Too much kalkwasser?

[Reefer5640]

So I’ve got these formations in the bottom of my sump where the ATO is tied in. On this tank I use kalkwasser in my ATO. These are clearly from the kalkwasser, my question is; am I using too much, and anything left over is just turning into these solid chunks?

Another part to this is; are they beneficial to leave in the sump or are they absorbing the kalkwasser as it’s dosed and preventing it from doing its job?

 

[Duane Clark]

how much per gallon are you putting in? It's my understanding the most that will dissolve is 2 tsp per gallon. These chucks are useless and should be removed.

 

[Reefer5640]

I’m staying under 2 tspn’s per gallon. In fact I’m closer to half that. Thanks for the reply. I’ll cut back on the kalkwasser and see if they stop building up.

 

[LEOreefer]

So I’ve got these formations in the bottom of my sump where the ATO is tied in. On this tank I use kalkwasser in my ATO. These are clearly from the kalkwasser, my question is; am I using too much, and anything left over is just turning into these solid chunks?

Another part to this is; are they beneficial to leave in the sump or are they absorbing the kalkwasser as it’s dosed and preventing it from doing its job?

How much flow is in that section of the sump? In my experience kalk needs to be transferred to a high flow area in your sump otherwise this will be the result

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

That's calcium carbonate precipitation. While I'd be hesitant to claim it is "normal", it is certainly common and I had it. It is not a sign that you are dosing too much (excessive tank pH or alk would be that sign), but perhaps you need more flow or slower dosing where it is added.

Here's why mine looked like:

What is that Precipitate in My Reef Aquarium? by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/rhf/index.htm

Figure 4. When limewater drips onto surfaces, such as the sides of a sump, precipitation of calcium carbonate takes place. The off-white coloration probably comes from metals such as iron binding to the calcium carbonate surface in the place of calcium.

Figure 6. Calcium carbonate that forms on the end of the tubing where limewater drips into my sump.

 

[LEOreefer]

So I’ve got these formations in the bottom of my sump where the ATO is tied in. On this tank I use kalkwasser in my ATO. These are clearly from the kalkwasser, my question is; am I using too much, and anything left over is just turning into these solid chunks?

Another part to this is; are they beneficial to leave in the sump or are they absorbing the kalkwasser as it’s dosed and preventing it from doing its job?

So I’ve got these formations in the bottom of my sump where the ATO is tied in. On this tank I use kalkwasser in my ATO. These are clearly from the kalkwasser, my question is; am I using too much, and anything left over is just turning into these solid chunks?

Another part to this is; are they beneficial to leave in the sump or are they absorbing the kalkwasser as it’s dosed and preventing it from doing its job?

How much flow is in that section of the sump? In my experience kalk needs to be transferred to a high flow area in your sump otherwise this will be the result

 

[LEOreefer]

So I’ve got these formations in the bottom of my sump where the ATO is tied in. On this tank I use kalkwasser in my ATO. These are clearly from the kalkwasser, my question is; am I using too much, and anything left over is just turning into these solid chunks?

Another part to this is; are they beneficial to leave in the sump or are they absorbing the kalkwasser as it’s dosed and preventing it from doing its job?

So I’ve got these formations in the bottom of my sump where the ATO is tied in. On this tank I use kalkwasser in my ATO. These are clearly from the kalkwasser, my question is; am I using too much, and anything left over is just turning into these solid chunks?

Another part to this is; are they beneficial to leave in the sump or are they absorbing the kalkwasser as it’s dosed and preventing it from doing its job?

How much flow is in that section of the sump? In my experience kalk needs to be transferred to a high flow area in your sump otherwise this will be the result

 

[Reefer5640]

There not much flow. It drips right into the inlet of the return pump though so I figured that would be enough. I guess not. I’ll put a little power head in that section. Thanks for the inputs.

Randy

Are they beneficial to leave in the sump or can they cause a negative effect?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

There not much flow. It drips right into the inlet of the return pump though so I figured that would be enough. I guess not. I’ll put a little power head in that section. Thanks for the inputs.

Randy

Are they beneficial to leave in the sump or can they cause a negative effect?

It's like shards of calcium carbonate rock or sand. I doubt it has an effect one way or another after it has been in the water for a while and gets coated with all sorts of chemicals, bacteria, etc.

 

[Jbarrett_2673]

Hi

It's like shards of calcium carbonate rock or sand. I doubt it has an effect one way or another after it has been in the water for a while and gets coated with all sorts of chemicals, bacteria, etc.

Hi Randy I'm using a k1 avast kalk stirrer I'm dodging 10 ml a min I my sump I notice that my sand is starting to clump up any advise

 

[jpil]

I find the best place to introduce my kalk top off water is right in between/on top of a bubble trap which is usually a high flow area in a sump.