Question about vinegar dosing and nitrates not going down

[Bars]

I've had high (30+) nitrates and phosphates for a loooong time. About 2 months ago I had enough and setup a bottle of vinegar on my dosing unit, slowly increasing the dosage every week.

During these 2 months, my nitrates haven't budged at all. Currently I'm dosing 1.75 ml/gallon between 11 am and 8 pm.
Is this a normal amount? When is it too much? I feel like I'm just dumping vinegar in for no reason...

I do feed quite a lot, but most of it is eaten and what isn't gets caught by the filter floss (which I change/clean twice a week). Skimmer cup is emptied/cleaned twice a week as well.

 

[Dbichler]

If you are not seeing any white strings on the glass or rock you can bump it up some. That’s typically an indication your at the right amount. Carbon dosing takes time as well.

 

[Bars]

If you are not seeing any white strings on the glass or rock you can bump it up some. That’s typically an indication your at the right amount. Carbon dosing takes time as well.

No white strings. I'll increase the dosage, thanks

 

[Dan_P]

I've had high (30+) nitrates and phosphates for a loooong time. About 2 months ago I had enough and setup a bottle of vinegar on my dosing unit, slowly increasing the dosage every week.

During these 2 months, my nitrates haven't budged at all. Currently I'm dosing 1.75 ml/gallon between 11 am and 8 pm.
Is this a normal amount? When is it too much? I feel like I'm just dumping vinegar in for no reason...

I do feed quite a lot, but most of it is eaten and what isn't gets caught by the filter floss (which I change/clean twice a week). Skimmer cup is emptied/cleaned twice a week as well.

I usually see a bacterial bloom by 1 mL/gallon. Any possibility that the vinegar is weak? Is the doser working properly?

 

[Bars]

I usually see a bacterial bloom by 1 mL/gallon. Any possibility that the vinegar is weak? Is the doser working properly?

Yes, the doser is doing fine. I calibrated it again before starting the vinegar dosing. I'm using 4% acidity vinegar, is that considered weak?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes, the doser is doing fine. I calibrated it again before starting the vinegar dosing. I'm using 4% acidity vinegar, is that considered weak?

It is a little weaker than normal, which in the US is standard 5%.

 

[Dan_P]

Yes, the doser is doing fine. I calibrated it again before starting the vinegar dosing. I'm using 4% acidity vinegar, is that considered weak?

I think 5% is a typical strength but 4% should work too.