I just did a water change. 3 gal change in a 75 gal tank, which I do weekly. I used Prime just like I always do to dechlorinate, added a little more salt than I usually do (trying to slowly raise salinity), then I added Marine Buffer which I usually do separately. After I added this concoction to the tank I looked down at the tank and it looked like I added milk. It's really cloudy, but slowly clearing. An hour ago I couldn't see halfway through the tank, I'm starting to see shapes on the back now. Did I screw up adding the buffer to the mixed water? Is there something I can do?
Help!!! Milky water!!!
- Thread starter ebauman75
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slowradio
New member
remember, only change the water again if the water stays cloudy or you have a spike in any levels. in the future, do things slowly so that the system has time to absorb it. it's kind of like coffee and sleeping pills... great combo as long one is in the morning and the other is at night!
calcium went up a from 420-440 and nitrate from 5ppm-10ppm. My salinity didn't even change! Any ideas on how long to wait for it to clear before I REALLY start to freak out? I'm a little concerned about the fish, because if I try to feed them most of it is just going to sink to the bottom and spike my levels again.
Yes, it's fish only. In a few months I'm planning to switch to Reef Buffer and after another month or so start adding corals. I added 3.5 teaspoons which is the correct amount at 1 teaspoon per 20 gal, 75 gal tank less the sand. (I actually measured the amount it took to fill it when I set it up at just shy of 70 gal)
clevername
New member
Its the Marine Buffer, I dont really want to post a huge explanation as to what (chemically) Marine Buffer does, but your adding calcium to the water which CANT be diluted IE Marine Buffer
Please do a search, PH, calcium and alkalinity are all tied together.
Run some carbon to clear the water and stop adding the buffer, test everyday and track your findings. A true reef tank should NEVER have PH problems, as the ALK will keep the ph stable.
Adjusting the PH alone is a (quick fix) solution
Please do a search, PH, calcium and alkalinity are all tied together.
Run some carbon to clear the water and stop adding the buffer, test everyday and track your findings. A true reef tank should NEVER have PH problems, as the ALK will keep the ph stable.
Adjusting the PH alone is a (quick fix) solution
Young Frankenstein
New member
bertony I use a buffer also . Just curious what do you use to buff PH?
Young Frankenstein
New member
By the way it sounds clevername like you added too much buffer at once. Directions on the buffer say to use only 2 teaspoons per week to raise PH
Okay, I suspect you just need to add the Marine Buffer to the tank, not a smaller container. The small container got severely overdosed with buffer. Before you switch to a reef, I'd suggest doing a number of 20-30% water changes to try to get the Marine Buffer out of the system.
I use limewater or 2-part to add alkalinity (buffer) my systems. In a reef, the pH is more strongly connected to CO2 than alkalinity, really.
I use limewater or 2-part to add alkalinity (buffer) my systems. In a reef, the pH is more strongly connected to CO2 than alkalinity, really.
