Water Chemistry question

[Saber]

First: While retesting my water parameteres today, I did not have enough test solution left to finish my Ca test so I do not know what my Ca is. Alk is 3.29 which has dropped from 3.99 when I tested two days ago. Mg is 1290 which is up from 1260 2 days ago. Ca is up from 375 to what I don't know from 2 days ago as I have dosed Kent Calcium over the last 2 days to increase these levels. This tank is a relatively new setup so I am still trying to figure out how much to dose on a daily basis. I normally use Kent 2 part solution to maintain Ca and Alk levels.

Now the question. Today I added a little more Mg (30ml) to the sump. Immediately after I went to add 20 ml of the alkalinity component of the Kent 2 part. Instead of dissipating as it normally does, it turned to snow and precipitated out into the sump. What caused this? Adding immediately after adding the Mg or possibly Ca out of wack? Something else?

My tank is 55 gal + about 30 in the sump.

 

[vessxpress1]

A 2 part system like B-Ionic, you can dump in the alk, then the calc (pt. 2). When you go to add Mg and/or strontium, you're suppose to wait a good 30 min., better yet , alternating days before you add alk. In short, don't add Mg, or Sr. or Calc. the same day you add alk. It probably tells you on the directions. Your alk is way low by the way. I get worried when mine gets down to 8.
Also, your water can get to a point where it's saturated with one thing or the other. In other words, you can keep dumping additive and it won't raise the level because it will preceipitate out of the water column. The alk. , calc. and Mg will mainly compete against each other so you just have to try to keep a good balance.

 

[Saber]

Water Chemistry

Water Chemistry

I gave my Alk in Megs/l. Converted to Dkh will be 10.9.

No mention at all on the Mg bottle about any delay in adding Ca or Alk after the addition of Mg. However, I have read on several occasions that part a and part b of the two part solutions should be introduced into the tank 30 minutes apart if possible.

 

[Paintbug]

for starts what test kits are you using for mag, alk, calc? the snow is call calcium precipitation. basicly your water cant absorb any more calc, so it clumps together. it comes from something not balanced in your water.

 

[vessxpress1]

Oh yeah. Mg/L. I make that mistake all the time when I read that. Sorry. Well, I add the 2-parts at the same time because you're suppose to dump them in before the lights come on if possible (while the pH is depressed) and I don't leave myself much time in the morning before i have to go to work.

All I know is the, alkalinity messes with the other stuff somehow. Your alk. bottle should tell you that. The Mg. wouldn't.

 

[Sk8r]

Best to test daily, wait 24 hours, test again before adding anything and then add only one dose of whatever-it-is, wait 24, etc ad infinitum. Write down every reading in a notebook, also water changes, AND what you added, if your memory is like mine.