Reef contaminated with chalk

[MockTheMock]

To make a long story short my daughter put roughly a dozen pieces of broken chalk in my reef tank. Will this destroy the livestock in the tank? I'm unsure if I'll have to start from scratch or if the substances in chalk can be removed from the water. Any advice would help

 

[mnl119]

I wouldn't think that it would matter. Chalkboard chalk is simply CaCO3. It'll probably increase your alkalinity a bit, but that would be the extent of it.

Probably not a whole lot of studies done on the topic though.

 

[JGT]

People dose calcium carbonate as a flocculant. Your water may look better than ever.

 

[MockTheMock]

I wouldn't think that it would matter. Chalkboard chalk is simply CaCO3. It'll probably increase your alkalinity a bit, but that would be the extent of it.

Probably not a whole lot of studies done on the topic though.

I couldn't find any lol. Thank you

 

[Ben.QLD2]

Only problem could come from dyes. Was it white chalk?

 

[MockTheMock]

People dose calcium carbonate as a flocculant. Your water may look better than ever.

The colors from the chalk were everywhere so I went ahead and did a water change. Ill just have to see what happens

 

[MockTheMock]

Only problem could come from dyes. Was it white chalk?

No, it was colored sidewalk chalk

 

[CK00020]

There is a big thread on here, search extreme water clarity.
I dose it weekly

 

[CK00020]

That’s no good, with the colorants and all. I would probably do a large water change and run carbon.

 

[MockTheMock]

That’s no good, with the colorants and all. I would probably do a large water change and run carbon.

I did a 50% water change. I don't normally run carbon as I've really had no need to yet. I'll pick some up tomorrow and run it.

 

[JGT]

The colors from the chalk were everywhere so I went ahead and did a water change. Ill just have to see what happens

Not sure I’d be that concerned. I highly doubt that any dyes are toxic. After all, look at who’s using it and you can’t tell me there hasn’t been a multitude of kids that have given it a taste test.

 

[MockTheMock]

Not sure I’d be that concerned. I highly doubt that any dyes are toxic. After all, look at who’s using it and you can’t tell me there hasn’t been a multitude of kids that have given it a taste test.

My kids have done plenty of taste tests. They always tell me it doesn't taste good right before they go for seconds!

 

[MockTheMock]

Thank you everyone! I did a 50% water change shortly afterwards. I will pick up some carbon tomorrow and continue with consistent water changes over the next week or so and see what happens! I appreciate all the quick responses!

 

[mnl119]

Only problem could come from dyes. Was it white chalk?

I wouldn't think they'd use toxic dyes, especially around 1st graders who think chalk is a delicacy.