Precipitate questions

[tgee]

I'm starting a new tank and decided to change direction regarding sand and rock after I already mixed about 55 gallons of SW in the 65 gallon tank. Water is only in the tank and not in the sump. I have a heater and a couple of powerheads in the tank and it's been sitting with heat & flow and ambient light for a couple of weeks. A few days ago I noticed white stuff all over the glass and pumps, which I assume is precipitate. If it matters, I used a mix of Red Sea blue (to use up a small bucket) and Aquaforest Reef.

Is the water still good except that now calcium and alk may be lowered? Will carbon remove the white stuff if I blow it off the glass and pumps?

Thanks.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Carbon will not "remove" the white stuff. Some may redissolve - The rest will just settle and mix in with the rest of the system, substrate, etc. You could blow it around and some will get skimmed or mechanical filtered, etc. But again, no need.

Yes it is likely precipitate and yes it would slightly lower alk/ca or other ions. Nothing to worry about.

 

[tgee]

Thank you!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, it's pretty normal to get some precipitate from raw salt water. The alk and calcium in it is more likely to form calcium carbonate than once there are other things in it when organisms are present, such as organics, bacteria, phosphate, etc. Aside from the looks, the precipitate is not a concern unless there is so much on pump impellers that it causes them to seize up (which is why folks clean them periodically).

 

[tgee]

Thanks!