Is it time to switch? kalk issues

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Jisko

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I currently have a 55g dt and a 20g sump. I run carbon and a cheato reactor with about 100lbs of live rock in total. I have an aquamaxx in sump skimmer while using a tunze ATO to dose Kalk. The tank is very heavily stocked coral wise with 2 scolys, large trachy, a goni colony, some large leathers along with 50+ frags. I'm currently mixing 3-4 teaspoons per 5g bucket of water. I don't know if it isnt mixing all the way or whats wrong but I keep getting a white film in my sump were the ATO dumps into. It's also creating a white foam in the sump. I've recently noticed a lot of coraline growing however my corals don't seem to be looking as nice as they used to. The large leather isnt opening well and my birdsnest colony began to bleach very bad over the last 2 weeks. Sadly I have yet to be able to do a water test because I'm back at college. My father has been feeding the tank and emptying the skimmer for me. I stopped at home yesterday and noticed the few problems. What do yall think could be the issue? (I know without a full water test its hard to really say but still would like some ideas so when I drive home this weekend I can spend sometime adjusting things or if need be order what I might need)
 
Sounds like your mag may be low. I'd start there. Also some vinegar in the kalk will help minimize the precipitate. Another thing that may help is a cover on your ATO container. Some of the precipitate forms from Ca interacting with CO2 and coming out of solution.

Something else to try is to make sure your pump intake is above the precipitate layer on the bottom. That should minimize clogging.

Good luck!
 
I would start with testing your water Salinity,Alk,Ca,Mg before doing anything else. If you don't have an idea of what your parameters are how else will you know what to do, or if anything you do is required or of any benefit.
 
Most especially monitor the alkalinity, since that is how to decide how much to dose, and whether you are dosing enough, not enough, too much, etc.

How fast does the ATO dump? Is there good mixing there?

Some local precipitation near where you add it is not unexpected.
 

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