Precipitation???

[a&m aggie 04']

I've been in the process of moving for the last few months and my tank has taken a hit because of it. My calcium and mag levels seem to be elevated and my alk is down. I've stopped dosing the calcium part of my additive but continued to dose the alkalinity part.
The problem I'm experiencing is what i believe to be precipitation. When i dose the alk part (baking soda) it forms an unusual cloud in my tank with solid pieces in the water column (its always made the water milky but not to this extent). The next day the glass is covered with a hard white film thats not easy to remove.
I've kept a successful tank for years and have experienced alot, but not this.
Let me know how I can stop this cloud from forming and the best way to get my "levels" back on par.
Thanks,
MD

 

[bonebrake]

Are you adding the alk part too much and too fast?
If you are, in the locale that it is being added the pH sky rockets and causes the calcium in that remote area to precipitate out of the water and what you see in the water column is ultra fine calcium carbonate granules. This could be causing your carbonate to become bound to calcium and therefore your alkalinity is low and you are losing buffering capacity.

 

[tnn1567]

You should probably stop dosing for now and do a 25% water change but you get hit with a snow storm in your tank. Investing about $15.00 worth of salt and water, you could save hundred or maybe thousand of dollars.
You can use baking soda to lower your ph. If you do decide to go that route, bring it down slow. Your best chance would be doing a water change.

 

[bang guy]

I need numbers before I can give any advise.

 

[a&m aggie 04']

My calcium is off the Salifert Charts (high), my Mag is also high at around 1500. Alk is low at 5.5 (i always forget the label- but its low not high).
I've stopped dosing for now, whats the best way to my water chemistry back in check.
MD

 

[bang guy]

A series of large water changes. 25 - 50% per day every few days until levels at least register and are close enough to normal to start dosing Alk.