Calc/Alk again...

[ZaboAA]

I've read all the articles about calcium/ALK and still have a rough time controlling it. Here are my readings:

Calc: 650 (high)
PH: 8.4
Alk: MG/L: 60 (Low)

I use Bionic daily, about 90 ML a day of each. My tank is doing fantastic, (SPS, LPS, clams, and Anemoneââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s), my parameters were doing good for the last 6 months, but just started to show the above readings about a month ago. I question the Calcium reading; think maybe the test kit is in accurate (Nutrafin), but not sure. I've also noticed when I add the alk directly into the tank now it turns to snow immediately (Proper term?) and takes awhile to dissipate into the water (about 15-30 minutes) I started this tank about 8 months ago, it's a 135. Been in the hobby about 5 years. This is my first big tank. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Mark

 

[steve the plumb]

Are you dosing Randys alk formula.Your calcium is high wich also affects the alkalinity you might try lowering calcium level and use baking soda(baked Randys formula to raise alk)What are you testing with and what are all levels at.Are your test kits accurate?Whats your mag level at.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

What alkalinity kit? The fact that it stays cloudy so long after adding the alkalinity suggests that perhaps you are actually precipitating calcium carbonate, and not just forming the transient magnesium hydroxide that usually forms initially and redissolves as it mixes in. Have you measured the pH when it is still cloudy?

Magnesium is worth measuring in a case like this, as low magnesium contributes to the likelihood of precipitation of calcium carbonate.

I would stop the calcium portion of the B-ionic if you think the calcium kit is correct, and just let it drift down over time as you continue to supplement alkalinity.

What salt mix are you using? Some have excessive calcium.

 

[ZaboAA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6684763#post6684763 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randy Holmes-Farley
What alkalinity kit?

Nutrafin . I have another off barand that shows the alk low also. I am having my doubt's that the calcium is that high, so I may buy another kit to verify.


The fact that it stays cloudy so long after adding the alkalinity suggests that perhaps you are actually precipitating calcium carbonate, and not just forming the transient magnesium hydroxide that usually forms initially and redissolves as it mixes in. Have you measured the pH when it is still cloudy?

No. But it doesn't really get cloudy, it precipitates in stringy or little balls of white.

Magnesium is worth measuring in a case like this, as low magnesium contributes to the likelihood of precipitation of calcium carbonate.

Ok, I'll test for it.

I would stop the calcium portion of the B-ionic if you think the calcium kit is correct, and just let it drift down over time as you continue to supplement alkalinity.

What salt mix are you using? Some have excessive calcium.

I got a good deal instanty ocean, so that is what I've been using.



Thanks mark.

 

[steve the plumb]

I have had problems when dosing to strong a baking soda formula.The liquid balled up and sank to the bottmom of my sump.It wasn't dillute enough and need much more current to mix.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

But it doesn't really get cloudy, it precipitates in stringy or little balls of white.

Adding it to a higher flow area may reduce that problem.