2-Part, too much?

[tanksoftwiddy]

Hello all,
I recently had a kalk overdose in the system. It threw all my numbers out of whack, but gotten them somewhat stable. I’m running my tank between 8.1-8.3 ph. Prior to the kalk dump, I was dosing about 180ml per day of two part. Since the kalk dump, it’s more like 300ml.
I thought the 180 ML number was high before, but now it seems really high. I do notice slot of precipitate in my return chamber where I dose the two part.
1) Should I move my tubing to dose somewhere different?
2) is this number way too high?
3) if the number seems too high, is it all precipitating in the return chamber and not getting to the system?
I have a 120 mixed reef. Good amount of coral, but nothing like I see on these forums sometimes. Try to run alk at 8.5, calc at 425 and magnesium at 1350. I have not gotten my mag stable since kalk dump, so that may be part of it too. Thanks

 

[Saltyreef]

It all depends on the strength of your two part and your coral stock list.

As far as the precipitate goes....
Are you dosing above the water line and what are you using?

 

[Saltyreef]

The two dosing lines (assuming alk and cal for 2 part) should not be dosing at the same time. Give it 5 to 10 mins in between as both dosing at the same time in the same area will cause precipitate

 

[tanksoftwiddy]

It all depends on the strength of your two part and your coral stock list.

As far as the precipitate goes....
Are you dosing above the water line and what are you using?

The two dosing lines (assuming alk and cal for 2 part) should not be dosing at the same time. Give it 5 to 10 mins in between as both dosing at the same time in the same area will cause precipitate

I am dosing soda ash and calcium chloride from BRS Using their 1 gallon strength mix. I use a DOS with my APEX and they do sometimes run at the same time. Also, dosing above the water line. I’ll move where my alk is going in, maybe to the display next to a power head and see if that helps.

 

[Saltyreef]

I am dosing soda ash and calcium chloride from BRS Using their 1 gallon strength mix. I use a DOS with my APEX and they do sometimes run at the same time. Also, dosing above the water line. I’ll move where my alk is going in, maybe to the display next to a power head and see if that helps.

How are you accounting for the kalk?
And since you are dosing soda ash, is it needed for ph boost?

 

[tanksoftwiddy]

How are you accounting for the kalk?
And since you are dosing soda ash, is it needed for ph boost?

Kalk is in my top off. I use my trident to measure value, and then let the dos and apex adjust to what I need on the two part. I’ve got 4 people and 3 dogs in my house so doing everything I can to keep ph up, also running a co2 scrubber. Have to do all of that to ever get to 8.3

 

[tanksoftwiddy]

Alright. So, I believe I’ve gotten everything stable, but I am going through 600mls of BRS Soda Ash per DAY. That’s something like 5-6 dkh of consumption per day. That can’t be right? Where is it all going? I do have corals and such that are growing, but I don’t see anyone else with this level of consumption anywhere on these forums.

 

[Saltyreef]

Photos of your tank please.

Do you ever notice precipitation floating around or sticking to the walls of the tank or pumps?

 

[tanksoftwiddy]

Don’t really notice precipitate floating around. I do have a dead spot behind some rock where I siphon stuff from time to time.
I guess there could still be some “seeds” leftover from my kalk overdose a few weeks back?

 

[tanksoftwiddy]

Don’t really notice precipitate floating around. I do have a dead spot behind some rock where I siphon stuff from time to time.
I guess there could still be some “seeds” leftover from my kalk overdose a few weeks back?

 

[Saltyreef]

I see a lot of large established coral and lots of coraline algae.
Doesnt seem like too far fetched in a 120g tank.


How are you mixing your soda ash?

 

[tanksoftwiddy]

I see a lot of large established coral and lots of coraline algae.
Doesnt seem like too far fetched in a 120g tank.


How are you mixing your soda ash?

That makes me feel better. All good if that’s not to far fetched.
Mixing soda ash in a gallon container, letting it clear and then dosing with a Neptune DOS. I do see some soda ash accumulating in the bottom of my alk Dos reservoir. Maybe I should clean it and start fresh?

 

[Saltyreef]

You mentioned not being able to keep mag stable...
This could have an effect on your alk/cal dosing.

What is your dosing regemine and what are you using for mag suppliment?

Does your ph drop when you remove the addition of kalk? If so, to what value?

 

[tanksoftwiddy]

You mentioned not being able to keep mag stable...

What is your dosing regemine and what are you using for mag suppliment?

So, I don’t think my mag was unstable. I had a bad test kit. I’ve gotten that up (maybe too high), letting it come down and then will dose BRS Mag with a kameor dosing pump.
Since confirmed my trident and other tests kits are in line.

 

[Saltyreef]

So, I don’t think my mag was unstable. I had a bad test kit. I’ve gotten that up (maybe too high), letting it come down and then will dose BRS Mag with a kameor dosing pump.
Since confirmed my trident and other tests kits are in line.

Whats the value now?

 

[tanksoftwiddy]

Whats the value now?

Last test was 1550.

 

[Saltyreef]

Ill ask again, have you tried removing the kalk to see what happens with your levels?
Have you considered a cal RX?

 

[tanksoftwiddy]

Ill ask again, have you tried removing the kalk to see what happens with your levels?
Have you considered a cal RX?

Missed that part. My ato is about empty, so I’ll clean it and get all residue and and see how that goes.
Not against a calcium RX. Just wanted all the ph boost I could get.

 

[tanksoftwiddy]

Missed that part. My ato is about empty, so I’ll clean it and get all residue and and see how that goes.
Not against a calcium RX. Just wanted all the ph boost I could get.

And thank you for all your help!

 

[Saltyreef]

And thank you for all your help!

No problem. I hate not being able to get to the root of an issue