leoslizards
New member
Yeah like mine. Except it's a LR only tank now. :|
A General Guide to Salt Mixes
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
Aquarist007
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15538809#post15538809 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Billybeau1
That and not everyone has reef tanks. You'd be surprised how many FOWLR's there are out there.
Still, if 35ppm is equivalent to real sea water then shouldn't the manufacturers specifications have to reflect this?
This week I bought a 200g box of Reef Crystals from DFS. I mixed 25 gallons at 35 ppt, this was checked with a refractometer calibrated with Pinpoints 53 mS fluid. Water temp 79 degrees.
I tested using a Salifert Alk kit, Salifert Mg Kit, and API Ca kit.
Results:
Ca 420
Mg 1350
Dkh 15.4
My Alk test kit is 6 months old. I have a new one coming this Tuesday and will test again. I tested the Alk during four different times of the day and the results were from 15 to 15.4 dkh.
All salts were thoroughly mixed and made in a 35g rubermaid using ro/di water testing zero tds
This morning I pulled the mixed water out of my rubbermaid and found that my mixing pump and container can were coated with a light brown, chalky film. It was on everything. Has anyone else had this happen?
The evedence seems to show that I may have gotten a bad batch of Reef Crystal salt. Thoughts?
I tested using a Salifert Alk kit, Salifert Mg Kit, and API Ca kit.
Results:
Ca 420
Mg 1350
Dkh 15.4
My Alk test kit is 6 months old. I have a new one coming this Tuesday and will test again. I tested the Alk during four different times of the day and the results were from 15 to 15.4 dkh.
All salts were thoroughly mixed and made in a 35g rubermaid using ro/di water testing zero tds
This morning I pulled the mixed water out of my rubbermaid and found that my mixing pump and container can were coated with a light brown, chalky film. It was on everything. Has anyone else had this happen?
The evedence seems to show that I may have gotten a bad batch of Reef Crystal salt. Thoughts?
rigleautomotive
Premium Member
Billybeau1
Premium Member
The material you are seeing has not been a problem for most. If it is collecting on your mixing container, then it is not going into the tank.
Even if a little does, I doubt it is a concern. This opinion is based on reading many threads about this problem.
Even if a little does, I doubt it is a concern. This opinion is based on reading many threads about this problem.
I called DFS to ask them what the best action to take is. Customer support, at DFS, spoke to their internal technical person. They have experienced this same type of problem before with RC, but only in boxes made earlier this year. They are going to send me a new batch of salt, at no additional charge (which I requested they send me Red Sea Coral pro instead of the RC) and they have asked me to send them a sample of the RC salt for them to test.
After I tested the salt mix for the 7th time, the dkh is still very high at 15.
We all work so hard to get our reefs looking so good and I would hate to have something happen, no matter how small a chance it might be. Thanks for the help.
After I tested the salt mix for the 7th time, the dkh is still very high at 15.
We all work so hard to get our reefs looking so good and I would hate to have something happen, no matter how small a chance it might be. Thanks for the help.
tyleratl
New member
I have been using Coralife and recently decided to switch to the new Reef Crystals in order to get the higher alkalinity. Coralife has been great but the alk is on the low side. I can never seem to get my tank above 7 dKH. The PH is usually 8.0. I thought that the new RC would be the answer. So, I ordered a bag and mixed up a 50/50 blend of RC/Coralife. I then noticed the brown film scattered in a few places inside my container. This had never happened before with 100% Coralife. Anyway, I measured the calcium and alkalinity of the combined blend at 35 ppm. The calcium was 520 and the alkalinity was 9 dKH.
I will probably not buy another bag of RC. I like my salt pure.
Billybeau1
Premium Member
I would expect your alkalinity is a little higher mixing those two salts.
As I said before, I doubt the film you are all seeing is a concern.
As I said before, I doubt the film you are all seeing is a concern.
subman719
Member
I just switched from Tropic Marin Pro Reef to the new Reef Crystals too and mixed up my first batch today. I also noticed the brown film such as I have in the past with Coralife and Red Sea. I just consider it a "natural byproduct" since the real ocean leaves brown foam on the shores anyway! I'm guessing that as long as everything lives and thrives, it's not a problem! I guess I'll see! LOL
Rickyrooz1
Acropora Nut
Billybeau1, will you be testing the new Brightwell salt?
I got my new Bucket of Red Sea Coral pro salt to replace the Reef Crystals. DFS is sending me something to put some of the RC salt in for them to test.
The picture below is of my rubbermaid trash can. Is this what others are seeing after they mix RC? My rubermaid was clean before I mixed the salt.
The picture below is of my rubbermaid trash can. Is this what others are seeing after they mix RC? My rubermaid was clean before I mixed the salt.
Aquarist007
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15565845#post15565845 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ehutchby
I got my new Bucket of Red Sea Coral pro salt to replace the Reef Crystals. DFS is sending me something to put some of the RC salt in for them to test.
The picture below is of my rubbermaid trash can. Is this what others are seeing after they mix RC? My rubermaid was clean before I mixed the salt.
the brown precipitate on the bottom---the sides of the rubbermaid were coated with it. I did a full 42 gal water change today so I could drain the brute and then took a cloth to the sides of it----they were filthy with this precipitate.
I am wondering if it is the brute containers reacting with the different salt mixtures.
Billybeau1
Premium Member
Yes Soon.
As far as the Tunze, I can not talk about continued use, but when I tested it, I liked the way it mixed and the numbers it produces.
Aquarist007
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15566803#post15566803 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by flyyyguy
do another 20 batches in that same container without cleaning it and then you will see some nice brown stuff
I asked a few posts ago about tunze. Anyone have any experience with this stuff??
I know it doesn't harm a thing but I sure would like to know why it is happening.
I have side by side brute containers---the one with h2oceanic is filthy---the one with Instant Ocean is squeaky clean.
Might it be happening because of the differences in alk, ca, and mag between the two mixes?
I keep very presitine conditions in my shop/lab as we always did when I taught in highschool labs. The "nice brown stuff IMO should be not happening---if it was happening in our tanks on the glass etc everyone would take a fit
kc350twin
New member
Have you contacted Deltec on the brown residue? They take their salt very serious and will have a answer for you for sure. I use it in the same clear plastic Vittles Vault container without cleaning it and only develop a residue on the lid where the salt spray dries. I have heard of some people complaining about the residue and it being heavy.
