Negative impact after second DIY "coral snow" (Calcium carbonate) dosing

[Yehuda Dana]

Hi all,

I noticed the following negative impacts, on two of my SPS frags (all other seems to be just great), after the second dose (was dosing once in 4-5 days):
1. Body tissue seems to be thinner
2. Base (crusting) area have a "dry look"

Is it due to pH spikes? KH spikes?

KH level get a bit higher (was 8.2-8.4. Now it is 8.6)

Obviously, I stopped dosing it.
Anything I can do to improve the situation now?

 

[chipchipbro]

I doubt this is caused by a KH spike.
However in my understading Coral Snow should not affect Alk in any way.

I would say the reason is not the coral snow.

But I also dont know what CaCO3 you have used to mix your own coral snow.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Hi all,

I noticed the following negative impacts, on two of my SPS frags (all other seems to be just great), after the second dose (was dosing once in 4-5 days):
1. Body tissue seems to be thinner
2. Base (crusting) area have a "dry look"

Is it due to pH spikes? KH spikes?

KH level get a bit higher (was 8.2-8.4. Now it is 8.6)

Obviously, I stopped dosing it.
Anything I can do to improve the situation now?

Adding calcium carbonate does not raise pH or alkalinity, so you can certainly rule those out as a concern.

If there is any particulate calcium carbonate in the water sample used for alk testing, it will read falsely high as those particles will dissolve in the test (but not in the bulk tank water).

 

[Yehuda Dana]

Thank you, Randy.

So, I am still confused and in the same spot... What can cause such a thing to my frags?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thank you, Randy.

So, I am still confused and in the same spot... What can cause such a thing to my frags?

What material did you use?

 

[Yehuda Dana]

What material did you use?

CaCO3, c.p grade

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

CaCO3, c.p grade

cp?

 

[Yehuda Dana]

cp

Chemical Pure (not food grade)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I don’t recognize that grade as having any particular meaning, but I’m also not claiming impurities caused the issue.

 

[Yehuda Dana]

Thank you Randy

 

[timry2]

I would only use the food grade just to be on the safe side

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thank you Randy

You're welcome.

Happy reefing.

 

[Viper0419]

Sorry to pull out an old thread. But does it affect calcium level since we are adding in calcium carbonate.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Sorry to pull out an old thread. But does it affect calcium level since we are adding in calcium carbonate.

No. Calcium carbonate does not dissolve in seawater at any pH above around 7.7. If the solids are still suspended in the water during an alk or calcium test, it can give a false high reading when the particles dissolve in the test itself.

 

[Browser]

Adding calcium carbonate does not raise pH or alkalinity, so you can certainly rule those out as a concern.

If there is any particulate calcium carbonate in the water sample used for alk testing, it will read falsely high as those particles will dissolve in the test (but not in the bulk tank water).

I tried this method for a couple of months. Based on your description above, i have the following question.

I always have a very similar reading between my Trident and Hanna ALK test.
Since i started this method, i see much difference. Trident is still reading "normal" values, but the Hanna ALK test shows significally higher ones.
Could these be the case of what you described above ? Could this be because Trident has filter in the inlet of the sample water ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I tried this method for a couple of months. Based on your description above, i have the following question.

I always have a very similar reading between my Trident and Hanna ALK test.
Since i started this method, i see much difference. Trident is still reading "normal" values, but the Hanna ALK test shows significally higher ones.
Could these be the case of what you described above ? Could this be because Trident has filter in the inlet of the sample water ?

If here is suspended calcium carbonate in the sample, then the final pH of the titration (and how long one waits near the endpoint) may impact how much of the suspended particles dissolve and may lead to differences between full normal alk tests that are done by titration and a test like the Hanna which is not and may end at a different pH and take a different amount of time.

 

[Browser]

If here is suspended calcium carbonate in the sample, then the final pH of the titration (and how long one waits near the endpoint) may impact how much of the suspended particles dissolve and may lead to differences between full normal alk tests that are done by titration and a test like the Hanna which is not and may end at a different pH and take a different amount of time.

Thank you for your reply.

I make measurements one week after the coral snow "bath".
Is it possible for suspended particles to be present in the water after one week ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I don’t know. It depends on hiw fine they are. But they may all be gone by them.

Discrepancies between tests is a common frustration in this hobby.