Calcium Carbonate Part II

[MikeS]

Hi all

A few more calcium carbonate questions....

First....will calcium carbonate in the tank interfere with calcium test results?

Second, how "bioavailable" is calcium carbonate? Once it has formed in the tank, how long will it stay in that form? Will it ever degrade into a more usefull form?

MikeS

 

[MikeS]

hmmm.....no guesses?

MikeS

 

[cwcross]

Mike,

Precipitated Calcium Carbonate will not show up or interfere with your calcium test results. Any solid lime in your tank is not bioavailable.

However, the solid lime in your tank is in "equilibrium" with the lime dissolved in the water. If the solution concentration of CO2, Ca, pH and temperature/pressure ever get to such a point (unlikely though in your reef tank to happen fast), the solid lime will dissolve into the water to re-establish equilibrium.

the best example of this is that aragonite gravel will slowly dissolve over time and acts as a "buffer" in your tank. Also similar is a calcium reactor. The media in a calcium reactor dissolves in the presence of excess CO2 to release Ca and Alk (Kalk) into your water.

Solid and solution forms of any salt will always equilibrate according to their equilibrium constants. These are dictated by thermodynamic factors and differ for each and ever compound.

Sorry it took so long to reply. Its been crazy at work lately....hope this helps...sincerely...Collin

 

[MikeS]

No problem....thanks!

MikeS

 

[tony]

I dont know much about calcium carbonate sorry