Vinegar and Kalkwassar

[reefkeep1]

I started adding about 12 ml/gallon distilled white vinegar to my kalkwassar mix (in a 5 gal. Kent dosing container). Of course I'm getting more sediment in the bottom of the container. Is it better to keep this stirred if possible, or do I not dose the "sediment" in the bottom. Typically w/out vinegar I would not allow the sediment to enter the aquarium.

RK1

 

[jlneng]

I add 12 mL 5% white vinegar for each 1/2 teaspoon of Kalkwasser powder; CaOH. To make a gallon of Kalkwasser, I dissolve 2 teaspoons CaOH- Kalkwasser powder into 48mL 5% white vinegar and top off same with a gallon of RO/DI water. Mixing 2 teaspoons of Kalkwasser mix into 48 mL of vinegar does not produce any precipitate that I can detect once it has been combined with RO/DI water. I drip same into my sump at the inlet of my return pump. IMO 12mL vinegar is enough to dissolve 1/2 teaspoon CaOH Kalkwasser mix but no more.If you use enough vinegar you will have no sediment to worry about. IMO The vinegar fuels the reaction instead of the CO2 in the water. Hope this helps. There are some fine postings on this subject throughout the forums by others more experienced than myself.

 

[Anonymous]

The vinegar also makes some organic carbon biproducts (aka food) if I recall correctly. I've poured enough vinegar into some kalk to turn the whole thing clear as water (wasn't that much vinegar either), although I have noticed large algae outbreaks shortly after putting that into my tank (whoops )

 

[ChrisRD]

Having tried it in the past, I'm not a big fan of the kalk + vinegar thing as I've noticed the same thing sfsuphysics mentioned (ie. strange algae growths).

That said, to answer your question, I would continue to dose the kalkwasser fluid and not put the solids in your tank (as you were doing prior to using vinegar).

BTW, it's strange that you're seeing more sediment (I assume you mean more than before you tried the vinegar). My experience was the opposite.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree, you should be seeing far less sediment, not more.

Acetate is the organic created. This organic is bacterial candy IMO.