Precipitation- How can I reverse?

[MichaelReefer]

Nope. It's a middle tendency as it raises pH. Bicarbonate lowers pH a tad, and the other alternative, hydroxide, raises pH a lot.

@Randy Holmes-Farley

Was getting somewhat back to normal, upping alk ans calcium at the same amount, 5mg more a day. Took a dive again this evening.... dropped under 6 so had to make the executive decision and put 1 tsp of baking soda mixed with tank water...not really sure what to do now. I don't understand why this is happening all of a sudden. Should I stop dosing again for 2-3 days and start over?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I don't understand why this is happening all of a sudden. Should I stop dosing again for 2-3 days and start over?

Probably. Are you tracking pH?

 

[MichaelReefer]

Probably. Are you tracking pH?

Yes, has been 7.8-8. I removed my Co2 Scrubber.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes, has been 7.8-8. I removed my Co2 Scrubber.

Are you sure the dosing has continued as expected? How many dKH per day are you dosing?

 

[MichaelReefer]

Are you sure the dosing has continued as expected? How many dKH per day are you dosing?

30mg a day, over 24 hours.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I was hoping for dKH per day, rather than mass or volume, but I can find a calculator to determine it. dKH prr day is the only way to know if the dose is appropriate or not.

What volume is the aquarium?

 

[MichaelReefer]

I was hoping for dKH per day, rather than mass or volume, but I can find a calculator to determine it. dKH prr day is the only way to know if the dose is appropriate or not.

What volume is the aquarium?

I would say ballpark 110-120 gallons total with displacement. (Not counting rock and sand_

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I would say ballpark 110-120 gallons total with displacement. (Not counting rock and sand_

30 mg of dry baking soda in 110 gallons boosts alk by almost nothing. Less than 0.01 dKH per day.

IS that really what you mean?

 

[MichaelReefer]

30 mg of dry baking soda in 110 gallons boosts alk by almost nothing. Less than 0.01 dKH per day.

IS that really what you mean?

Well, I started very low and am slowly increasing dosing amount by approx 5mg a day. Should I up it more? Didn't want to risk bleaching or shocking my corals. Was 30mg yesterday, upped to 35 today.

I am dosing Soda Ash.

 

[dana.james95]

give it a day or two, to make sure that has stopped the precipitation, then I would move Ca and Alk to a reasonable target.

Speed Test​

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Well, I started very low and am slowly increasing dosing amount by approx 5mg a day. Should I up it more? Didn't want to risk bleaching or shocking my corals. Was 30mg yesterday, upped to 35 today.

I am dosing Soda Ash.

If you can switch to baking soda, I would, but regardless, alk will always stay very low at that dose.

IMO, I'd dose 0.25 dKH a day with baking soda (or washing soda/soda ash) for a few days.

use this calculator to gauge a mass:

Reef Chemistry Calculator