Mixing Kalk and vinegar

[randy holmes-farley]

Gary:

I presume that you use some limewater even though you have the reactor primarily to raise the pH? If so, then the vinegar is not the solution, because it will dampen somewhat (or a lot) the pH raising effect of the limewater.

If you are using limewater because the reactor is undersized, and you need more calcium and alkalinity than your current setup using regular limewater can provide, then vinegar may help you.

So the question is, what does your tank require, if anything? If it is neither of the above, then I would not use it.

 

[andy-hipkiss]

Garry,

Overgeneralising perhaps but knowing the "normal" way that is preferred for adding Ca and alk to the aquarium (assuming that you have animals/algae that require Ca and alk) may help understand.

For a small tank then such methods as ESV's B-Ionic (not available in the UK) or C-Balance provide the easiest/cheapest method.

For larger tanks then the replacement of (up to) all evap using limewater is appropriate.

However people with many SPS (for example) and/or low evap rates, are finding that more Ca/alk is required than simple limewater alone can provide. Now the easiest solution is to spike the limewater with vinegar to increase the amount of calcium hydroxide (or oxide) that can be dissolved.

Beyond that then the normally preferred choice turns a calcium reactor. The "sensible" approach is to put off using a Ca reactor both in terms of cost and in terms of things going wrong.

HTH