Precipitation

I prepared about 20 gallons of SW, checked parameters before introduction, and found the alk a bit low for me: 9.0. Using the level of alk in my tank currently, I came up with the amount of BRS solution to add to the newly-mixed water, to obtain the net level of alkalinity I desired.

Well, silly me--I didn't consider that such a small volume of water couldn't take such an amount of alk solution, and now have some nearly opaque, white water that I can't add to my 90.

Is there anything I could do that would buffer the alk and bring it back into solution so it could be added to the tank, or must I simply dump it all down the drain?

Diluting it isn't an option, as I only have 2-20 gallon totes, and the one with water in it is full to the top. The other I need one to collect the water from the tank.

Suggestions? :-/

 

could you siphon some of your "milk" out and dilute after that?

 

AFAIK once the precipitate forms it's pretty much a done deal, it's calcium carbonate and you won't be able to (at least easily) separate that all back out.
You could maybe let the precipitate settle out or filter it out with a power filter or through a micron filter bag although I'm not sure what size you'd need, and then just check the cal,alk, and mg and buffer back up to the desired levels, you might lose a little bit of trace minerals etc but nothing too disasterous I don't think.

If this crashes your tank don't blame me but it sounds to me like it would work, maybe someone else can say for sure.

 

Yep

Dump it and start over

 

To divott:

I was just considering that. Maybe remove about 10 gallons into two 5 gallon buckets and go from there?

That might be my only option unless someone else steps up. The only downside is that I'd have to wait for the RO/DI to produce 10G of water, and I'd end up doing a 33% water change instead of my usual 20%. I don't suppose there would be any real harm in a larger change, but I kinda like my consistency. . . know what I mean?

Thanks!!

 

Hmm. I didn't think that was the case, Curt. I thought if I add enough fresh RO/DI water as solvent, the precipitate would go back into solution.

 

Fixing the Calcium and Magnesium is easy. (Obviously, the sulphide/chloride balance isn't a biggie with only 20 gallons). Balancing your carbonates and bi-carbonates will be a pain unless you have the Seachem Alkalinity Test kit. If this was 200 gallons, I would say mess with it. For 20 gallons, chalk it up to experience, use a little more water and a little more salt and go to bed without pulling out your hair.

EDIT: Just to clarify, all test kits strictly read Total Alkalinity. Only Seachem breaks Total Alk down for you.

 

this an old dog , new trick kinda thing sparky?

and no disrespect, im not saying youre old. i cant. lol

 

Not compared to you, I ain't! LOL.

But, yeah. Got me there. Old dog I am.

 

Well Curt, seems you're right and I'm not surprised. Your knowledge is never ending!

I first took a quarter cup of the "milk" and the same amount of FW and mixed the two. No dice, just as cloudy. Then took 1/3 milk to 2/3 FW, better, but still cloudy.

I then realized I didn't feel like making more than 60G of RO/DI water to offset my bungle.

Into the shower it goes!!