Emergency.........

[Moosetache]

I just did about an 8 gallon water change on my 65....used reef crystals and added some reef buffer because my ph was a little low yesterday...(7.9). Now the entire tank is a giant cloud....what the hell is going on?

Used RO water as well in case you were wondering.

 

[Moosetache]

I hope I didnt just crash my tank and kill everything....

 

[Moosetache]

was the first time I have used reef crystals.....I am assuming that using IO in the past and using reef crystals now, would not cause this....I literally cant see 3" into the tank.

 

[audio101]

How did you mix the salt and how long did you let it sit for?

 

[ReefEnabler]

I've never seen this personally, but it sounds like a calcium carbonate snowstorm, caused when you add too much calcium or alkalinity at once, which causes most of the calcium to precipitate from the water.

What method do you normally use to keep your calc/alk elevated? I know reef crystals is supposed to have more calcium/alk, so maybe somehow that caused the precipitation reaction?

Sorry wish I knew more about it.

So essentially, bump

 

[The Saltman]

7.9 is not a really low ph. Did you know the calcium and alkalinity levels before you added the buffer? Too much calcium and alkalinity will reach a point of precipitation, which it sounds like you have done.

 

[ReefEnabler]

maybe he added the reef builder TO the salt mix? I think that would be a bad idea, especially with reef crystals which already has elevated calcium/alk.

 

[Sk8r]

should be ok, just watch it carefully, stand by with additional salt water with only one kind of salt, in case any organisms are in distress.

 

[Moosetache]

I mixed the salt into the water....let it mix for about 15 minutes for each bucket until disolved....or so I thought. the water I realized as I was adding it toward the end that the water I was adding was white. That is why I thought it might be something about the extra buffer I put in it.

I have had a low Ca right up until yesterday I finally got it up to 420, but my alk was still at 6. So I did add some alk this morning. I normally just have a supplement that I add alk daily and Ca every other day.

 

[xraydoc]

I would bet that you have some precipitant, likely related to the buffer.

Im not sure what the exact numbers are for varying levels of Mg, Ca etc... in Crystals as opposed to IO, but there are some threads comparing different salt mixes.

I would test your Ca, Mg, and Alk levels as well as your pH. If any are out of range precipitation may be the issue.

The only solution if precipitation is the case is a water change, the addition of unsaturated water will allow for the precipitant to fall back into solution.

Thats just my opinion, good luck!

 

[The Saltman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11763930#post11763930 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RyanBrucks
maybe he added the reef builder TO the salt mix? I think that would be a bad idea, especially with reef crystals which already has elevated calcium/alk.

This is very true, you shouldn't have to add any buffer to reef crystals. The calcium and alk are already high. Just wait for everything to clear up and I wouldn't add anything again unless you test for it.

 

[Moosetache]

I didnt add reef BUILDER...it was Buffer. not trying to increase the alk in the bucket, but I was tyring to get the PH up a little.

 

[Moosetache]

Should I turn off the 2 koralia 4's in the tank to let it settle?

question 2:
Is my Ca and Alk going to be low after this assuming it was a precipitate that has occurred here?

 

[Moosetache]

How long does this cloud normally last? I am also concerned that the water temperature of the added water was below the temperature of the tank....not by a lot, but some. Would this have also caused this problem?

 

[The Saltman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11763975#post11763975 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Moosetache
Should I turn off the 2 koralia 4's in the tank to let it settle?

question 2:
Is my Ca and Alk going to be low after this assuming it was a precipitate that has occurred here?

#1I don't think shutting them off will help it clear up faster. I think having the water moving will help it clear faster.


#2I'm not really sure, but I would test each and see what your levels are and go from there.

 

[The Saltman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11764020#post11764020 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Moosetache
How long does this cloud normally last? I am also concerned that the water temperature of the added water was below the temperature of the tank....not by a lot, but some. Would this have also caused this problem?

It will vary from tank to tank on how long it will last. It will just depend on your water movement and how quickly things settle. A difference in temperature would not have caused this problem, however, you always want the same temperature when doing water changes. Even a sudden temperature change of a few degrees can stress inhabitants.

 

[Moosetache]

Thank you all for hopefully clearing up my fears of a complete crash. I am going to be very nervous for the next water change. I havent had this problem in the past, so I am not sure what exactly is going on that is different than normal, unless it is just the change in salt. The fish seem to be doing okay so far, except my Copperband bfly is breathing pretty fast. Wish me luck, and if anyone can think of anything else please let me know.
thanks

 

[xraydoc]

If it is precipitant, turning off the flow will allow the precipitant to fall to the rock and substrate (assuming the precipitated crystal is more dense than seawater)

Increased water temperature does help to dissolves solids into liquids, however if your water is saturated it wont make enough difference to pull the precipitant back into solution.

I would either leave it alone and wait awhile or consider a water change.

 

[Moosetache]

Assuming it does fall to the rocks and substrate, is this something that I am going to have to get removed over time? I have never had this problem before somehow, so just trying to see what the rules of the game are at this point....

Think I am just going to wait and see what happens, and get it tested tomorrow to see what the parameters are.

 

[wrott]

It will clear up. You should probably add a power head to your mixing vessel and add clear water to tank, then adjust parameters by adding supplements to tank and not to new salt water in the bucket.