Kalk/Vinegar Ratio
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Reef Chemistry
Forum Description: A place to discuss reef chemistry.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=50592
Printed Date: September 14 2025 at 2:39am
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Topic: Kalk/Vinegar Ratio
Posted By: rfoote
Subject: Kalk/Vinegar Ratio
Date Posted: August 07 2011 at 11:25pm
| Just wondering others that use Kalk/Vinegar for top off what amounts you are adding per gallon of water? Thanks! |
Replies:
Posted By: rfoote
Date Posted: August 08 2011 at 12:32pm
| bump |
Posted By: badfinger
Date Posted: August 08 2011 at 12:41pm
| I use kalk but not vinegar... what does the vinegar do? |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: August 08 2011 at 2:13pm
|
Get ahold of Asad (seti007)
He is dosing kalk and vinegar
I am not sure of the specfics, but his tank looks fantastic! ------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: August 08 2011 at 6:52pm
|
vinegar can be dosed as a liquid carbon source, much the same as vodka. Just a note here carbon dosing is not something to take lightly it has to be very closely monitored and dosing has to be done correctly and religiously or you can crash your tank.
------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Posted By: rfoote
Date Posted: August 08 2011 at 7:00pm
Thanks. I know this and have dosed off/on for a long time, Just wondering those that do as well, what amounts they are dosing? |
CapnMorgan wrote:Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: August 08 2011 at 7:07pm
|
I would recommend heading over to Reef Central and searching vinegar dosing. I remember reading a few threads over there that discussed dosages for vinegar, sugar, etc. ------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: August 08 2011 at 8:55pm
|
A I always got those measurements mixed up.  My wife does all the cooking. My thanks to Badfinger for the clarification below. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: rfoote
Date Posted: August 08 2011 at 9:46pm
| Thanks for the info. I've got good info. from Asad as well. |
Posted By: MIK3B
Date Posted: August 08 2011 at 11:28pm
|
If you wouldn't mind posting his recommendations here, (for me and posterity ) I'm also curious. I'm working on setting up a CA reactor but dose a bit of Kalk and Vinegar in the meantime and use 1 TBS per gallon but would love to know if there is a better number. Thanks! |
Posted By: badfinger
Date Posted: August 09 2011 at 7:27am
| Mike, just clarifying.... its 1 TSP per gallon, not 1 TBS..... fully saturated mix is 2 tsp per gallon |
Posted By: MIK3B
Date Posted: August 09 2011 at 7:56pm
|
Good to know - I've been using 1 TBS! Swear I read TBS somewhere, but probably mixed up the 2... Thanks for the clarification! |
Posted By: seti007
Date Posted: August 11 2011 at 2:27pm
|
Thanks for the kind words Mark. We should get together before you leave for Hawaii:) Ryan, here is great article that describes in depth, the chemistry involved in dosing vinegar and Kalk. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php - http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php I've had tremendous sucess with dosing vinegar and would recommend it to anyone. Before dosing, I used to have to take out large amounts of macro algae every few weeks but now, I haven't ahd the need to do so in months. I also don't have any nuisance algae at all. Dosing vinegar just like other sources of carbon like Vodka will result in a very nutrient deprived system as long as you have a good skimmer to pull out the bacteria bloom. My Acros are doing really well and have great polyp extension and color. The softies and LPS are doing ok but not as well as the SPS. The dosages he recommends are as follows. Like everything else, start slow and up the dosage as you go along. "three level teaspoons of solid lime per gallon of limewater, and 45 ml of vinegar per gallon of limewater. " ------------- Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic--Arthur C. Clarke 
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Posted By: MIK3B
Date Posted: August 11 2011 at 8:17pm
So if I'm reading and converting correctly 45ml = 3.04 TBS, so it's 1TBS of Kalk and 3TBS of Vinegar to achieve a fully saturated carbon/limewater mix based on my calculations. I really prefer the metric system, it's so linear without the need for conversions, stupid Imperial system and its fractions and unique measurements! 3 teaspoons per Tablespoon right? It is my 3rd straight 14hr work day in a row, but I'm not crazy after all! In fact it sounds like I could stand to up my vinegar dose, once I ramp up to it regularly... |