IS apple cider vinegar reef safe?

[Unitylover]

my alk is a bit high, so I want to lower it. Is apple cider vinegar reef safe or not?

 

[BrandonS]

what's you water change schedule? do you have test numbers? cal, alk, mag, phosphate, nitrate?

 

[HuduVudu]

yes. tested and it was approx 15-18 ppm

Was it higher before?

 

[Unitylover]

what's you water change schedule? do you have test numbers? cal, alk, mag, phosphate, nitrate?

im getting soft corals, so no calcium. my alk is now around 10 DKH. phos is under 0.05. Nitrate about 15-18 ppm. no mag test kit

 

[Unitylover]

Was it higher before?

idk. This test kit is new, so I shouldnt know

 

[BrandonS]

what salt mix are you using and have you tested fresh mixed salt water to make sure you didn't just get a stratified batch?

I feel that there is other things at play and determining why is always better than just chasing a number without figuring out why it needs change in the first place. With that said I have not used it in my reef but apple cider vinegar is probably safe but has more stuff in it than distilled white vinegar. This would mean your adding more than just what would feed bacteria and lower ALK. If you must I would go white distilled vinegar. With that said I drink apple cider vinegar every morning and am doing fine. lol.

 

[Unitylover]

what salt mix are you using and have you tested fresh mixed salt water to make sure you didn't just get a stratified batch?

I feel that there is other things at play and determining why is always better than just chasing a number without figuring out why it needs change in the first place. With that said I have not used it in my reef but apple cider vinegar is probably safe but has more stuff in it than distilled white vinegar. This would mean your adding more than just what would feed bacteria and lower ALK. If you must I would go white distilled vinegar. With that said I drink apple cider vinegar every morning and am doing fine. lol.

i use IO. Ok, ill use distilled white m=vinegar

 

[BrandonS]

idk. This test kit is new, so I shouldnt know

what brand of test kit are you using?

 

[Unitylover]

what brand of test kit are you using?

API. just need approx numbers

 

[ikaros70]

I would not do anything, other than your normal water changes.
Alk of 10 is not too high.
Just let it come down naturally with your regular water changes.
I typically run my mixed reef tanks at 11.

 

[Unitylover]

I would not do anything, other than your normal water changes.
Alk of 10 is not too high.
Just let it come down naturally with your regular water changes.
I typically run my mixed reef tanks at 11.

ik 10 is not too high. I just want to have it lower, if you know what i mean

 

[PlumbTuckered]

I have no corals. Its around 11. I want it like 9

Leave it alone. You'll likely create more problems trying to bring it down the 2 points you want. If you MUST, then a water change will do it.

 

[Unitylover]

i just did a water change, and it dropped to 10. Im pretty sure my salt mixes to 10, so I guess Ill keep it there

 

[Miami Reef]

IO purple usually mixes around 9-10 dkh.

Please do not dose vinegar to the tank. It will cause a bacterial bloom which may harm your fish from lack of oxygen and ammonia poisoning.

If you want to keep a lower alkalinity, you can use muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate in your new water before you do a water change. If you go this route, you will need to aerate heavily for 24 hours to bring the PH back up before you add the water to the tank.

If you are only keeping softies and LPS, an alk of 10dkh is very good. They will thrive in this and alk will not be the reason you don’t succeed.

 

[Unitylover]

IO purple usually mixes around 9-10 dkh.

Please do not dose vinegar to the tank. It will cause a bacterial bloom which may harm your fish from lack of oxygen and ammonia poisoning.

If you want to keep a lower alkalinity, you can use muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate in your new water before you do a water change. If you go this route, you will need to aerate heavily for 24 hours to bring the PH back up before you add the water to the tank.

If you are only keeping softies and LPS, an alk of 10dkh is very good. They will thrive in this and alk will not be the reason you don’t succeed.

Im only planning to keep softies, maybe LPS. Can this light grow LPS?

 

[Miami Reef]

Im only planning to keep softies, maybe LPS. Can this light grow LPS?

I don’t know much about different lighting types.

Based on the reviews, I will say it appears they grow coral well.

The cons are that the bulbs don’t appear to last long and may break unexpectedly.

If you decide to go with these lights, I would recommend getting a few backups in case one decides to unexpectedly stop.

I would wait for better experienced people with lighting to answer this question though.

 

[Unitylover]

I don’t know much about different lighting types.

Based on the reviews, I will say it appears they grow coral well.

The cons are that the bulbs don’t appear to last long and may break unexpectedly.

If you decide to go with these lights, I would recommend getting a few backups in case one decides to unexpectedly stop.

I would wait for better experienced people with lighting to answer this question though.

others have said it will grow softies, but werent sure about LPS

 

[Miami Reef]

others have said it will grow softies, but werent sure about LPS

I personally think it will work judging by the reviews and comments in the Amazon link.

 

[Unitylover]

I personally think it will work judging by the reviews and comments in the Amazon link.

same

 

[Unitylover]

I also have flow covered because im also getting a powerhead

 

[Unitylover]

I also have flow covered because im also getting a powerhead

that is, of course, happening after I do more chores