Vinegar dosing

Ab129 · 01/23/2021, 07:24 AM

I have had issues with green algae in the past. At first it was green on my rocks, no hair. Vinegar dosing worked well for me but at some point I stopped and eventually the algae came back with a vengeance and was totally out of control. Thick, waving hair algae. I tried using reef rx or some other similar product with NO results. Ended up crashing my tank with my fumbling attempts to eradicate the hair algae. After I lost my fish I wrapped the tank for several weeks and that took care of the problem. After that, just in case it was some disease that wiped out my fish, I let the tank sit fallow for about 90 days as of right now.
The only things in my tank right now are a couple of corals I bought last week.
My lights are on low intensity for about 8 hours a day.
Getting ready to add some fish in about 2 weeks, after QT, and I would really like to avoid another problem with the green stuff.
I wanted to begin vinegar dosing now, preemptively, so I could have a little head start with the bacteria for when I add to the bio load.
Is this a good approach or can I screw something up by doing it this way?

Tspors58 · 01/23/2021, 08:43 AM

Do you run a UV?

Oldreeferman · 01/23/2021, 12:52 PM

The nitrates are high, really a good lvl to prevent algae issues is 5 or below and you have not even introduced fish yet & fish food.... which will raise it more.
I personally am not a fan of single vinegar dosing at all its too one sided. I use NOPOX for dosing as it contains 3 types of carbons instead of one & works great. It lowered my nitrates from 20 as you are reading atm to 5 and i could lower it more but want nutrients for my corals.
Make sure to keep a eye on ALK & PH if they drop too low algae will be next. If ALK is spot on the Mag & Cal probably are too.

D0661E750 · 01/23/2021, 03:00 PM

H2O2 dosing should work, kills parasites too

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RBU1 · 01/23/2021, 06:37 PM

I've been vinegar dosing for years. I currently dose 125ml a day in a 265 gallon system. Start slow and work up. NOPOX is just vinegar and vodka. It's also a lot more expensive then vinegar.

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monkeysee1 · 01/31/2021, 08:12 PM

Have a refugium? If not, get one going.

Cool tangs · 02/14/2021, 11:09 AM

If you have a sump try get a fuge going, add a small algae eating tang or 2 knowing you will donate/trade them out later if you can. I heard lawn mower blennies are good as well. Not a fan of dosing things that are not fully understood, algae is natural it will balance over time dont rush it.

Michael Hoaster · 02/14/2021, 12:29 PM

Having wrapped your tank and run it fallow, you are in a near new tank cycle situation. The best way to avoid algae problems, both short term and long, is to keep the lights out for the entire cycling process.

When cycling, if you have the lights on, you encourage algae-friendly bacteria to form. With the lights out, these don't grow, and only the 'good' nitrifying bacteria grow, which make it much more challenging for algae to get a foothold. Done right, the whole new tank ugly phase can be eliminated, and you're set up for long term algae resistance as well.

Ab129 · 02/14/2021, 03:42 PM

I think my biological filter survived the wrapping and fallow period.
I did not have to recycle the tank. Have had two clowns and a tang back in there for a few weeks now and everybody seems happy.

01/23/2021, 07:24 AM	#1
Ab129 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 367	Vinegar dosing I have had issues with green algae in the past. At first it was green on my rocks, no hair. Vinegar dosing worked well for me but at some point I stopped and eventually the algae came back with a vengeance and was totally out of control. Thick, waving hair algae. I tried using reef rx or some other similar product with NO results. Ended up crashing my tank with my fumbling attempts to eradicate the hair algae. After I lost my fish I wrapped the tank for several weeks and that took care of the problem. After that, just in case it was some disease that wiped out my fish, I let the tank sit fallow for about 90 days as of right now. The only things in my tank right now are a couple of corals I bought last week. My lights are on low intensity for about 8 hours a day. Getting ready to add some fish in about 2 weeks, after QT, and I would really like to avoid another problem with the green stuff. I wanted to begin vinegar dosing now, preemptively, so I could have a little head start with the bacteria for when I add to the bio load. Is this a good approach or can I screw something up by doing it this way? __________________ 75 gal, TriggerRuby30 sump, Reef Octo 150 sss skimmer and Varios 6 return pump, Icecap gyre 3k, (2) Radion xr15 4 gen, Icecap ATO, Spectrapure RO/DI NO3-0, Mag-1385, Ca-430, Alk-9.1, pH-8.1 Current Tank Info: nitrates 0 SG 1.026, pH 8.1

