what should i do about Calcium Precipitation

mic209 · 10/07/2009, 08:56 PM

So my ALK doser got stuck on, as a result, ph jumped to 8.69.... Tank water is milky white, i did a 20% water change, all coral looks fine, SPS have full polype extension, no sliming, and all my zoas are open... PH is back down, but what do i do about all the Calcium on the Glass, Pumps, Rock, Etc? Is it okay to scrape?

kfisc · 10/07/2009, 09:30 PM

Scrape and siphon- it's obviously harmless left on the rock, and usually causes no real harm chemically after small events, but be careful about buildup in hidden but critical places such as drains and returns. It eventually breaks down and can clog lines and pumps.

mic209 · 10/07/2009, 11:54 PM

How about my calcium level? Will it drop, raise? Will it fall back into solution?

Randy Holmes-Farley · 10/08/2009, 05:30 AM

Once the water is clear, just remeasure the calcium, as it may have dropped a little, but probably not too much. Don't measure before it clears as the solids will lead to a false high reading. There is nothing you need to do about the solids in the water.

10/07/2009, 08:56 PM	#1
mic209 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Arroyo Grande, CA Posts: 1,338	what should i do about Calcium Precipitation So my ALK doser got stuck on, as a result, ph jumped to 8.69.... Tank water is milky white, i did a 20% water change, all coral looks fine, SPS have full polype extension, no sliming, and all my zoas are open... PH is back down, but what do i do about all the Calcium on the Glass, Pumps, Rock, Etc? Is it okay to scrape?

10/08/2009, 05:30 AM	#4
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Once the water is clear, just remeasure the calcium, as it may have dropped a little, but probably not too much. Don't measure before it clears as the solids will lead to a false high reading. There is nothing you need to do about the solids in the water. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

10/07/2009, 09:30 PM	#2
kfisc Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,020	Scrape and siphon- it's obviously harmless left on the rock, and usually causes no real harm chemically after small events, but be careful about buildup in hidden but critical places such as drains and returns. It eventually breaks down and can clog lines and pumps.

10/07/2009, 11:54 PM	#3
mic209 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Arroyo Grande, CA Posts: 1,338	How about my calcium level? Will it drop, raise? Will it fall back into solution?