Calcium deposit on heaters. Is this normal?
- Thread starter npage
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hatessushi
Active Member
That usually happens if there has been a calcium precipitation even in your tank. Is it on the pumps and other equipment also?
hatessushi
Active Member
One situation in which calcium carbonate can precipitate involves adding calcium carbonate seed crystals of some type to seawater. In many cases, this action will initiate precipitation of calcium carbonate (and magnesium as well). This precipitation typically does not proceed until all of the supersaturation is gone, but is stopped by some other processes.
A second situation where precipitation takes place is if the supersaturation is pushed to unusually high levels. This can be caused by a rise in pH, a rise in temperature (discussed below), or more obviously, by a rise in either calcium or carbonate.
My guess is that maybe the heater has run for a long period of time instead of on and off over and over. Or, if you added a buffer and the pH rose quickly but mostly unlikely since it's only on your heater. So, my first guess is probably correct. Just brush off the calcium.
A second situation where precipitation takes place is if the supersaturation is pushed to unusually high levels. This can be caused by a rise in pH, a rise in temperature (discussed below), or more obviously, by a rise in either calcium or carbonate.
My guess is that maybe the heater has run for a long period of time instead of on and off over and over. Or, if you added a buffer and the pH rose quickly but mostly unlikely since it's only on your heater. So, my first guess is probably correct. Just brush off the calcium.
