Vinegar added to ESV B-ionic

[Oceangirl]

Hello fellow reefers. Hoping someone has experience on this topic. Can vinegar be added to B-Ionic? and if so which one, Alk, Cal or both?

Thanks,
Melissa

[blanden.adam]

I wouldn't recommend it. If you add it to the alk you will react the bicarbonate/carbonate to CO2 and water, destroying it. If you add it to the calcium, you'd probably be OK as the calcium is of sufficient concentration to keep microbial growth to a minimum and no reactions can occur, but then you can't control your calcium dose apart from your organic carbon dose. Best to keep them separate IMO.

[bertoni]

You could add it to either, although it might not last long. What are you trying to accomplish? You should be able to dose carbon automatically via a dosing pump if you're willing to work on the ratios.

[blanden.adam]

Jon is correct, I did not consider that the buffered acetate would be alkalinity equivalents after metabolism in the tank. I'd still keep them separate for control's sake.