Dosing Kent tech B (ALK) - cloudy then crystals?

Logzor · 02/11/2009, 10:41 AM

So I stopped dosing limewater because my topoff system apparently sucked in a slurry of particles.

My tank is now crystal clear. To supplement alk I have some kent tech b. I used this for over a year on my old tank. Usually when I dumped it in it would form a cloudy and quickly go away.

When I am dosing this in my 90g it forms the same cloud but immediately forms thousands of fairly large crystal like particles. What is happening here?

Randy Holmes-Farley · 02/11/2009, 10:57 AM

That is somewhat unusual to get such crystals, but certainly not unheard of. A few people see longer lasting solids for some reason, but as long as they do eventually dissolve and do not apparently settle out, you are probably OK. Try adding it to a higher flow area, and maybe dilute it more with fresh water before addition. Boosting the magnesium in the aquarium may also solve the problem if it is very low.

Titus07 · 02/11/2009, 11:02 AM

I had that happen last night. There was a heap of fluffy crystals in the bottom of my sump, so I stirred the water with my hand and they went away.

Logzor · 02/11/2009, 11:32 AM

My MAG is just under 1300.

I noticed it was low a week ago so I added around 150ml on two separate days to help raise it. I just added more....

Should one run more in the 1300 or 1500 range?

Note: I am using the Kent Tech-M @ 70,000ppm

02/11/2009, 10:41 AM	#1
Logzor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kenwood, Ohio Posts: 4,073	Dosing Kent tech B (ALK) - cloudy then crystals? So I stopped dosing limewater because my topoff system apparently sucked in a slurry of particles. My tank is now crystal clear. To supplement alk I have some kent tech b. I used this for over a year on my old tank. Usually when I dumped it in it would form a cloudy and quickly go away. When I am dosing this in my 90g it forms the same cloud but immediately forms thousands of fairly large crystal like particles. What is happening here?

02/11/2009, 10:57 AM	#2
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	That is somewhat unusual to get such crystals, but certainly not unheard of. A few people see longer lasting solids for some reason, but as long as they do eventually dissolve and do not apparently settle out, you are probably OK. Try adding it to a higher flow area, and maybe dilute it more with fresh water before addition. Boosting the magnesium in the aquarium may also solve the problem if it is very low. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

02/11/2009, 11:32 AM	#4
Logzor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kenwood, Ohio Posts: 4,073	My MAG is just under 1300. I noticed it was low a week ago so I added around 150ml on two separate days to help raise it. I just added more.... Should one run more in the 1300 or 1500 range? Note: I am using the Kent Tech-M @ 70,000ppm Last edited by Logzor; 02/11/2009 at 11:38 AM.

02/11/2009, 11:02 AM	#3
Titus07 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 288	I had that happen last night. There was a heap of fluffy crystals in the bottom of my sump, so I stirred the water with my hand and they went away.