BRS ALK Overdose Questions

[netsurge]

OK, So I added about 10oz of the ALK portion to my 47g tank all in one session because I forgot to turn the manual override off. The water turned cloudy. etc.

In reaction I did a 5g water change, and mixed a few drops of muriatic acid to salt solution and added to the tank slowly to drop the PH.

I tested the DKH and it went from 8-10.

Now here is the question. I tested the cal, mg, and ALK two days later and they are all over the place.

CA - 320-330
Alk - 8.6
MG - 1320

The cal dropped about 100 from where I was holding it and the ALK returned to normal. Is this possible just two days later?

-Mitch

 

[netsurge]

Maybe this should be in the Chem. forum??

 

[RynosReef]

I do think this would be best asked in the chemistry forums where the big boys hang out. But from my limited knowledge it may be possible. There are quite a few things that could affect it. 1. The daily uptake of alk and ca your tank naturally has 2. The sudden rise of alk could cause calcium to precipitate thus lowering it's amount quickly. At any rate your ca can be supplemented back up quicker than your alk. So you should be ok to start bringing your ca back up. I hope this helps but please ask in the chemistry forums to double check that my advice is good.

 

[d0ughb0y]

you can do a couple water changes and that's about it and just wait for the tank to stabilize. you can try adding vinegar, but I would not recommend it unless you can calculate how much to add.

I had that happen and did not lose anything.

 

[netsurge]

I'm happy to report that everything went OK. I was very nervous for a while. Thanks for the uplifting post doughboy!

-Mitch

 

[toothman]

I would do a large water change with good ro/di water and add your salt mix, check it before you add to your tank, you may be surprised what the ca, kh and mg are. Buffer accordingly.