Calcium precipitation

[kwan]

Yesterday I made my routine SW mix with Reef Crystal salt as I normally do to 1.009 for hyposalinity treatment. I then added Kent Marine Superbuffer-dkH to buffer the pH. This is the first time I used Kent for my SW mix. I have been using Seachem until it ran out. I normally dose Kent directly to my main tank. I then leave the SW to aerate. A few hours later, the SW has gone very cloudy and appears to be calcium precipitation. There is a very fine layer of white powdery stuff covering my PH and heater.

My questions are:

1) Why would calcium precipitation take place when I am only mixing to a SG of 1.009? Calcium should be pretty low at this SG and should not precipitate.

2) This seems to be a problem with Kent and not Seachem. Am I using Kent correctly for SW mix?

3) Can I still use the SW if calcium has precipitated?

 

[reefrunner69]

1) Why would calcium precipitation take place when I am only mixing to a SG of 1.009? Calcium should be pretty low at this SG and should not precipitate.

The buffer which is an alk buffer, raised the alk and ph high enough to precipitate the CA out of solution, more than likely it was the timing, it did it to quickly.

You should be able to use the SW, but I would probably mix up a new batch and buffer slowly.