KH issue???

[ehays1973]

When I add kH to my tank it looks like it’s snowing for about 5 minutes then it clears up gradually. I’m using Red Sea. Just wondering if this is normal? Doesn’t seem to affect anything and the fish think it’s good and try to eat it. Posting a pic also.

 

[Crabs McJones]

When I add kH to my tank it looks like it’s snowing for about 5 minutes then it clears up gradually. I’m using Red Sea. Just wondering if this is normal? Doesn’t seem to affect anything and the fish think it’s good and try to eat it. Posting a pic also.

What you're seeing is precipitation. Are you dosing it in a high flow area? Or very shortly after adding in calcium or any other dosing suppliments?

 

[ehays1973]

I pour it on the back side where my power head is. My test kit said 7 so I had to add 100 ml

 

[Crabs McJones]

I pour it on the back side where my power head is. My test kit said 7 so I had to add 100 ml

On what size tank and you were going from 7 dkh to what? Precipitation is normal, especially for adding 100ml

 

[ehays1973]

55 gallon tank. I just add what the bottle says. Still trying to figure out dosing. My octospawn looks like it’s been melted though. I don’t think it liked it

 

[ehays1973]

On what size tank and you were going from 7 dkh to what? Precipitation is normal, especially for adding 100ml

I added 50 at a time in my 55 gallon. Started from the first touch of water. My octospawn looks fried don’t think it liked it much. Everything else looks great

 

[Crabs McJones]

I added 50 at a time in my 55 gallon. Started from the first touch of water. My octospawn looks fried don’t think it liked it much. Everything else looks great

What were you trying to bump it up to though? From 7dkh to what? 100ml on a 55 should put you upwards of 9.6 to 9.8 which is to big of a swing

 

[ehays1973]

What were you trying to bump it up to though? From 7dkh to what? 100ml on a 55 should put you upwards of 9.6 to 9.8 which is to big of a swing

Oh ok I know it’s supposed to be 8 to 10 so I was trying to get in between there. Should I have added half tonight and half tomorrow?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Oh ok I know it’s supposed to be 8 to 10 so I was trying to get in between there. Should I have added half tonight and half tomorrow?

Major alk swings can cause issues. I'd let things calm down for a bit. You should be right around 10. So wait 24 hours, test, and dose accordingly to keep your level where you want it

 

[ehays1973]

Major alk swings can cause issues. I'd let things calm down for a bit. You should be right around 10. So wait 24 hours, test, and dose accordingly to keep your level where you want it

Awesome thanks for the help. Calcium was 300 also. Added some after the KH. Gonna check back tomorrow to see where it’s at.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Awesome thanks for the help. Calcium was 300 also. Added some after the KH. Gonna check back tomorrow to see where it’s at.

Yup you'll want to up that as your tank will consume calcium and alkalinity together at relatively close rates. Not sure the system you're using but most have you dose alk and calcium in equal amounts

 

[Reefahholic]

Spread out the dose. Don’t raise your Alk too much in one day.

 

[Crimsonphoenix]

I read you shouldn’t change alk by more than 1 dkh per day.

 

[Dennis McGrath]

I would try to do it even slower than 1 dkh per day. more like .3 to .5

 

[Crimsonphoenix]

.3 to .5 would be better. I am doing that on my tank now.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Just FYI, it is 100% normal for any high pH additive to cause a temporary precipitation of magnesium hydroxide that will redissolve as it mixes in. The more you add the more forms.

IF you add too much, you may also begin to get precipitation of calcium carbonate, which won't redissolve and is wasting additives.

Add less at a time and to a higher flow area will reduce the chances of calcium carbonate precipitation, as would switching to a lower pH alk additive.

I'm not sure which you are getting.