Kalkwasser overdose problem

[Dolomiteclay]

So I recently got a pH controller and I would notice that the pH would drop down to around 8 or even 7.9 at times at night, and it was only getting up to 8.2 during the day. My corals were doing fine and so were the fish, but I was trying to get it up to around 8.3. So I figured that I would increase my kalkwasser dosage. (I was using around 1 teaspoon/gal.) I increased to two teaspoons yesterday when I refilled the reservoir and it seemed like all was going well. I walk over to the tank today and notice that everyone is acting strange. The freaking wanter was at 8.98. I did around a 30% water change and removed all the water from the reservoir. Its down to about 8.7 now and I'll do another change later if it doesn't keep dropping. A lesson learned on a little too much tinkering on my part today, and probably too much of an increase at that.

 

[Anonymous]

yeow, hope everything survives. Water changes will help. The thing to remember in this hobby is that nothing good ever happens fast in a reef tank.

 

[Dolomiteclay]

So far so good....everything seems to be ok as of now. I went on ahead and cleaned out the kalk reservoir with ro water......now I have to wait until I can make more.

 

[camaroracer214]

actually 8.2 is more natural than 8.3. just a thought, but you're pH was fine before the tinkering. even a dip just below 8 is okay short term.

 

[Dolomiteclay]

After doing more reading that seems to be the concensus. The book I have used during most of my reef building says 8.3 to 8.4, but I was fine before. Everyone seems to be doing fine today and the pH was at 8.19 this morning at 7 and is currently at 8.32. Thanks for all of the help