Vingear Dosing - Residue in Dosing container??

AB_reefer · 08/29/2016, 08:49 PM

Hey guys,

Iv been dosing Vinegar (clear distilled 5%) for about 3 months or so now to fight my high nitrate problem.. Initially I started dosing manually however last month got a Dosing pump and hooked up the vinegar bottle to one of the pumps.

While topping off the Vinegar last week I noticed a clear white film like residue at the bottom on the container.. It looks something similar to the bacteria that forms on the tank glass while dosing, but cant be sure..

Any idea what it could be and will it have any ill effect on the dosing process?

My parameters are as follows:
Alk- 7-7.2 (trying to slowly bring it up)
Cal- 450 ppm
Mag - 1230
Nitrate: 25 ppm
SG- 1.025
Temp - 77-79

Appreciate your inputs !!
thanks..

bertoni · 08/29/2016, 10:26 PM

If the vinegar sits long enough, bacteria might be able to grow to some extent, or it might be some sort of precipitate. Personally, I would ignore it, but you could rinse it out now and then.

AB_reefer · 08/31/2016, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertoni

If the vinegar sits long enough, bacteria might be able to grow to some extent, or it might be some sort of precipitate. Personally, I would ignore it, but you could rinse it out now and then.

Its a 2 liter container so probably its sitting for a long time i guess.. Thanks for the feedback , will try to switch to smaller volume and top up more frequently and see if it comes back..

tmz · 08/31/2016, 07:37 AM

I'd put a lid on the container and dose through a piece of semi rigid airline poked through it. The 5% acetic acid vinegar is not diluted further: correct?

Just poking a hole for a reasonably tight fit in the top of the cap on a gallon container of white vinegar works well.

AB_reefer · 08/31/2016, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmz

I'd put a lid on the container and dose through a piece of semi rigid airline poked through it. The 5% acetic acid vinegar is not diluted further: correct?

Just poking a hole for a reasonably tight fit in the top of the cap on a gallon container of white vinegar works well.

that's correct.. its 5% distilled white vinegar not diluted any further..
the container had a small cap on top which i removed and put in the airline tubing so there is a some room for air exchange as well..
Using a smaller 500 ml bottle now.. so far so good.. will keep an eye on it..

08/29/2016, 08:49 PM	#1
AB_reefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Hanoi Posts: 14	Vingear Dosing - Residue in Dosing container?? Hey guys, Iv been dosing Vinegar (clear distilled 5%) for about 3 months or so now to fight my high nitrate problem.. Initially I started dosing manually however last month got a Dosing pump and hooked up the vinegar bottle to one of the pumps. While topping off the Vinegar last week I noticed a clear white film like residue at the bottom on the container.. It looks something similar to the bacteria that forms on the tank glass while dosing, but cant be sure.. Any idea what it could be and will it have any ill effect on the dosing process? My parameters are as follows: Alk- 7-7.2 (trying to slowly bring it up) Cal- 450 ppm Mag - 1230 Nitrate: 25 ppm SG- 1.025 Temp - 77-79 Appreciate your inputs !! thanks..

08/29/2016, 10:26 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	If the vinegar sits long enough, bacteria might be able to grow to some extent, or it might be some sort of precipitate. Personally, I would ignore it, but you could rinse it out now and then. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

08/31/2016, 07:37 AM	#4
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	I'd put a lid on the container and dose through a piece of semi rigid airline poked through it. The 5% acetic acid vinegar is not diluted further: correct? Just poking a hole for a reasonably tight fit in the top of the cap on a gallon container of white vinegar works well. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.