Something Bad Just Happened

[FSOL]

I forgot to tune down the controller of my kalk drip and went to the gym. When I got back in 2 hours I realized all the concentrated kalk mix (2 gallons) had just drained straight into my sump and into the tank (220 gallons total water volume).

Usually the 2 gallon drip last me a whole day or a day and a half, so you can see how fast the tank got dosed today.

I did a quick 30 gallon water change. Haven't measured alk and Ca levels yet, but as far as fish/corals go, they look as good as before the incident.

Am I, actually are my fish/corals screwed? After I type this I"ll go measure alk and Ca levels.

Thanks

 

[Johnsteph10]

How concentrated was your kalk mix?

I usually just do the slurry method - a couple of teaspoons in a few cups water, slosh it around, and then dump it into the sump. My pH doesn't jump up more than about 0.2 units for more than 30s or so and then back to normal before it reaches the tank.

 

[NeilPearson]

you're fine

 

[wife no likey]

I would be more concerned w/ a quick rise of your PH. Do you have a monitor or are you using test kits?

Pete

 

[Anemonebuff]

I do not think it will kill them. I am sure it raised the PH a lot. That is you main concern. The Ca and alk will not have as much of an effect. I would test your PH and dose a little white vinegar if necessary. If the PH of the tank is a 9 or higher I would lower it slowly by dripping vinegar. If it is a high 8 I would just let it go down on it's own. Just make sure you do this slowly!

Good luck

 

[NeilPearson]

If the pH had gotten that high, the water water would likely be milky from the calcium and alk precipitating out.

I doubt the pH has risen much and it should sort itself out pretty quickly

 

[BadOleRoss]

I did about the same thing a few days ago with no ill effects. i did it with 2 1/2 gallon of kalk in a 110 tank.

 

[iCam]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6856904#post6856904 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Johnsteph10
How concentrated was your kalk mix?

I usually just do the slurry method - a couple of teaspoons in a few cups water, slosh it around, and then dump it into the sump. My pH doesn't jump up more than about 0.2 units for more than 30s or so and then back to normal before it reaches the tank.

To each his own, but I would probably opt to drip instead of do that method. It's best to mix the limewater, then let it set for a few hours. You also don't really want the stuff that settles to be in the tank.

FSOL- If you have not seen any ill effects thus far, you are probably okay. You do have a large water volume compared to what limewater was put in. You also didn't mention any snowstorm, which is good.

I, on the other hand, had a gallon of limewater dumped into my tank, and it ended up being the demise of most of it.

It was sort of a bad thing turned good. I took the tank down, cleaned it,set it back up,and added some halides and a skimmer.