Need help! With a cal/alk related issue

black_majik · 03/21/2008, 03:20 PM

Well around last week I noticed when I added alk in Brightwell's Reef Code A & B that the liquid almost stayed suspended and made formations that looked similar to the "lava" in a lava lamp. It only "dissolved" into the water when it went by high current or through the circulation pumps. Until now I tried to test my calcium and whether I did it wrong or not after I added the initial 10 drops the water stayed cloudy and had no reaction to the other drops to add what will show the levels by 1 drop: 20 ppm of cal. so after adding 30 drops ( 600 cal ppm) I gave up and looked into why this is happening. I spent 5 minutes looking around and I couldn't find help. Also if this helps during that 5 minutes in the test tube the cloudy water sort of "sank" to the bottom of the test tube. Similar to water and oil or hot red water and cold blue water added together. Here are some more technical stuff that might help.

Alk: 9-10 dkh

Salt Mix: Red Sea Coral Pro( I have been using the same batch for about a month with no issues.

Dosing: Reef Code A&B

Tank: 12g Aquapod

Last New "thing" used in the tank: Vitamin C dose 2 weeks ago.

Temp: 77

Coral health: Only my radioactive greens are acting strange.( Closing up)

Tank observations: nothing abnormal

Hopefully I armed you guys with enough info and hopefully you guys can help thanks.

bertoni · 03/21/2008, 03:46 PM

The precipitate probably was magnesium hydroxide. The high pH of the alkalinity solution tends to cause this effect, but it's temporary:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...f/index.php#16

03/21/2008, 03:46 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 68,814	The precipitate probably was magnesium hydroxide. The high pH of the alkalinity solution tends to cause this effect, but it's temporary: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...f/index.php#16 __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

03/21/2008, 03:20 PM	#1
black_majik Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 855	Need help! With a cal/alk related issue Well around last week I noticed when I added alk in Brightwell's Reef Code A & B that the liquid almost stayed suspended and made formations that looked similar to the "lava" in a lava lamp. It only "dissolved" into the water when it went by high current or through the circulation pumps. Until now I tried to test my calcium and whether I did it wrong or not after I added the initial 10 drops the water stayed cloudy and had no reaction to the other drops to add what will show the levels by 1 drop: 20 ppm of cal. so after adding 30 drops ( 600 cal ppm) I gave up and looked into why this is happening. I spent 5 minutes looking around and I couldn't find help. Also if this helps during that 5 minutes in the test tube the cloudy water sort of "sank" to the bottom of the test tube. Similar to water and oil or hot red water and cold blue water added together. Here are some more technical stuff that might help. Alk: 9-10 dkh Salt Mix: Red Sea Coral Pro( I have been using the same batch for about a month with no issues. Dosing: Reef Code A&B Tank: 12g Aquapod Last New "thing" used in the tank: Vitamin C dose 2 weeks ago. Temp: 77 Coral health: Only my radioactive greens are acting strange.( Closing up) Tank observations: nothing abnormal Hopefully I armed you guys with enough info and hopefully you guys can help thanks. __________________ Finding Nemo: The most effective method of killing tropical marine fish. Current Tank Info: A couple: A 75 about to get a makeover, 20g Fish Holding Tank, 12g Reef W/ Anemones and yes Uncle Frosby they are indeed mushrooms.