Red Sea Alkalinity liquid

[jp_75]

I just switched from Salifert to Red Sea alkalinity buffer - liquid version. Basically i noticed when i put in my tank it made water very cloudy and could see small white pieces floating around. Is it normal?

 

[EmdeReef]

Sounds normal. How fast does it clear up?

 

[jp_75]

It clears in few minutes. Thx!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It is temporary precipitation of magnesium hydroxide that happens with all high pH additives. [emoji3]

 

[jp_75]

if so why i never had that with Seachem(Aquavitro) buffer? tried to give it good shake but it does same thing...doesn't dissolve that fast...

 

[ckalupa]

Likely due to different concentrations between the Red Sea and the other alkalinity additives. I also use the Red Sea products and get slight precipitation if I am hand dosing. But as others have said the precipitation dissolves pretty quickly. I have no issue now that I am using a DOS to add it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

if so why i never had that with Seachem(Aquavitro) buffer? tried to give it good shake but it does same thing...doesn't dissolve that fast...

A lower pH alk additive won't do it. Baking soda won't do it. Has to be a high pH additive to provide the hydroxide for the precipitation.