buffer causing a slick

[jmack]

Since I've been adding buffer a 'slick' of powdery looking stuff has formed on the top of my water. I have adequate flow so how do I get rid of it?

 

[PatMayo]

What kind of buffer are you using and why?

A skimmer should get rid of it easily or a filter like a magnum 350 with that filter that polishes water. I can't recall the name of the filter.

Regards,

Pat

 

[bertoni]

You could try pointing some powerheads up at the water surface to get a good ripple going. A preskimmer also can remove a lot of junk from the surface.

I, too, am wondering what product you're using.

 

[jmack]

I used Seachem's reef buffer. I have a coralife 220 so the skimmer is good..but it doesn't remove the slick. Maybe the magnum would help?

 

[bertoni]

I assume you're dissolving it in fresh water before dosing? Hmm, a bit odd. What are the Ca and alkalinity levels in the tank?

I don't think the Magnum will help by itself, unless it has a surface skimmer. You need to get some motion in the, er, mini-ocean. Some paper towels will work for the moment.

 

[jmack]

Yes I'm dissolving in fresh water but it does look like a white cloud when it goes into the water. The Ca is 480..the alk is 10dkh. My PH was low this morning 7.8 so I added the buffer..corals responded positively to it but it's a cosmetic issue...it leaves a haze in my tank and this slick on the water surface.

 

[bertoni]

The Ca is a little high. You could try letting it drop to 400ppm or so. Is magnesium okay?

I don't remember whether I got a cloud or not when I used this product. Just been too long.

 

[jmack]

I don't have a magnesium test but I did add the epsom salts to the tank. I forgot to mention I had some corraline die off this past week (turned white) which sent up a red flag..when I tested the ph i found it was low.

 

[dchao]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6563566#post6563566 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmack
I used Seachem's reef buffer. I have a coralife 220 so the skimmer is good..but it doesn't remove the slick. Maybe the magnum would help?

Magnum won't either. You problem is removing the surface scum, what you need is a overflow box (to a sump) or suface preskimmer. Coralife doesn't make a surface preskimmer, and I haven't seen any DIY mods in the equipment forum either. If can try Magnum, but you would want to take the water inlet from the surface too with a device like the Fluval Surface Skimmer:

You should also ask the same Q here on the CSS thread:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=6562741#post6562741

 

[bertoni]

I would suggest getting a magnesium test. I run Mg tests about once a month or so, to be safe. What is the pH?

 

[jmack]

8.3 now

 

[bertoni]

Well, that's perfect, so that's not an issue. Sigh!

 

[Fast Fred]

Edited double post

 

[Fast Fred]

You state that your pH was at 7.8 in the morning. Is this just after the lights had been out all night? It's common for the pH to fall at night when the lights are out and photosynthesis stops. It could also be a carbon dioxide build up at night. What I'm trying to say is that maybe you don't need to use the buffer. You may be treating a symtom, and not the true problem. Test the pH during the day when the lights are on, test it just before they go out in the evening, then test it again before the lights come on in the morning. Let us know your results.

 

[jmack]

ok I will do that today...I'll post tonight..thanks

 

[jmack]

I tested the ph and it was 8.2 this evening

 

[bertoni]

That's a fine pH, IMO. Just be sure it doesn't drop too much during the night.

 

[jmack]

do i need to drip kalk? How do I keep pH elevated overnight?

 

[bertoni]

I wouldn't worry too much yet. pH drops overnight because photosynthesis stops, and seldom does it drop enough to be a problem. Since the tank might be having a buffer issue, a check might be worthwhile, IMO.