I started dosing my tank with Cal and Alk about three weeks ago. A film has developed on the glass. It's not corraline. It is hard to get off the glass with the magnet float. Any suggestions for daily maintenance purposes?
Calcium Film
- Thread starter Tigerman
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I think that may be the case. My magnesium was a little low at 1200. I am starting dosing that tomorrow. Do you think that will clear up the film? The article is a little overwhelming? My temperature is around 81. Is that a little high as well?
If it is indeed precipitate, once your alkalinity, calcium and magnesium are in balance it should go away. (stop building up)
Your temperature is ok.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm
Your temperature is ok.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm
Randy Holmes-Farley
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It is hard to see in the picture. Is it pure white (calcium carbonate) or yellowish brown (diatoms)?
Where do you dose this tank and how much at once?
Where do you dose this tank and how much at once?
It is pure white and hard. It is not diatoms. I dose 37 ML of CA then wait an hour then dose 37 ML of AK. I do this five days a week because it is set up in my office. It is a 5 gallon tank with a 1 gallon sump. I just pour it out of the cup in front of the return water from the sump. Will dosing magnesium help?
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Wow, 5 gallons! That's way too much dosing. You are adding 10 dKH instantly!
What is the alkalinity?
What is the alkalinity?
I'm not at work. I'll have to test alk in the am. I used the dose calculator on bulk reef supply. What would you recommend? Also, even with all the dosing I'm having trouble getting calcium above 400.
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I'd stop all dosing for now, and wait till the alk drops below 8 dKH before dosing any more.
In a 5 gallon tank like yours, I'd think that adding 1 dKH of alkalinity per day (3.5 mL of the DIY#1, which is what BRS sells) is a fine dose of both parts to start.
In a 5 gallon tank like yours, I'd think that adding 1 dKH of alkalinity per day (3.5 mL of the DIY#1, which is what BRS sells) is a fine dose of both parts to start.
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Rising the magnesium is also a good plan, but it wasn't the primary cause of your issues.
That might be accomplished just by raising the salinity. What is it now?
That might be accomplished just by raising the salinity. What is it now?
The salinity is around 1.026. Also, does "In a 5 gallon tank like yours, I'd think that adding 1 dKH of alkalinity per day (3.5 mL of the DIY#1, which is what BRS sells) is a fine dose of both parts to start." this just mean using the two part does I'm already using but go down to 3.5ml of each? Lastly, how much magnesium should I does and how often? What should I want my magnesium to ultimately measure?
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Yes, that is what it means, and the actual demand is very low for magnesium. It may have dropped from all the precipitation.
What salt mix are you using?
What salt mix are you using?
HW-Marinemix Reefer Salt Mix. Thanks so much for your help. Any recommendations would be very much appreciated. I'm just hanging tight until you recommend something that may help.
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I'd aim for about 1300 ppm magnesium. This calculator shows how much to use of various supplements:
http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chem_calc3.html
http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chem_calc3.html
