noob's Q about Alk DIY recepie

[TekCat]

Hi Chemistry wizards, I am fairly new, so I please forgive me if I ask stupid questions. Anyway, I made Ca/Alk home made Randy's mixes. All goes well, but when I dose Alk portion to the tank I see that the water (where I dose) becomes cloudy white. Is that because Ca gets precipitated in the localized high Alk area? If it is so, then what do I need to do in order to prevent this phenomenon?

Another question: I've seen somewhere a link (but cant find it) that compares GAC brands. Anyone knows where is it? Or if it is lost in the internet realm could you experts recommend me a brand of carbon that is well performing?

Thanks alot

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The cloudy whiteness is a transient precipitation of magnesium hydroxide when using Recipe 1. It should easily redissolve as it mixes in.

This article discusses it:

What is that Precipitate in My Reef Aquarium?
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/rhf/index.htm

from it:

this is normal:

I do not have any good GAC brand comparison links.

 

[TekCat]

Thanks Randy, Now I can sleep better

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

If only all of life's problems were so easy.

Happy Reefing.