pickling lime in my water change

[6 man reef]

OK I was teaching my son about top off versus water change so I could go on vacation.... when I accidentially put a teaspoon full of pickling lime in my newly mixed 30gal. of water change.:mad2: It went cloudy and then deposits on the mixing barrel wall. Someone tell me what happened and what to do. Thanks

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

What happened is you pushed the pH and alkalinity too high, precipitating calcium carbonate. Just let it settle and use it, but don't generally add lime to new salt water. :)

[6 man reef]

Got it

Thanks Randy !!

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing. :)

[ati70cutlass]

Randy, i hear pickling lime helps keep alk and calcium constant. i started at 2 tsp per 5 gallons and am up to 6 tsp for 5 gallons. i can not keep my alk consistant what so ever. i did a calculation and im using about .7- .8 dkh a day in my 40 sps. should i go directly to 2 tsp per gallon or keep ramping it.?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes, try 2 teaspoons per gallon of fresh top off water added very slowly (dropwise) and see what that does. Even that may not be adequate for a heavy SPS tank. :)