Heater precipitation

[bif24701]

I'm getting a lot of precipitation on my heater, how can I reduce this? Lower temp, lower pH, raise Mag, any thing else?

 

[cloak]

This link might help.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/rhf/index.php

 

[bif24701]

Sure I understand all these concepts, I've read that a few times. I would like to know what other do my heater runs more longer now that it's winter. Guess I'll have to let my ALK and Cal lower to NSW levels. What about temp? What do you keep it at during winter, I'm don't want to drop it lower than 78.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Lower wattage heater, lower pH, lower alk, higher magnesium, higher organics, higher phosphate, and flow near the heater, You may not want to do all those.

But you'll still likely get it.

Gently break it off once in a while if it is thick enough.

 

[Downbeach]

I kept my system at near NSW, with a pH @ 7.9 to 8.2, and would still get some precipitation on the heaters. I did however relocate the heaters to a location that was upstream of the compartment that I was dosing into, which improved it a bit.

 

[bif24701]

Lower wattage heater, lower pH, lower alk, higher magnesium, higher organics, higher phosphate, and flow near the heater, You may not want to do all those.

But you'll still likely get it.

Gently break it off once in a while if it is thick enough.

As long as I can maintain NSW levels I don't mind it.

 

[bif24701]

I kept my system at near NSW, with a pH @ 7.9 to 8.2, and would still get some precipitation on the heaters. I did however relocate the heaters to a location that was upstream of the compartment that I was dosing into, which improved it a bit.

It's an 800 watt heater controlled by my APEX. I have decreased the window it turns on and off, so it will cycle more, less duration. The heater is in my 100 gallon sump and it has an RW-8 for added flow. MAG is about 1450, ALK 8.8, Cal 420.

Randy, what is the lowest I should let my ALK drop with out stressing my coral? My Kalk does a good job of maintaining my corals usage but precipitation could require me to add two part.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I generally wouldn't want alk to be less than about 6.5 dKH. If pH is low, I might want alk a bit higher.

 

[bif24701]

I'm at 8.5 now, I added a second lower wattage heater. Hopefully that might help. I'll try keeping it 7.5-8 without adding anything more than the Kalk