calcium percipitation

[petemichelle]

i am having a problem with the calcium percipitating onto my equipment and sump area glass. i am adding 40ml of b-ionic calcium, 40ml of alk, per day to a 29 gal biocube to keep the levels stable. it is testing 420 calcium 360 mag and 10 kh. does anybody kbow how to keep the percipitation from happening or at least in check?

 

[mike007]

Sounds like you are adding alot everyday. Are you sure about your test results? I think i would back off. Hard to believe your tank is using up that much. You might take a sample to your lfs and double test your results.

 

[eliramos]

I don't believe it's calcium, Im pretty sure you're talking about salt deposits.


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[petemichelle]

Sounds like you are adding alot everyday. Are you sure about your test results? I think i would back off. Hard to believe your tank is using up that much. You might take a sample to your lfs and double test your results.

i switched from api test kits to red sea test kids to make absolutely sure, and yes, it's just eating the stuff up. if i use less then the levels drop.

 

[petemichelle]

I don't believe it's calcium, Im pretty sure you're talking about salt deposits.




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i'm pretty sure it's calcium. I have to soak the equipment in vinegar and water equal parts, to get it off. I have to scrape the stuff off the inside of the glass sump area. the buildup is all underwater. any other sure way to differentiate?

 

[NanaReefer]

Sounds like salt creep. Which is caused by splashing of some sort...surface bubbles popping is a good one
Also your mag is way low, if your correct with your reading of 360. Should be 1350+


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[o2manyfish]

Try changing where you are adding your supplements too. Sounds like it might not be going in a high enough flow area and its settling.

Dave B

 

[kgehrke]

Your magnesium is limiting your waters ability to hold calcium.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/
This is a great article on it.
-Kevin


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[petemichelle]

Sounds like salt creep. Which is caused by splashing of some sort...surface bubbles popping is a good one
Also your mag is way low, if your correct with your reading of 360. Should be 1350+


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that was a typo, you,re right it is 1360. and the buildup is beneath the water line. way beneath.

 

[petemichelle]

Try changing where you are adding your supplements too. Sounds like it might not be going in a high enough flow area and its settling.

Dave B

it is in the same chamber of the sump as the return pump. when i put in the alk I can see it turn to white and the water flow as the pump pick it up and send it into the display.

 

[petemichelle]

that was a typo, you,re right it is 1360. and the buildup is beneath the water line. way beneath.

do you guys think that bumping up the mag even higher than 1360 would help? and how much higher can or should I go?

 

[petemichelle]

i switched from api test kits to red sea test kids to make absolutely sure, and yes, it's just eating the stuff up. if i use less then the levels drop.

i dropped the dosage 0f bi-ionic from 40 to 30 for 4 days and the cal and alk just drops down cal is down to 360 , alk is down from 10 to 8, cal is down from 420 to 360. ail

 

[redfishbluefish]

Your alk , calc and mag numbers are within a reasonable range….although through the roof dosing volume for a 29 gallon tank…..unless you are packed with sps and / or a clam. However, you didn’t mention your pH. If it is high (ca 8.5 or higher), you will get carbonate precipitation. If you find high pH, instead of using B-Ionic as you alkalinity, (sodium carbonate), make up a baking soda mix of 2 ¼ cups baking soda to a gallon of RO/DI water. This is sodium bicarbonate, at the same “carbonate” concentration as B-Ionic, and will help in getting pH down.

 

[marvelousone]

bring you mag to 1440.

 

[Lazys Coral House]

bring you mag to 1440.

+ 1 if you are going to run Alk that high you need to raise your MAG. Mag keeps the Calcium and ALK ions from bonding with each other. Either reduce Alk or raise Mag.

 

[Flatbrook]

i'm pretty sure it's calcium. I have to soak the equipment in vinegar and water equal parts, to get it off. I have to scrape the stuff off the inside of the glass sump area. the buildup is all underwater. any other sure way to differentiate?

What color is the buildup you are seeing?


Reefing is like a box of chocolates, you never know whatcha gonna get!

 

[petemichelle]

Your alk , calc and mag numbers are within a reasonable range….although through the roof dosing volume for a 29 gallon tank…..unless you are packed with sps and / or a clam. However, you didn’t mention your pH. If it is high (ca 8.5 or higher), you will get carbonate precipitation. If you find high pH, instead of using B-Ionic as you alkalinity, (sodium carbonate), make up a baking soda mix of 2 ¼ cups baking soda to a gallon of RO/DI water. This is sodium bicarbonate, at the same “carbonate” concentration as B-Ionic, and will help in getting pH down.

ph is at a steady 8.3 always. has never waivered. the refugium light is on whenever the display light is off so I think that helps it stabilize. but the ph has alway been stabile as a rock

 

[petemichelle]

bring you mag to 1440.

with the mag at 1440 what level can i keep the alk and cal? and when i get these levels all up, can I then drop the b-ionic dosing down? I do not have any clams or spa or ops, only 1 green bubble tip anemone.

 

[NanaReefer]

If you have no sps/lps or a clam I really see no need for you to be dosing at all.
The snow your seeing after adding your alk is from adding it to fast. Alk needs to be added very slowly and in a high flow area.



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[petemichelle]

If you have no sps/lps or a clam I really see no need for you to be dosing at all.
The snow your seeing after adding your alk is from adding it to fast. Alk needs to be added very slowly and in a high flow area.



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i want to start with some corals but wanted to get the levels right first.