Kalk Question

[Cliff]

ok so I could use a little help here. I have used Kalk for a couple years now. Actually I m using the same reactor with the same amount of media and same media that was on my 40 gal Zeroedge (that tank used/evaporated way more water than this one) and my zero edge never had a problem. It always maintained 9-10 dhk and 400 calc.
Now I switch that reactor onto my current system which has 8x water volume and 100x the corals and I am having problems with my alt spiking. Tested today and system is 10.5 -11 dhk and calc is up to 450. Because of this I have lost some more sticks I don't get it; Kalk is the only thing I m dosing how is it raising alk that high?

 

[Cliff]

Here is a video.

 

[Cliff]

Here is a pic of my reactor and my over full Frag tank.
I would think with that much monti cap it would be almost too much for Kalk
But instead my levels are going up

 

[AdInfinitum]

Any changes to your Mg dosing/levels?

 

[Cliff]

All I do is Kalk I don't dose otherwise.
And as far a Kalk in the reactor; it's a bit low actually. I should put in another half a cup to put it back to where it usually is

 

[AdInfinitum]

Abnormally supersaturated CA and Alk levels (assuming testing accuracy) either involve high Mg or abnormally low ph (possible in a newer setup). Normally ph is irrelevant as established systems with good dkh are well buffered, but balanced levels well beyond normal super-saturation (@ph 8.2ish) would make checking worthwhile...if ph is acceptable, then high Mg is the next place to look. Kalk can't force calcium and carbonate to stay in solution and if Kalk was excessive it would raise ph and start spontaneous precipitation so kind of self regulating...

 

[Kman]

If you have an imbalance of Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium it can cause this issue for sure. The best way to fix this is do a few small water changes over a few days and then test. Redo if necessary. This will allow the ratio to adjust and allow the corals time to adjust minimizing shock. I think your first order of business is getting the ratio in balance and going from there after. Because if it was balanced you would not just have an ALK spike. This is what I would do on my tank in a situation like this.

I would red the following article for more information on Kalk as it has a lot of information in it and is a good source of info.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm

 

[Skim]

Have you checked your Salt. Could the salt batch be a little different or hit a spot in the salt that was not so well mixed. In the end your tank does not seem to be in distress and those numbers are fine. You also said that set up on this system it does not kick in as much so the water in the reactor will sit much longer which would give the water a better chance to become supersaturated which would put more Cal in your system. Have you noticed if your PH is a little higher in this system then the last one?

 

[Cliff]

Yeah pH is a bit higher in this system. I did recently switched back to instant Ocean reef crystals so maybe I should do some testing. I tested my magnesium last night and it is a bit high I am running around 1350 to 1400 so maybe I should dial back back a bit.

 

[Skim]

Let's see a dkh of 9 to 10 before, you were using what D&D or Red Sea. I bet its just from switching to RC and from water changes it has finally hit its settling point. Numbers are good, I assume everything is fine you are just wondering where the change has come from, and if I was a betting Man I would put it on the Salt.