Should I vinegar dose?

d_adler · Sep 18, 2015

So currently I run a 55 gal with a 16 gal sump mixed reef. Minus all the rock I would
Say that I have about 35-40 gals of total water. For filtration as of now I have a protein skimmer, filter floss I change bi- weekly and a reactor running carbon. I have been having issues with with GHA and a slight amount of cyano. I was considering starting to dose vinegar to try and combat the GHA and bring my nutrients down. My phosphate reads 0 but I know it's just because the GHA consumption.

My concern is that the cyano will take off if I dose the vinegar. I had a bad experience in the past with bio pellets that made my tank get overrun with cyano.

If I do start dosing how much should I dose daily?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 18, 2015

Cyano is a potential concern with organic carbon dosing.

I think it or vodka is a fine thing to try, and if it seems to make the cyano worse, I'd probably switch to (or add) a phosphate binder.

d_adler · Sep 18, 2015

Would you recommend running phosguard before attempting the carbon dosing to try and rid some of the cyano?

As well as when I do start the dose, does dosing beneficial bacteria worth doing?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 18, 2015

Using a binder like Phosguard or GFO may be worth a try first. There are many ways to be successful exporting nutrients and it is not always clear which is the single best.

I use all of growing macroalgae, large rock filled refugia, dosing vinegar, GFO, skimming, and activated carbon (GAC).

I don't normally think dosing bacteria is necessary (I do not), but with an existing cyano issue, it may be especially useful. Something like MB7.

d_adler · Sep 20, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Using a binder like Phosguard or GFO may be worth a try first. There are many ways to be successful exporting nutrients and it is not always clear which is the single best.

I use all of growing macroalgae, large rock filled refugia, dosing vinegar, GFO, skimming, and activated carbon (GAC).

I don't normally think dosing bacteria is necessary (I do not), but with an existing cyano issue, it may be especially useful. Something like MB7.

So the cyano has gotten slightly worse. I've added phosguard in a reactor. Should I start broadcast feeding the corals to help with the stripping of the water from the phosguard or just let it ride. It's bed such a roller coaster with this tank. I posted to you about a month ago on how I was having alk swings as well and I'm still battling that issue.

thormx · Sep 21, 2015

You might have to do a few or more 3 day lights out sessions after you start dosing carbon. This is how I beat dinos, I use vodka

helldiver · Sep 21, 2015

I would try hydrogen peroxide and turn lights out but suck out as much Cyrano as you keep first and up your flow like previously stated run gfo and carbon
I Do dose daily 20 ml of vinegar just as a precaution with no negative effects run gfo and carbon and skimmer

Kungpaoshizi · Sep 21, 2015

Google, "where science meets the hobby" on RC.
From the experiences I've seen, I would have to agree. (don't let nitrate bottom out, if po4 is pretty high check out lanathum chloride)

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 21, 2015

d_adler said:
So the cyano has gotten slightly worse. I've added phosguard in a reactor. Should I start broadcast feeding the corals to help with the stripping of the water from the phosguard or just let it ride. It's bed such a roller coaster with this tank. I posted to you about a month ago on how I was having alk swings as well and I'm still battling that issue.

Depends on how low you intend to drive phosphate. Broadcast feeding will result in a lot more nutrients being added. I'd probably wait on that, and if corals look pale, the feed more or back off on the binder.