I had a look at my gyre on the water line and it looked as though it wasn’t moving as much water as it should. Took it apart and cleaned it up and now it’s moving a tonne more water and surface agitation is way up. PH dropped .03 in 30 minutes.

So perhaps that’s a good indicator to clean my pump, when the Ph starts creeping up slowly over time, it’s time to clean the pumps.

Sounds good,

Happy Reefing!