Advice for Mishap

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Ken Good

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I am 2 and 1/2 to 3 weeks into cycling a new tank. I have been out of town at a conference the last three days. My dosing pumps are set up and I was testing them while I was out of town. It appears that for element 2, I somehow switched control from dosing schedule to switch control accidentally and the default switch it changed to was one that was "always on." The pump proceeded to empty a complete container of element 2 into the tank (1000 ml).

I got a notice that the container was empty the next morning. I investigated the issue and determined what happened. I immediately started doing AWC a gallon at a time. This is a 100 gallon tank and 20 gallon refugium. I have included a picture of my sensors.

Ammonia is close to the end of the cycle and nitrites are going strong. Assuming that Triton Element 2 is mostly calcium, am I okay to continue with small water changes over time and then send in my water sample for a test before I add fish or do I need to drain and start over?

Thanks in advance.


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Why are you dosing in a tank that is cycling ? Nothing is using calcium.

Test ca level and report back but there should be no issue to cycling.
 
I would do a 100% water change making sure to vacuum the sand really well and blow the rocks off. Also suck up any precipitate in the sump.

Give it a day then test Ca with a home kit, it’ll either be good or off the charts. If off the charts, repeat.

Ca precipitate in the sand and on the rocks is what is going to be the challenge.
 
If you don't have anything in the tank, I would imagine that it isn't going to do much harm. Just go your standard water changes weekly and test as you normally would. It may just delay your cycle a bit. But I'm no expert. Good luck!
 
Update, I tested the water for calcium and it was at 550. I did a 1/3 water change. The next day I did a 50% water change. I also tried to clean the sand.

Thank you for the advice.
 

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