Alk/Ca Inbalance

ok, so tested the water in our display tank today and got readings of

Ca 480
Alk 2.9 Meq/L
Mg 1300
ph 8.4

When I add the Alkalinity portion of a 2 part product the solution turns into tiny particles. Obviously the Ca and Alk are not balanced. What action or inaction should I take?
8)

 

Once you kick the Dkh up to 4.5 to 5.0 you will see the calcium fall off a bit that Ca has gotten on top and is suppressing the Carbonates , Mag is a tad low get that to 1400 ,

 

with a pH of 8.4 if you add dKH or a buffer your going to percipitate out. if your pH was lower i would suggest bumping the dKH but for now if you bump the Mg up around 1500 that should buffer Ca and dKH better. other than that i wouldnt do anything until the Ca drops on its own. try and figure out your dKH consumption rate.

what products are you using? i.e. test kits, dosing, reactor, and so on. they might have a part to this. also how soon after did you test after the products dosing?

 

I dosed this morning around 7 and then tested around 5:00 this evening. I am using B-ionic supplements and Salifert test kits...Should I just not dose for a few days? Everything in the tank looks good and the Coralline is growing like crazy, back of the tank is completely encrusted and the sides would be if I didn't scrape...
Thanks, Guru...8)

 

sounds like things are going good for ya, if you up the Mg and let the Ca drop on its own that will bring things within specs a little better. then after that if you want to raise the Ca and dkH you can do so, but its not needed. the trick is finding out the dKH consumption rate of the tank, wait 48hrs inbetween dosing to find it out. then just figure out how much your dosing to match what you had prior.

 

Sounds like a great idea, guru...I will wait before dosing and then get a point of reference...

 

if your not sure its the only way to know, test Mg, Ca, dKH in 48 hrs to get an idea what the consumption rates are, and go from there.