ALK overdos

[adamsfour]

Hello, I accidentally overdosed about 1/2 gallon of my Alk dosing solution (Soda Ash) on my 115 gallon tank (~80 gallons of water). Within minutes I had a calcium precipitation. Over course of the next 4 hours I did a number of 10 gallon water changes. With the total amount changed 35 Gallons. My Alkalinity went from off scale on Hanna to around 12 now and the tank has totally cleared up. My question: will the precipitated Calcium return back solution of do I need to try and remove it via vacuum. My calcium is fine 440 and Ph is 8. I assume that because of water changes.

 

[Garf]

Hello, I accidentally overdosed about 1/2 gallon of my Alk dosing solution (Soda Ash) on my 115 gallon tank (~80 gallons of water). Within minutes I had a calcium precipitation. Over course of the next 4 hours I did a number of 10 gallon water changes. With the total amount changed 35 Gallons. My Alkalinity went from off scale on Hanna to around 12 now and the tank has totally cleared up. My question: will the precipitated Calcium return back solution of do I need to try and remove it via vacuum. My calcium is fine 440 and Ph is 8. I assume that because of water changes.

It's just fine sand at this point and will not dissolve unless the pH gets really really low.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Bear in mind that unless the water is clear, alk and calcium tests will read false high from particles that dissolve in the test.

But if calcium is 440 ppm in clear water, and alk is 12 dKH, all is fine and you can just let alk fall slowly on its own. :)

 

[adamsfour]

Thanks, Water is totally clear and Hanna has it now close to 11.5. There is a lots of residual calcium coating the rock and frag stands. I blew it off the coral. My plan it to leave it be and on Thursday do a small water change to clean out loose material. PH and calcium are normal. Hopefully I dodge a bullet with my stupid mistake,

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks, Water is totally clear and Hanna has it now close to 11.5. There is a lots of residual calcium coating the rock and frag stands. I blew it off the coral. My plan it to leave it be and on Thursday do a small water change to clean out loose material. PH and calcium are normal. Hopefully I dodge a bullet with my stupid mistake,

Sounds like it should be ok. :)

 

[adamsfour]

Follow up question: been two days and tank is clear and coral seem fine. But, alkalinity is still higher than usually (11) and Calcium a bit lower (375). I turned off dosing for alkalinity but it still hovering high. Is this residual from the overdosing.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Follow up question: been two days and tank is clear and coral seem fine. But, alkalinity is still higher than usually (11) and Calcium a bit lower (375). I turned off dosing for alkalinity but it still hovering high. Is this residual from the overdosing.

Likely yes. Stop alk dosing and boost calcium back to normal with a manual correction. :)