caco3 precipitation

[Iyad Aoun]

hello,
I am adding naoh in my tank so my ph improved and is always around 8.3 or 8.4 . The rate of drops is 10ml per hour using a serum montage. As expected I have caco3 precipitation over the glass...not a problem ,but sadly it is damaging my pumps because the impellers are covered by a layer of calcium deposit,I lost 2 pumps.Is there a way to protect the pumps without having to stop adding naoh?Thank you a lot

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

hello,
I am adding naoh in my tank so my ph improved and is always around 8.3 or 8.4 . The rate of drops is 10ml per hour using a serum montage. As expected I have caco3 precipitation over the glass...not a problem ,but sadly it is damaging my pumps because the impellers are covered by a layer of calcium deposit,I lost 2 pumps.Is there a way to protect the pumps without having to stop adding naoh?Thank you a lot

Higher pH and alk promote that precipitation, as does heat. Magnesium phosphate and some organics deter it.