Emergency.........
- Thread starter Moosetache
- Start date
Moosetache
New member
Well, I am figuring out the combination of mistakes I made on this change....
RO water that was being mixed with salt was not warm enough.
Added Reef Buffer to salt water mix
Didnt let the water sit long enough before adding it
Others please learn from my mistake and be more patient. Thanks to everyone for your thoughts.
RO water that was being mixed with salt was not warm enough.
Added Reef Buffer to salt water mix
Didnt let the water sit long enough before adding it
Others please learn from my mistake and be more patient. Thanks to everyone for your thoughts.
Moosetache
New member
Should I wait for it to settle then blow off my rocks/corals with a small powerhead?
funman1
Active member
I add salt to my RO when the water is 40degs and start the heater and pump to mix it, So I don't think that's your problem.
I let mine mix for at least 2-3 hours and make sure it's crystal clear in the bucket, before adding to the tank.
To me it sounds like you switched to a salt that has a lot of CA and ALK and your tank was already out of balance,
so when you added this new mix with high levels of each it threw your tank in to precip mode.
I think you just have to wait for the CA to go back into solution.
Do a test on these 3 kits
Mag
CA
Alk
I suspect something is VERY out of wack with one of those numbers, and that's what caused this.
I let mine mix for at least 2-3 hours and make sure it's crystal clear in the bucket, before adding to the tank.
To me it sounds like you switched to a salt that has a lot of CA and ALK and your tank was already out of balance,
so when you added this new mix with high levels of each it threw your tank in to precip mode.
I think you just have to wait for the CA to go back into solution.
Do a test on these 3 kits
Mag
CA
Alk
I suspect something is VERY out of wack with one of those numbers, and that's what caused this.
fyi, buffer isnt really designed to raise your ph, its designed to raise your dkh. most salt water buffers have a ph of 8.2-3 from how i understand it. the problem was adding buffer to the mix up water. if you need to dose chemicals its best to do it with ro water mixture or to just put it in the sump. also it is best to not dose the tank the same say as a water change. water changes help recover your ca, alk and ph to what they are supposed to be on their own also.
Moosetache
New member
yeah, the levels were a bit out of whack....Ca was 420 and Alk was 6ish. I am sure that these were also contributing factors. tank is looking better now, just gonna have to test in the morning and see where I stand. I am sure that using Reef Crystals moving forward will help stabilize the Ca and Alk.
xraydoc
New member
By the way, if you are not routinely maintaining your parameters (at least Mg, Ca, Alk) I would recommend you consider some method of maintenance. I wouldnt rely on any salt mix to do that for you.
Your alk is especially important as it is reflective of the buffer capacity, or ability to resist large swings in pH, of your seawater.
If you are not already doing so, consider one of the many methods. . . 2 part, reactor, etc...
Your alk is especially important as it is reflective of the buffer capacity, or ability to resist large swings in pH, of your seawater.
If you are not already doing so, consider one of the many methods. . . 2 part, reactor, etc...
quiksilver
New member
Geez! I mix my salt and RO water for 24 hours with a airstone, powerhead, and heater. Let us know how this turns out.
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