I keep my calcium around 400-430 and Alk aat 3Meq/L. I have tried to raise my ALKjust a bit to be on the save side when it lowers to 2 or 2.5 but what seems to happen is a lot of precipitation. My Alk just won't go any higher than 3. What is the deal? everything else test fine. I am sure that isn't enough info but is this normal?
Question about precipitation
- Thread starter rtaylors3
- Start date
serpentman
part time superhero
+1. Most of the time this is the culprit.
spectrum82586
New member
+ 2 def. mg
spectrum82586
New member
+ 2 def. mg
So I finally decided to get a mag. test cause things just were not getting any better. I tested it lastnight before I was to do a water change today but I realized i read it wrong when I tested it again today after the change so I don't know what it was before the change. Well after a 14g water change today it read 1200ppm. I have a supplement for it now so I can test and raise as needed. I suppose if my ALK and calcium become eassier to maintain then everyone was right. Thanks all! -Rachel
What are you adding to try to boost the alkalinity?
What do you mean by precipitation? Cloudiness in the water or solid white stuff on surfaces?
It is normal with high pH alkalinity additives to see local cloudiness in the water when added:
This is normal, but it eventually dissolves:
What is that Precipitate in My Reef Aquarium?
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/rhf/index.htm
from it::
Figure 3. The transient cloud of magnesium hydroxide that forms when high pH additives are added. In this case, the alkalinity portion of B-ionic was added to a fairly still portion of one of my reef aquaria.
What do you mean by precipitation? Cloudiness in the water or solid white stuff on surfaces?
It is normal with high pH alkalinity additives to see local cloudiness in the water when added:
This is normal, but it eventually dissolves:
What is that Precipitate in My Reef Aquarium?
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/rhf/index.htm
from it::
Figure 3. The transient cloud of magnesium hydroxide that forms when high pH additives are added. In this case, the alkalinity portion of B-ionic was added to a fairly still portion of one of my reef aquaria.
Checking magnesium is certainly worthwhile, but is not always the answer. Adding a lower pH two part or alkalinity supplement (like B-ionic Bicarbonate or my DIY recipe #2) also often solves the problem. pH is a huge driver of such precipitation. Better mixing near the point of addition also helps.
The tank pH may not be a problem, but the local pH spikes very high when you add a high pH additive like limewater or B-ionic. 
:thumbsup:
Good luck.
Good luck.
