Aragonite Clumping

[jwreffner]

If dosing with Marine Buffer continually will it tend to clump aragonite in a similar fasion that Kalk will? Does the same apply to Reef Builder and Reef Builder?

Thanks,
Jay

[Tech Support CH]

The clumping you are describing is a result of an ionic imbalance.

Of the calcium supplements, Kalkwasser tends to be the one that people have the most trouble with. The reason this occurs is because of the high pH (encourages precipitation) and the fact that it can be a potentially uniary supplement (adding both calcium and alkalinity in certain circumstances).

The use of Reef Buffer, Reef Builder or Reef Carbonate along with Reef Complete or Reef Advantage Calcium allows the hobbyist to effectively and easily achieve more desirable results. As long you follow some simple guidelines you should be fine. Always test first and add only as necessary, and don't add a calcium and alkalinity supplement within a few hours of each other.

I find that if I test the alkalinity on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and the calcium on Tuesday and Thursday my system does well. Eventually you will learn how much of each your reef consumes in a week and than you can back off a bit on the testing. If you raise your alkalinity or your calcium too high, you will cause a precipitation that can clump up your aragonite. A precipitation may also occur if your magnesium concentration is low.

[jwreffner]

Well that is very interesting. Here are my parameters:

pH: 8.1
Alk: 4.0
Calcium: 225

I have used Marine Buffer continually (being dosed in the fresh water top off) over the past several months to keep pH up. I do see a little bit of clumping inspite of the semi-low pH. Would raising the CA help?

Thanks,
Jay

[jwreffner]

Also, I forgot to mention that I do not know what my Magnesium nor Strontium is as I do not test for them. Should I?

Jay

[Tech Support CH]

Based off your aquarium parameters I would recommend that you test the magnesium (some pet stores will do it for free). Your calcium is low and your alkalinity is right on target. You can push one of these levels a bit higher without causing a precipitation as long as your magnesium is not low. I maintain my tanks at 380-400 mg/L of calcium and a alkalinity of 4.5-5.0 meq/L. If your magnesium is indeed low I would also test some freshly made saltwater to see if its a deficiency in your salt of if its just in your tank. The best fix is to simply do several water changes.

Also it is good to have some sand stirring critters in the tank, to keep it from getting compacted. Many people don't test for Magnesium or strontium. Regular water changes and supplements that have added magnesium and strontium (like our Reef Complete and Reef Advantage Calcium) will help as long as your tank is not packed full of corals. I would recommend you test if your tank is full of corals.