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Reeflove2
02/14/2014, 12:49 PM
Hi,

I'm a new reefer, my tank has been up for 6 months. RSM 250 with following,

Apex full
external overflow
trigger systems 30 sump with 110 reef octopus skimmer
Miracle mud with cheto
DC return pump.
BRS GFO and carbon reactors.
24X24X10 advanced acrylic frag tank connected to the same system.
2 clowns, yellow wrass, 2 chromis.

Calcium - 450
Alk - 9
Ph stays between 8.06-8.14
P04 - .04
Mg - 1600

Now, the problem....is that I have a hair algae problem. And also my po4 stays the same I'm not over feeding and understand that my rock might be leaching.

My Sps in frag tank are thriving no problems there.

But I above Ca precipitation as soon as I add PH buffer at night. So why is that happening if the Mg is so high ? Ay ideas ??

Thanks in advance.

disc1
02/14/2014, 01:17 PM
Calcium and alk look like they're fine. If you're adding pH buffer (which is really an alkainity buffer) then it may be knocking the alkalinity high for a minute and that might be the source of your precipitation.

Magnesium helps, but it can only do so much. There is a limit to the product of calcium and alkalinity that you just cannot overcome. The higher the pH, the lower that limit is. So any time you are adding something that is increasing pH and alkalinity like the pH buffer you have to be careful of calcium precipitation.

Reeflove2
02/14/2014, 01:25 PM
Thanks for the reply.

So should I just stop adding ph buffer at night ? I use Red Sea buffer, I add 2 ml twice after lights out. Souls I just set up a drip system after the lights are out ? Or just set at Alk every few days. Or just dilute the buffer and the add it?

disc1
02/14/2014, 02:09 PM
Do you need it for alkalinity or are you using it for pH? If I is for alkalinity then just dose it more slowly. If you're doing it for pH then just stop.

thegrun
02/14/2014, 02:15 PM
You might also want to save a few dollars and just use baked baking soda.

Reeflove2
02/14/2014, 02:53 PM
I'm using it for Ph. To keep it from falling too much during the night because of Algae process during the day and keep Alk consistently around 9.

bertoni
02/14/2014, 03:03 PM
As long as the alkalinity stays at your target level, adding the pH buffer is okay. All the pH buffers are high-pH alkalinity supplements, although sometimes they are advertised as leaving the dKH unchanged.