AWC storage issue

[hkgar]

I mix my AWC water in a 32 gallon Brute using RO/DI water and mix with a Sicce 4.0 pump and use a Maxi Jet to keep it moving. About 3 gallons per day is changed. The storage container is kept covered at all times except when checking level.

The container and the pumps are becoming covered with, what appears to be an algae film.




Any ideas what it is and more importantly, what is the cause and how to eliminate it? Possibly mold?

My current plan is to allow it to become empty and then wash down with either a water and vinegar solution or a water and bleach solution.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[username in use]

Do you use Reef Crystals?

 

[hkgar]

No, I use Red Sea Salt Mix

 

[PhaneSoul]

When my maxijet began shorting it would cause the same thing, some kindve precip from the voltage leak. Got a new pump (after the old one gave me a nice tingle) and my water stopped developing a brown film to it.

The next thing i would look into is nutrients in your 'new water', bacteria could be using them and /or the nutrients leeching from the brute can and the brown is a bacterial film.

And then precip from the salt mix being improper.

 

[hkgar]

When my maxijet began shorting it would cause the same thing, some kindve precip from the voltage leak. Got a new pump (after the old one gave me a nice tingle) and my water stopped developing a brown film to it.

Never would have thought of that, but I just did a voltage check, and, yup, had a big voltage leak with the maxi jet. Checked the Sicce and it also has a voltage leak, although much smaller.

What do you think might be the best way to clean it all up?

 

[Tweaked]

No, I use Red Sea Salt Mix

Yea, I had this happen with their salt every time. Switched to AquaForest and it hasn't happened yet. Haven't even wiped out container in weeks.

 

[reefwiser]

Red sea salt is not recommend to be mixed constantly just as The probio version of Aquaforest should not be held after mixing. Both companies have videos on YouTube explaining this.
I use a large round air stone to mix my salt due to the powerhead issue. Learned this many years ago. Small power head leak voltage bad after a few years in salt water.

 

[jerseypete]

Red sea salt is not recommend to be mixed constantly just as The probio version of Aquaforest should not be held after mixing. Both companies have videos on YouTube explaining this.
I use a large round air stone to mix my salt due to the powerhead issue. Learned this many years ago. Small power head leak voltage bad after a few years in salt water.

I've seen this posted before. But what is the difference in the tank. I have more flow in my tank then in mixing barrel

 

[reefwiser]

Don't understand your question

 

[hkgar]

Don't understand your question

He is asking why it is ok to continue to "mix" the water in the tank with a circulating pump like a Mag 7 but it is wrong to continue to "mix" the water in the AWC storage tank? It really does not seem logical that one is ok and the other is not.

 

[username in use]

They claim that the levels of CAL/ALK/MAG are so high that if circulated in a bare tank and the temperature raised that eventually it will precipitate out of the water.

 

[reefwiser]

Ok when the salt is first mixed the calcium and alk are separate elements in the dry mix. When you over mix the will bind together and fall out of solution. Why you get a milky salt mix some times. You want the water to be clean once you have mixed the salt into your container.