Would vinegar work as the acid in a diy alkalinity test?

[kdx7214]

I've been looking at automating alkalinity testing. Still have a lot of things to read and learn but was wondering if vinegar could be used to replace the acid in the test? It seems that would make the result that gets put back into the tank a good carbon source too.

If it would work, what kind of adjustments to the formulas would have to be made?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

No. It is not a strong enough acid. Whatever acid you use also needs to be well quantified, which normal vinegar probably is not. There’s no good choice of organic acid that you’d also add back to the tank.

 

[Garf]

I've been looking at automating alkalinity testing. Still have a lot of things to read and learn but was wondering if vinegar could be used to replace the acid in the test? It seems that would make the result that gets put back into the tank a good carbon source too.

If it would work, what kind of adjustments to the formulas would have to be made?

I fully expect Randy is right. I did find it interesting though so I used some in my salifert Alkalinity test and it changed colour after just a couple of drops. Of no use to you though, lol

 

[kdx7214]

No. It is not a strong enough acid. Whatever acid you use also needs to be well quantified, which normal vinegar probably is not. There’s no good choice of organic acid that you’d also add back to the tank.

So what is a good choice that's readily available? I know they sell things like hydrochloric and sulfuric acids, but no idea where or how much they cost.

I fully expect Randy is right. I did find it interesting though so I used some in my salifert Alkalinity test and it changed colour after just a couple of drops. Of no use to you though, lol

Thanks for testing that. It's a shame it won't work. It would have been useful

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So what is a good choice that's readily available? I know they sell things like hydrochloric and sulfuric acids, but no idea where or how much they cost.



Thanks for testing that. It's a shame it won't work. It would have been useful

I detail how to do it here, including what acid to buy:

A DIY Alkalinity Test: By Randy Holmes-Farley - REEFEDITION

Alkalinity is one of the most important measurements that a reef aquarist can make. It can become rapidly depleted in many aquaria, requiring frequent measurement in order to maintain stable levels.

www.reefedition.com

 

[kdx7214]

I detail how to do it here, including what acid to buy:

A DIY Alkalinity Test: By Randy Holmes-Farley - REEFEDITION

Alkalinity is one of the most important measurements that a reef aquarist can make. It can become rapidly depleted in many aquaria, requiring frequent measurement in order to maintain stable levels.

www.reefedition.com

Randy, you're an amazing person. Thanks for the help you've given all of us!

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

It seems that would make the result that gets put back into the tank a good carbon source too.

Don't dump test water back into the tank...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Randy, you're an amazing person. Thanks for the help you've given all of us!

lol. Thanks and you’re welcome.

 

[kdx7214]

lol. Thanks and you’re welcome.

You wouldn't happen to have a link to the articles you've written would you? I've stumbled on a few across various sites but that sort of thing could be really helpful.

 

[Reefering1]

Don't dump test water back into the tank...

Why not? Alkatronic says you can, and I did for like a year. In that case it's sulfuric acid. I understand the test water would be of low dkh but what other effects are there? Not arguing, genuinely wondering as I never liked returning the test waste, so I stopped, but never noticed any side effects(I think)

 

[Miami Reef]

Not arguing, genuinely wondering as I never liked returning the test waste, so I stopped, but never noticed any side effects(I think)

You have to mail the test waste back to Neptune Apex? You can’t dump it down the drain?

I never used an automatic tester. Just curious.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You wouldn't happen to have a link to the articles you've written would you? I've stumbled on a few across various sites but that sort of thing could be really helpful.

A sticky at the top of the chem forum has an article listing them all.

Randy's Reef Chemistry Articles

While there are many good articles out there on reef chemistry topics, here's a list of my articles. Some of them need updating, and we'll be posting revisions at R2R, but there are not many things which I think are incorrect. Handy Calculators (I don't claim to have written these, but they...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Why not? Alkatronic says you can, and I did for like a year. In that case it's sulfuric acid. I understand the test water would be of low dkh but what other effects are there? Not arguing, genuinely wondering as I never liked returning the test waste, so I stopped, but never noticed any side effects(I think)

It’s fine if the acid is pure enough.

The choice is slight alk lowering by returning it to the tank, or slight lowering of everything (salinity) by sending it to the waste drain.

Both seem easily dealt with.

 

[Reefering1]

You have to mail the test waste back to Neptune Apex? You can’t dump it down the drain?

I never used an automatic tester. Just curious.

Huh? Ohh.. lol
Was referring to returning the test water(waste) back into the tank. In an effort to not reduce salinity from dumping tank water at every test. Of course it can be dumped down the drain. Was wondering about unforseen consequences of returning it to the tank...

 

[Reefering1]

It’s fine if the acid is pure enough.

The choice is slight alk lowering by returning it to the tank, or slight lowering of everything (salinity) by sending it to the waste drain.

Both seem easily dealt with.

Is there any effect in ph, or anything else?

 

[Miami Reef]

Huh? Ohh.. lol
Was referring to returning the test water(waste) back into the tank. In an effort to not reduce salinity from dumping tank water at every test. Of course it can be dumped down the drain. Was wondering about unforseen consequences of returning it to the tank...

Oh. lol. I misunderstood.

Thanks for explaining.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Is there any effect in ph, or anything else?

There is a very small temporary pH lowering adding it back.

 

[Reefering1]

There is a very small temporary pH lowering adding it back.

Thank you sir!!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thank you sir!!

You’re welcome.

Happy Reefing!