Calcium precipitate built up

[demariners]

Hello, I run a calcium reactor and that is all and do bi-weekly water changes. I am noticing my pumps are beginning to get precipitate on them. I am pretty sure it is in because it looks like grains of sand. Is there something I can do to avoid this or is it simply nature? I have my reactor effluent go directly into my filter sock if that helps. Not sure what else to try/do. I end up having to clean my impellers every couple months and the pumps sometimes seize up because of the build up.

[bertoni]

How much buildup is there and how long did it take to accumulate? A picture might help. Some buildup is normal.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

High alkalinity (possible), low magnesium (possible) and high pH (unlikely) can contribute to the problem. Mixing the reactor effluent into a lot of tank water before it hits a pump will help. Removing the CO2 from the effluent makes the problem worse, if you are doing that.

[demariners]

I have the effluent going directly into my filter sock? Is that bad? I will take pictures later tonght. It has occurred over about a week since I cleaned everything. It is not a lot but I have seen in the past it build up to a much greater degree. I have tried to out the effluent into the main display, different areas of the sump as well with the same result.

[demariners]

Alkalinity is 9.0 DKH, pH is 8.1, mag is 1320.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I don't see anything amiss.

Why do you send it into a sock? Do solids come out of it?

[demariners]

I was reading that, that helps with allowing the pH to not go too low? It has been pretty stable between 8.05-8.15.

[demariners]

So here is the picture today.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1024x768q90/835/d6mg.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/n7d6mgj)

[demariners]

After a good couple weeks this is what it has become. Again, I am just anticipating and trying to avoid it from happening again after I spent hours cleaning it out.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1024x768q90/560/qud9.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/fkqud9j)

[joeang]

How do you clean it off your power heads

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Are you asking the OP, or are you asking in general?

In general, one cleans powerheads by taking out the impeller and soaking the powerhead and impeller in acid, either vinegar (not diluted) or muriatic acid (diluted with 90% water).

[demariners]

Yes, I clean it in vinegar. What does that have to do with the issue?

[bertoni]

I think that the buildup looks within the normal range.