Vinegar dosing on a new setup

[tmc1313]

Hi guys, I have recently set up a 144 half circle tank that will 90% SPS. The system is brand new. I am currently using the BRS dual reactor with GFO and GAC. I was thinking about dosing vinegar also. The tank is new and everything is at zero right now ie...phosphates and nitrates. I want to get into the habit early of dosing vinegar as a preventative. Can I run the GFO while dosing the vinegar and if so, what's a good starting point as far as ml's per gallon? The total volume with sump is about 144 (figuring displacement of water with rock added). Here is a pic of the new setup:
http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/7697/dscf0663q.jpg
By tmc13 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/tmc13) at 2011-06-02

[mrsmithers]

Take a look at this, it should help out alot.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php

[tmc1313]

Thanks, but that information is for vodka dosing, not vinegar. I do know that the ratio is 8:1 when using vinegar over vodka.

[bobbychullo]

its the same concept, just adjust the dose exactly like you said. that is the first article to read regarding anything carbon dosing (vodka, vinegar and/or sugar).

[tmc1313]

So, I'll guess I'll start dosing 4.8ml's per day (based on 150 gallons) and monitor things as they go. I will continue with the GFO, but I'm not sure it will render the vinegar useless.

[sahin]

Continue with both vinegar and GFO. I have found that generally any carbon dosing is great at reducing nitrates, but not so good at reducing phosphates. Even though in ppm the nitrates are so much greater compared to phosphates it seems like the ratio of reduction of nitrates is something like at least 1 order of magnitude greater.

I run a carbon dosed system and GFO as well. You will see that most people who use some form of biopellet style carbon dosing usually end up utilising GFO as well.

Assuming you have no livestock in the tank I would do heavy carbon and GFO utilisation for a few weeks to reduce and keep phosphates and nitrates and reach a low nutrient level. Dont run any lights or if you must, then limit it to an hour per day. If you have at least 4 weeks of no nitrates and phosphates then at that point do a few large water changes and then you can start to add a fish or two slowly.

I wish I had done this from the outset for my tank.

Good luck. Take things real slow, you will be happier in six months time.