Alk dosing cloud

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by blackraven1425, May 9, 2010.

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  1. blackraven1425

    blackraven1425 Giant Squid

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    Alright, so I dosed mag over the last 2 days, and got up to ~1400. Now, I went to add the alk solution (soda ash from BRS), and every time I try to drip some in (couple drops), it'll start to form a small, white, smokey could in the spot, which turns into bigger chunks and drifts through the rest of the backsump, never to be seen again. Is that a normal thing for alk to do?
     
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  3. reefmonkey

    reefmonkey Giant Squid

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    Yes it clouds and is perfectly normal.
     
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  4. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    Yes as long as it clears quickly, less than 15 minutes
     
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  5. blackraven1425

    blackraven1425 Giant Squid

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    Awesome, it clears before it makes it out of the pump. I put it in the back sump, the chamber between the skimmer and "bubble trap" (aka PITA sponge), and it doesn't make it out of the outlet for the pump which is about 18 inches of travel, so much less than 15 mins lol
     
  6. GuitarMan89

    GuitarMan89 Giant Squid

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    Try to add it in front of a powerhead. I don't like to add it into pumps as it tends to cause a buildup.
     
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  7. blackraven1425

    blackraven1425 Giant Squid

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    Err, the pumps are the powerheads in my setup, so it's not really an option. I'm adding @ 8, that seem alright?
     
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  9. reefmonkey

    reefmonkey Giant Squid

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    Just keep the pumps cleaned regularly and you'll be alright. If you let it go they will build up deposits. I drip my alk into the intake area and can see the cloud all the way to the pump. Just have to clean it a little better. I let it soak in vinegar then scrub it. Then I run it in a bucket of r/o for about 5 minutes.
     
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  10. blackraven1425

    blackraven1425 Giant Squid

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    Alright, will do. I've had that pump on the list to be cleaned anyway, and haven't gotten around to it.