Help, Tank Cloudy - Precipitation?

[hilde123]

I have had my 150 gallon reef tank (about 220 gallons total water)up an running for about 4-6 months all levels have been right on for the last 4 mos except calcium always seemed to be a little low. I am running a geo calcium reactor which to my understanding should maintain calcium but I may need to use a supplement to get it up to the required level. I added Kent calcium at the recommended dosage and used up the the 4oz bottle. About 2 weeks ago I purchased an 8 oz bottle of Seachem Reef calcium and have been dosing it at the recommeded dose 1 capful per 20 gallons twice a week. My calcium level got upto 350 after I finished the kent bottle and as tested 2 nights ago is 400 (Red Sea Calcium Test Kit). After adding another dose 2 nights ago, the tank has become cloudy and stayed cloudy for 2 days. My tank chemistry is as follows:

PH 8.1-8.2
Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 0
Iodine = .03
Magnesium = 1000
Calcium 400
Alkalnity 6.5
Phosphate = 0
ORP = 402

Do I have a calcium/alkalinity imbalance that is causing the calcium to precipitate? Am I using the improper additive to increase my calcium level? Is the red sea test kit reliable? What do I need to do to correct the problem? Thanks for the help

[bertoni]

Reef Calcium contains polygluconate, which is a carbon source and might be stimulating a bacterial bloom. I stopped dosing that product for that reason. A calcium chloride supplement like Kent Turbo Calcium or Reef Complete might be safer.

What is the unit of measurement for alkalinity? Is that dKH? If so, it's rather low. For meq/L, it's rather high. The Reef Complete might be acting as an alkalinity supplement, which is another issue with that product.

[hilde123]

The 6.5 is meq/L , if it is infact an algae bloom, what do I need to do to remove the algae, will my ozonizer get it everntually along with the skimmer?

[oct2274]

your mag level is way low. i can almost guarantee that calcium is precipitating with a level that low. Try to up it to around 1300-1350

[bertoni]

Given that level of alkalinity and the low magnesium, I agree that the white cloud might be calcium carbonate precipitation. I'd stop dosing any alkalinity supplement, including pH buffers and the Reef Calcium, and letting the alkalinity drop. If any animals look to be in trouble, some water changes should help.

If the cloud is a bacterial bloom, it should go away on its own. I'd watch the fish for signs of low oxygen, though. The ozone might help the skimmer remove nutrients.

[hilde123]

I am not adding any alk supplements or PH buffers. Do I need to turn of the calcium reactor and let alk lower? The inhabitents are 2 gobies, one clownfish, 4 clams, a carpet anemone, many SPS, LPS and sofites. Is there any inhabitents I need to watch closely, and if so what should I be looking for? Thanks

[tmz]

I would turn off the CO2 effectively stopping the dosing untill things settle down. Be sure of your tests kits the could be reading high or low.

If the fish show signs of labored breathing or stop eating you should do some water changes. If it is a precipitation event it is not likely to do too much damage although the swings in ph can be harmful. Watch the clam for gaping or pinched mantle(ie not opening fully) The coral generally exhibit stress by closing and or sliming.. If you can it may be best to just wait it out unless your animals show stress . The 6.5 meq/l or 18dhk is a concern and needs to come down.

[Boomer]

It has nothing to do with his Mg++. It is pure and simple that Alk of 6.5 meq / l is pulling out both Ca++ and Mg++. His Omega value is really high with those levels, at a 6 and that makes abiotic precip more likely. In theroy abiotic starts at a Alk of ~ 5.2 meq/L with his levels

I agree with Tom shut-off the CO2. Your internal reactor pH is to low. Do you know what it is ?

[hilde123]

Reactor PH is on a controller, set at 6.5-6.6, PH probe has been calibrated about 2 weeks ago. Effluent drip rate is about 90-120 drops per min.

[Boomer]

Raise the pH up higher to 6.6-6.8 when you restart it. Try to review these;

A Guide to Using Calcium Reactors
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-0...ture/index.htm

Calcium Reactor setup calculator (CaCO3/CO2 reactors)
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/reactor.html