How much vinegar

[EmilyB]

I thought I should post this in the chemistry forum, but couldn't seem to.

Anyway, I did a large water change and my alk went sky high. I'll have to check into the cause, but wanted to lower my alk slowly in the meantime.

How much vinegar do you add per gallon at a time ?

[andestang]

Deb, back when I had that major tank problem, which I could only link to the high Alk I dosed vinegar at 1 mL of distilled white vinegar per gallon of total tank water. I dosed in my sump over about half a day.

[Ruth]

Hey Deb I have never tried the vinegar thing but have heard of it working. Any idea why your alk went so high? Was the salt mix that high?

[andestang]

It worked good for me. I also added some extra aeration, which also helped. If I remember correctly in one day my PH dropped .4 units.

[EmilyB]

Okay, I'll start bringing her down more today.

Ruth, I'm not sure. I did a chemi-clean treatment, then when I did a 25% water change, the next day it looked like I had precipitate in the tank. Everything but the Alk appeared normal. I'm on the same bucket of salt for a month, so I doubt it's that.