Vinegar/Kalk

Drew75 · Nov 7, 2019

Hello Everyone,

I may have needed to post this under tank ER due to my current issue but I know now to panic and react or it will make matters worse. My current NO is at 100 ppm and PO is at .5 ppm (salifert). I currently dose kalk from 1 gal. container mixed with vinegar 20 ml. 2 weeks ago, had power outage for a day due fire and it dumped the entire gallon of dose(aqualifter/timer-1 minute at 6am,6pm,noon, midnight) when power went back on. Prior to that I was averaging 8.4 Alk, 435 Cal, 1.024 Salinity, 1320 Mag. Currently at 9.1 Alk, 450 for Cal. I am starting to see a couple of monti's brown otherwise the rest are still alive. My questions are below in addition to doing a water change today, hoping for some guidance and very open to suggestions? The dosing method is temporary, I just purchased a doser and all for reef all in one, once the kalk is out I will switch.

-LFS suggested running phospate reactor, is it ok to run this and still have chaeto plus the vinegar mix?
-I also have NOPOX at home-should I use?
-Is the browning lighting related?
-Also I have tried to grow Chaeto twice in the sump but was not succesful, I dropped another set of chaeto a few days ago for third time?
-My sandsifting goby continues to circulate 1 inch thick sand all day is this contributing to the nutrient rise?

Thank you all for your patience

JCSaltwaterFishandCoral · Nov 7, 2019

I would continue dosing Kalk it will help bring Phosphates down. Check your Ph

Halal Hotdog · Nov 7, 2019

-"LFS suggested running phospate reactor, is it ok to run this and still have chaeto plus the vinegar mix?"

There should be no issue

-"I also have NOPOX at home-should I use?"

NOPOX is a carbon source, just like vinegar. I would use either vinegar or NOPOX, not both.

-"Is the browning lighting related?"

High nitrates can absolutely cause corals to brown. I have noticed my montis also change color if my magnesium changes dramatically.

-"Also I have tried to grow Chaeto twice in the sump but was not succesful, I dropped another set of chaeto a few days ago for third time?"

Macro algae needs appropriate light, flow, and nutrients. Also one macro algae can release inhibitors that cause other macro algaes from growing. Can you give us details about the environment the macro algae is being kept in.

-"My sandsifting goby continues to circulate 1 inch thick sand all day is this contributing to the nutrient rise?"

If you are not regularly cleaning the sand then yes it can absolutely cause an increase in nutrients.

BeejReef · Nov 8, 2019

I wouldn't do anything drastic.
As far as alk and calcium spikes from an auto top off go, that was pretty mild. The corals might be a little ticked, but you wouldn't expect to see huge die off from a .5dkh swing.

The nitrates and phosphates are really high (you know that.. lol), but dropping them like a stone may well do more damage than good. The recommended dose of vinegar to kalk is 45 milliliters per gallon of RODI.

Question is how did your nitrate and phosphate get so high? Was it a quick rise, or a gradual one?
It's over my head, but I really believe there is some hidden correlation between not being able to grow macro-algae and a problematic reef. So many people post that tank struggling, chaeto won't grow. Is it a coincidence?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 8, 2019

If the chaeto continues to not grow, and assuming it is lit reasonably, I might add an iron and possibly manganese additive. Once growing it will be a nice addition tot eh system.

Drew75 · Nov 8, 2019

Thank you all for your support, so far I got the GFO reactor running and just test and water change and mainly patience. I’ll will post an update in a week or two for learning purpose. I admit it’s been frustrating but seeing your responses really help.