tank snowing, what did i do wrong?

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by hydrojeff, Mar 1, 2009.

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  1. hydrojeff

    hydrojeff Montipora Capricornis

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    this morning when lights came on the top of the tank had a thick white film on it so i angled the power heads up to the surface and then it started snowing in the tank i just started dosing kalk and i dont think i let it set long enough till i pored off the top is this what is going on and should i dump the rest of the unused kalk down the drain and start over? thanks for all your help on this...
     
    hydrojeff, Mar 1, 2009
    hydrojeff, Mar 1, 2009
    #1

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  2. fishtongue

    fishtongue Astrea Snail

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    It sounds like your KH and Ca are way too high. When that happens the Ca precipitats like rain or snow. I would do a water change of about 25% to get things back in check. You may need to do 25% a few days in a row. I wouldn't worry about the kalk just drip it slowly and test the KH and Ca to see how much you really need. Also if your not stocked with a bunch of hard corals you shouldn't add kalk. Just add the simple two part type additives.
     
    fishtongue, Mar 1, 2009
    fishtongue, Mar 1, 2009
    #2
  3. Bogie

    Bogie Snowflake Eel

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    Please test and post your Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium levels.
     
    Bogie, Mar 1, 2009
    Bogie, Mar 1, 2009
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  4. hydrojeff

    hydrojeff Montipora Capricornis

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    yes all hards, small frags, cal is 440 and KH is 11, should i still do a water change?
     
    hydrojeff, Mar 1, 2009
    hydrojeff, Mar 1, 2009
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  5. hydrojeff

    hydrojeff Montipora Capricornis

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    and Mg is 1400
     
    hydrojeff, Mar 1, 2009
    hydrojeff, Mar 1, 2009
    #5
  6. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Definitely going to need these.
     
    missionsix, Mar 1, 2009
    missionsix, Mar 1, 2009
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  7. hydrojeff

    hydrojeff Montipora Capricornis

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    cal is 440, Mg is 1400 and KH is 11 or a high 2.9 thanks all
     
    hydrojeff, Mar 1, 2009
    hydrojeff, Mar 1, 2009
    #7
  8. hydrojeff

    hydrojeff Montipora Capricornis

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    bump
     
    hydrojeff, Mar 1, 2009
    hydrojeff, Mar 1, 2009
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  9. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Looks as if you messed up pretty good. Your M[SUB]g
    [/SUB] could go up a tad but, is fine where it is. Not sure about the snow. I've never used kalk either though. Keep an eye on the levels for the next couple of days and see what the parameters do.
     
    missionsix, Mar 1, 2009
    missionsix, Mar 1, 2009
    #9
  10. Aqualung

    Aqualung Stylophora

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    How did you dose the kalk? Did you drip it? I mix up kalk 1/4 tsp to 32 oz of ro water at a temp of 78. I just lightly shake the bottle for 10 sec.. Its sits for at least two hours. I use an airline hose and a valve, I drip two hours after the lights go out. I drip 1 drop per sec. Better safe than sorry. Also don't put the airline tube to the bottom of the container, leave it up about an inch. Sediment settles on the bottom, and you may have dripped that into your tank.
     
    Aqualung, Mar 1, 2009
    Aqualung, Mar 1, 2009
    #10
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