Vinegar dosing

Shep · Jan 5, 2015

I have high nitrates and was thinking of trying Vinegar dosing but was wondering if someone here could point me in the direction of a how to guide. Also if there are pro/cons could you list some of them? I just want to know everything before I start dosing.

Thanks

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 5, 2015

Here's an article I helped write:

Reefkeeping Magazine - Vinegar Dosing Methodology for the Marine Aquarium

The only thing that I'd change is the dosing schedule in the chart, which is a little odd in how it scales up to larger tanks.

Shep · Jan 5, 2015

Thank you, my tank is only 30g so would the scale up be ok still?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 5, 2015

I'd suggest following the 25 gallon chart for a few weeks, but don't go over 30 mL per day without careful thought.

Shep · Jan 5, 2015

Ok, thank you for the info!

Rjramos · Jan 5, 2015

Randy, I just started dosing vodka on my 120gal. 3 days ago. I have both high nitrates between 25&50 and phosphate around 3. Does the vodka help the high phosphate more so than the vinegar or the same? Why do you use the vinegar instead?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 5, 2015

As best I can tell, the relative effect on nitrate/phosphate consumption is the same with vinegar and vodka.

I think the relative effect has more to do with where it gets consumed (inside live rock or sand vs on oxygenated surfaces or in the bulk water column) than the nature of the organic itself.

i use vinegar for two reasons:

1. It seemed to cause less cyano in my tank when I first started messing with organics.
2. It is used by a very wide range of organisms (not just bacteria) so may have less chance for accumulation than vodka) and may even be beneficial for higher organisms which take it up (corals, sponges, etc). In some sense, it might be considered a bit more "natural" than ethanol from vodka as acetate makes up a bigger portion of the natural cycling of organics in the ocean.

Rjramos · Jan 5, 2015

Thanks. I should have considered cyano cause I have some in my refugium competing against chaeto right now, controllable though. I'll see if the cyano starts to proliferate. If it does can I switch to vinegar ?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 5, 2015

Yes, that seems a fine plan, but if the particular cyano species you have uses acetate, it could make it worse.

Robthorn · Jan 5, 2015

Good article Randy and thanks. Is Glacial acetate something found at grocery stores? I see it says food grade but I have never looked for it. It seems like a better option for storage and trips to the store.

I use Biofuel and Zeostart in a doser except I only dose a couple ml's a day in my 250g. I am happy with the results but not the price. Is there a way to keep the acetate in dosing containers without them becoming contaminated for an extended period of time. say 3 months or so?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 6, 2015

No, only a chemical supply company will have glacial (100%) acetic acid. Vinegar is 5% acetic acid.

Vinegar is stable due to the low pH, but diluted vinegar is susceptible to bacteria degradation and growth.

Rjramos · Jan 12, 2015

Help needed Randy Holmes Farley. So after 10 days of vodka dosing nitrates and phosphates have gone down only slightly. I do understand that it takes longer to get results, but cyano in my Refugium has gotten a lot worse! To the point, that my chaeto's growth has been inhibited. Tank inhabitants doing alright, water does seem clearer. So now what? Should I start dosing vinegar instead? I normally change out 32 gal/month out of total volume calculation of about 110 gal. Should I do more frequent or larger water changes? Appreciate your professional help.Here are pictures of my refugium.

Before.

ImageUploadedByREEF2REEF1421076113.900778.jpg

Now.

ImageUploadedByREEF2REEF1421076180.927483.jpg

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 12, 2015

I'd stop the vodka if cyano has gotten a lot worse. Cyanobacteria can consume the organics we are adding.

Maybe transition to vinegar, which is what I did when I got cyano from vodka. Or look to other methods of nutrient reduction entirely.