hard white stuff on equipment (not salt creep)

[reef tank 2.0]

Lately I have been noticing a hard white build up in my tank. Primarily on my powerhead in the sump, as well as inside my GFO and carbon reactors. It has a very hard crusty texture to it, but yet, it's thin. I at first thought of some sort of calcium deposits, but wouldn't that imply that my calcium level is too high? I certainly know that's not the case, cause I fight to get it to raise/maintain my desired level. I'm fighting to get it above low 300's.

Here are a couple pictures I just took. When I do a water change, and clean the reactors out, I have to use a butter knife to scrape it off the edges. I scrape it out every 3-4 weeks.

 

[j.falk]

It looks like calcium / mineral deposits to me.

 

[tntdsol]

This can also be caused by high PH.

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[reef tank 2.0]

my ph is at 8.1 (according to the salifert tests)

 

[tntdsol]

What are you using to raise Cal/Alk?

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[reef tank 2.0]

I am using soda ash for alk.
And I am using calcium chloride

both from bulk reef supply

 

[mcgyvr]

Mag level?
Is that in the area where you dose?

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/rhf/index.php

 

[reef tank 2.0]

Yes, this is in the dosing section of my sump.
I can get the mag level tonight
As for that link, that's exactly what it is.

 

[lionfish300]

Calcium precipitate

 

[outssider]

switch to sodium bicarbonate for ALK. Dose it slowly …...your soda ash is raising the ph causing the calcium to precipitate ….