Dosing Kalk with Vinegar

[re_vogel]

I have been dosing Kalk at the rate of 3 teaspoons per gallon with 45 mL of vinegar for several years. As the demands for my tank has increased I have generally just increased the amount of that solution that I dosed every day (I have it on a timer and doses it over several times per day)
I know that two of the 3 teaspoons of Kalk dissolves in the water itself and the 3rd teaspoon dissolves because of the vinegar.
Would I be correct in saying that if I added an additional teaspoon of Kalk and an additional 45 ML‘s of vinegar that the additional Kalk would also dissolve into the existing 1 gallon of water increasing the concentration of the solution?
Assuming the answer is yes does this reasoning breakdown at some point (eg adding three extra teaspoons and the corresponding vinegar is less effective then the original one extra with 45ml’s vinegar)?

thanks in advance

Randall

 

[Dan_P]

I have been dosing Kalk at the rate of 3 teaspoons per gallon with 45 mL of vinegar for several years. As the demands for my tank has increased I have generally just increased the amount of that solution that I dosed every day (I have it on a timer and doses it over several times per day)
I know that two of the 3 teaspoons of Kalk dissolves in the water itself and the 3rd teaspoon dissolves because of the vinegar.
Would I be correct in saying that if I added an additional teaspoon of Kalk and an additional 45 ML‘s of vinegar that the additional Kalk would also dissolve into the existing 1 gallon of water increasing the concentration of the solution?
Assuming the answer is yes does this reasoning breakdown at some point (eg adding three extra teaspoons and the corresponding vinegar is less effective then the original one extra with 45ml’s vinegar)?

thanks in advance

Randall

Easy to figure out.

The upper limit is dosing straight vinegar, no water, with enough kalkwasser to make a slightly cloudy solution (Don’t forget to measure how much you are adding). Not sure offhand how this solution would exactly impact alkalinity (increase it for sure), pH (increase), and with this upper limit you are doing significant carbon dosing.

 

[C. Eymann]

Yes but take into account the vinegar acts as a carbon source when dosed, similar to vodka, but nowhere near as potent, but you will still want to keep an eye out for your N/P levels getting too low.

 

[re_vogel]

I know that 45ml dissolves an additional 30ish percent ( on top of what is naturally dissolved in water). So would an additional teaspoon In the same solution as the original tablespoon require an additional 45ml vinegar to dissolve?

 

[Silent]

If your tank is on the smaller side it might be better to use all for reef instead of upping the vinegar and trying to oversaturate the kalk solution.

 

[re_vogel]

Silent, my tank is a 150. But regardless I don’t understand what you are saying. Would you mind reexplaining/elaborating.

thanks
Randall

 

[Silent]

If you have a high cal/alk demand all-for-reef is not a good idea as the cost is high for a large tank. All-for-reef is a single dose cal/alk supplement. Makes it easy to use. Helps to transition from kalk to 2 part dosing or for smaller tanks that need cal/alk supplementation.

 

[Joepeace510]

I have been dosing Kalk at the rate of 3 teaspoons per gallon with 45 mL of vinegar for several years. As the demands for my tank has increased I have generally just increased the amount of that solution that I dosed every day (I have it on a timer and doses it over several times per day)
I know that two of the 3 teaspoons of Kalk dissolves in the water itself and the 3rd teaspoon dissolves because of the vinegar.
Would I be correct in saying that if I added an additional teaspoon of Kalk and an additional 45 ML‘s of vinegar that the additional Kalk would also dissolve into the existing 1 gallon of water increasing the concentration of the solution?
Assuming the answer is yes does this reasoning breakdown at some point (eg adding three extra teaspoons and the corresponding vinegar is less effective then the original one extra with 45ml’s vinegar)?

thanks in advance

Randall

May I ask what your ALK usage is? I have been dosing Kalk (200ml a day) with no effect on my ALK.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I have been dosing Kalk at the rate of 3 teaspoons per gallon with 45 mL of vinegar for several years. As the demands for my tank has increased I have generally just increased the amount of that solution that I dosed every day (I have it on a timer and doses it over several times per day)
I know that two of the 3 teaspoons of Kalk dissolves in the water itself and the 3rd teaspoon dissolves because of the vinegar.
Would I be correct in saying that if I added an additional teaspoon of Kalk and an additional 45 ML‘s of vinegar that the additional Kalk would also dissolve into the existing 1 gallon of water increasing the concentration of the solution?
Assuming the answer is yes does this reasoning breakdown at some point (eg adding three extra teaspoons and the corresponding vinegar is less effective then the original one extra with 45ml’s vinegar)?

thanks in advance

Randall

The chemistry does not work exactly like that, but it will dissolve more. Maybe more than an extra teaspoon.

Trial and error is probably easier than calculating. lol

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

May I ask what your ALK usage is? I have been dosing Kalk (200ml a day) with no effect on my ALK.

Unless it is a micro tank, that is almost nothing.

Here's a calculator.

Your addition would add about 0.15 dKH in 40 gallons.

Reef Chemistry Calculator

 

[Joepeace510]

T

Unless it is a micro tank, that is almost nothing.

Here's a calculator.

Your addition would add about 0.15 dKH in 40 gallons.

Reef Chemistry Calculator

Thanks so much for the info! I’m only trying to keep ALK stable but even with 200mls a day I still get .2-.3 DKH drop.
Thanks again!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

T

Thanks so much for the info! I’m only trying to keep ALK stable but even with 200mls a day I still get .2-.3 DKH drop.
Thanks again!

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.