01/23/2021, 08:43 AM	#2
Tspors58 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Appleton, WI. Posts: 145	Do you run a UV? __________________ Keep it simple. Take it slow. Long Term Hobby. Current Tank Info: 210g w/Eshopps RS-200 sump, Reef Octopus Classic 150 SSS, Inline Ocean Clear Filter, 2 Kessel 360W, Jebao DC-8000, & 2 Jebao WP40 Wavemakers

01/23/2021, 12:52 PM	#3
Oldreeferman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: NW Indiana Valparaiso Posts: 505	The nitrates are high, really a good lvl to prevent algae issues is 5 or below and you have not even introduced fish yet & fish food.... which will raise it more. I personally am not a fan of single vinegar dosing at all its too one sided. I use NOPOX for dosing as it contains 3 types of carbons instead of one & works great. It lowered my nitrates from 20 as you are reading atm to 5 and i could lower it more but want nutrients for my corals. Make sure to keep a eye on ALK & PH if they drop too low algae will be next. If ALK is spot on the Mag & Cal probably are too. __________________ Montipora Digitas, Cyphastrea, Blastos, different Leptoseris, Green Stylo, GSP, gorgonions, Ricordea mushrooms, psammocoras, Birdsnest coral, Clownfish, Watchman goby, Royal gamma. Current Tank Info: Nano Reef tank

01/23/2021, 03:00 PM	#4
D0661E750 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 46	H2O2 dosing should work, kills parasites too Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Using Tapatalk

01/31/2021, 08:12 PM	#6
monkeysee1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: MERRIMACK NH Posts: 423	Have a refugium? If not, get one going. __________________ Your "fair share" is not in my wallet; it's in my fish tank!! Current tank info: 90 Gallon saltwater 10 fish with a few inverts; NO CORALS! Tried to go reef; didn't work out so hot; FOWLR's for me!

01/23/2021, 06:37 PM	#5
RBU1 Moving on Up Join Date: May 2004 Location: Southern NJ Posts: 5,167	I've been vinegar dosing for years. I currently dose 125ml a day in a 265 gallon system. Start slow and work up. NOPOX is just vinegar and vodka. It's also a lot more expensive then vinegar. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

02/14/2021, 11:09 AM	#7
Cool tangs Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Australia Posts: 23	If you have a sump try get a fuge going, add a small algae eating tang or 2 knowing you will donate/trade them out later if you can. I heard lawn mower blennies are good as well. Not a fan of dosing things that are not fully understood, algae is natural it will balance over time dont rush it.

02/14/2021, 12:29 PM	#8
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Having wrapped your tank and run it fallow, you are in a near new tank cycle situation. The best way to avoid algae problems, both short term and long, is to keep the lights out for the entire cycling process. When cycling, if you have the lights on, you encourage algae-friendly bacteria to form. With the lights out, these don't grow, and only the 'good' nitrifying bacteria grow, which make it much more challenging for algae to get a foothold. Done right, the whole new tank ugly phase can be eliminated, and you're set up for long term algae resistance as well. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

02/14/2021, 03:42 PM	#9
Ab129 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 367	I think my biological filter survived the wrapping and fallow period. I did not have to recycle the tank. Have had two clowns and a tang back in there for a few weeks now and everybody seems happy. __________________ 75 gal, TriggerRuby30 sump, Reef Octo 150 sss skimmer and Varios 6 return pump, Icecap gyre 3k, (2) Radion xr15 4 gen, Icecap ATO, Spectrapure RO/DI NO3-0, Mag-1385, Ca-430, Alk-9.1, pH-8.1 Current Tank Info: nitrates 0 SG 1.026, pH 8.1