Precipitation ?
- Thread starter Btreefing
- Start date
- Tagged users None
PeterC99
Solarbenchmark.com
You can keep dosing the Kalk. You have to keep an eye on the ALK. If you keep the pH at higher levels, Alk swings are even more detrimental.
I recently had an issue with my 2 part precipitating. Are you using ESV B-Ionic 2 part?
I recently had an issue with my 2 part precipitating. Are you using ESV B-Ionic 2 part?
Btreefing
Active Member
No red sea, I ordered some brs today.
I've been trying to get my Alk up and would dose 33ml of the red sea check it 4 hours later and no change. My cal is 430 and mag is 1400 alk is constantly dropping. Dosing kalk through stirrer replacing ato. I noticed my sand getting real clumpy but never thought precipitation. I would consider my tank a low demanding tank it's the 900xl red sea which is 240 total gallons and have made 10 fist size lps and 10 frag sps and couple leathers.
Randy Holmes-Farley
Reef Chemist
Staff member
Super Moderator
Excellence Award
Expert Contributor
Article Contributor
R2R Research
My Tank Thread
Can you describe your precipitation issues?
If you want to stop or slow precipitation, this is my general advice:
If you are concerned about abiotic precipitation, then ways to stop it are:
1. Stop dosing alk for a bit and let it decline.
2. Reduce pH by switching to a low pH alk mix like sodium bicarbonate, or a calcium organic such as Tropic Marin All for Reef.
3. Ensure magnesium is normal to high.
4. Keep organics and phosphate on the high side.
After a few days of not dosing alk, restart slowly, adding additives to a very high flow area so it mixes in fast.
If you want to stop or slow precipitation, this is my general advice:
If you are concerned about abiotic precipitation, then ways to stop it are:
1. Stop dosing alk for a bit and let it decline.
2. Reduce pH by switching to a low pH alk mix like sodium bicarbonate, or a calcium organic such as Tropic Marin All for Reef.
3. Ensure magnesium is normal to high.
4. Keep organics and phosphate on the high side.
After a few days of not dosing alk, restart slowly, adding additives to a very high flow area so it mixes in fast.
Btreefing
Active Member
Was getting the build in sump where I would dose, put a powerhead in there to circulate water and thought I was good, I was struggling to keep the alk up, did a water change/sand vacuum and notice all the sand behind and around rocks was very clumpy. So
Randy Holmes-Farley
Reef Chemist
Staff member
Super Moderator
Excellence Award
Expert Contributor
Article Contributor
R2R Research
My Tank Thread
In addition to above advice, dose more spread out in time.
Btreefing
Active Member
So today is day 2 of not dosing 2 part, still dosing 5700ml of kalk and alk has now dropped to 7.3 and mag is still 1350-1400 and cam is 420. Should I still wait for everything to stabilize before dosing. I thought kalk is supposed to keep your levels up? My tank isn't very stocked.
Attachments
Randy Holmes-Farley
Reef Chemist
Staff member
Super Moderator
Excellence Award
Expert Contributor
Article Contributor
R2R Research
My Tank Thread
The high pH of kalkwasser is a big driver of precipitation. I'd stop dosing it if precipitation is a problem.
It keeps levels up if you dose enough, and not if you do not.
Btreefing
Active Member
My ph is around 8.0 at night and goes up to 8.2 during the day. That's with kalk running 24/7. Yeah I can't dose anymore or I would be putting in more then It evaporates. What would be the ideal #s you like to see with ph, cal,mag and alk. Thank you by the way for your help, really do appreciate it
