Preciptiation from Soda Ash.

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hmmm ok, I just know extra magnesium can keep it at bay. Again It's just frustrating because I ran for years exactly the same way and never had the precipitation. I'm more worried about keeping my PH up without Soda Ash.

IMO, while the magnesium effect is real, and allowing it to get onto bare surfaces is part of the strategy I posted, it's effect is not that dramatic and is not the most useful way to prevent ongoing precipitation. I think organics and phosphate in a reef tnak have equal or larger effects on precipitation.

But if you are confident in your measurement (and, for example, if it's not already on the high side) then adding magnesium is fine.

You might try your kit one some new salt water to at least gauge it that way before dosing a large amount.

 

[MichaelReefer]

IMO, while the magnesium effect is real, and allowing it to get onto bare surfaces is part of the strategy I posted, it's effect is not that dramatic and is not the most useful way to prevent ongoing precipitation. I think organics and phosphate in a reef tnak have equal or larger effects on precipitation.

But if you are confident in your measurement (and, for example, if it's not already on the high side) then adding magnesium is fine.

You might try your kit one some new salt water to at least gauge it that way before dosing a large amount.

Will do. So should I try giving it a few days and try Soda Ash again and if I get Precipitation, go to Bicarb? Again, I mainly worry about my PH dropping too low.

 

[obanarama]

I was just going to ask what your MG level is?

Also sounds like it’s could be “over saturated” and is instantly bonding when it’s hitting the water.

1268

It’s this. Get Mg over 1350 and your precipitation issues will go away. I’ve had precipitation problems twice, and both times it was because my Mg was too low - right at your level. It’s easy to dose Mg up.

 

[Biff0rz]

Roseville, MI? Howdy Neighbor!

I had the same issue, after a long time I started getting precip in the display. I had to stop dosing it upping kalk and carx output and accepting lower ph.

My Mg is also at 1400 now, and I've dosed some soda ash and didn't notice any precip.

 

[MichaelReefer]

Roseville, MI? Howdy Neighbor!

I had the same issue, after a long time I started getting precip in the display. I had to stop dosing it upping kalk and carx output and accepting lower ph.

My Mg is also at 1400 now, and I've dosed some soda ash and didn't notice any precip.

California unfortuntely haha

Yeah, I am thinking back to nearly six years ago when I had this happen in my Redsea 525xl and I think I raised the Magnesium but its been so dang long I just cant remember.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Will do. So should I try giving it a few days and try Soda Ash again and if I get Precipitation, go to Bicarb? Again, I mainly worry about my PH dropping too low.

I'd switch to bicarb at restart. It's cheap and easy to do with little hard tot eh tank, even if pH drops a bit.

 

[MichaelReefer]

I'd switch to bicarb at restart. It's cheap and easy to do with little hard tot eh tank, even if pH drops a bit.

What is the Bicarb to water ratio? I use a 1 gallon jug