alk. solution making white ball on bottom of sump

[kevinsmixed90]

why does my alk. doser at times clump up in a ball on bottom of sump? I have to swish it around to mix it up but it the comes out return pump as "snow" other parameters are: cal,450 mag, 1380 ph, 8.1, alk between 8 and 9.5. doesn't do it all the time but maybe twice a week. any thoughts?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You should add it slowly to a high flow area to prevent the precipitation of magnesium hydroxide (which will redissolve) and the more slowly precipitating calcium carbonate (which will not).

 

[kevinsmixed90]

thanks, I'm thinking of running the line up to my built in surface skimmer that way it goes through the whole sump before getting to the return pump.I use the BRS dosing pump which is not adjustable for flow.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

OK, adding it to a higher flow area should help.

How fast is the dose added?

 

[kevinsmixed90]

its dripping at I drop per second but I have not placed a measuring cup under the output to be more precise on volume.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

That's plenty slow enough if the water is moving well where it is added.