pitabread

I've been having issues with a white precipitate forming on the surface of the water for quite some time now. I'm also having what appears to be calcium deficiencies.

Right now I'm dosing using the EI method. It's a 48 gallon tank and I dose 1/2 tsp of KNO3 and 1/8 tsp of KPO4 every other day. And on the other days, I dose 1/8 tsp of chelated trace mix.

I've read that potassium and iron can react and precipiate, which is why I dose the two chemicals on opposite days. The precipitate I'm getting mainly occurs after I dose the KNO3 and KPO4. It seems to gradually build through the week until I do a 50% at the end of the week. Then the whole thing begins again.

It's been awhile since I've tested my tap water, but in the past it's been very soft (GH/KH of 3-4 from what I remember). Starting this week, I'm going to use Seachem Equilibrium to attempt to bolster the water's mineral content. I've also been adding 1/2 cap of Seachem Flourish with the trace mix since it apparently contains calcium and magnesium.

Any thoughts on this?

bradac56

Your right soft water can lead to the calcium issue, if it was me I'd probably go with egg shells or crushed coral to raise the calcium/pH but then I also keep snails so I'm a bit biased.

- Brad

abcemorse

If it's a kinda filmy white layer it could be a protein film. Often times increased surface agitation can help alleviate that. I ran into when I kept discus cuz they like such a protein rich diet. Went away after a while with good surface ripple.