Brightwell Salt.
- Thread starter popeye20
- Start date
luther1200
Premium Member
Yes, but who adjust there dosing pumps or reactor every time they do a WC. If your DP or reactor is calibrated based on your salt mix you don't want to be adding a different amount each WC. So saying that the DP and reactor will just make up the difference is silly. Because the only way that would happen is if you adjusted them every WC and then what would be the point of even having them. You might as well just dose by hand if you have to adjust them every WC.
SunnyX
New member
I have been using RC for years but decided to pick up a bag of Brightwell's salt yesterday. I will do a water change today and see how my corals react. I dont do enough water changes to really comment on which salt brand is best. I dont test my water much so dont expect any testing numbers from me. 
Personally, the brand of salt I use has never made much of a difference to my setups. Then again, I only do about 20-25% water changes once a month so take in my information with a grain of salt. :lol:
Personally, the brand of salt I use has never made much of a difference to my setups. Then again, I only do about 20-25% water changes once a month so take in my information with a grain of salt. :lol:
dipan
Member
Please help, I've got a possible problem with the Brightwell salt.
I just read the first 4-5 pages of this thread and will read the rest soon. I miss the ability to view all the posts on a single "printable" page.
Anyway, I just picked up a small bag of this salt from a LFS to try. My first bag of Reef Crystals would not dissolve completely, even after 24hrs there was granular white stuff still in it. The next salt I tried is Coral Red Sea Pro salt. It dissolves better, but by 24hrs there is a white hazy precipitate on the walls of the bucket.
Now I'm trying the Neomarine and when I start filling my bucket with RO/DI I usually start to put the salt in. I never noticed with the other salts, but this one fizzes quite a lot and heats up the water quite a lot. Quite an exothermic reaction, whatever it is. When touched the small amount of RO/DI is very hot, like really hot tap water. I guess the fizzing could be steam! Well, this seemed unusual and I'm not sure I want to try putting that in my tank. Is that normal???
I just read the first 4-5 pages of this thread and will read the rest soon. I miss the ability to view all the posts on a single "printable" page.
Anyway, I just picked up a small bag of this salt from a LFS to try. My first bag of Reef Crystals would not dissolve completely, even after 24hrs there was granular white stuff still in it. The next salt I tried is Coral Red Sea Pro salt. It dissolves better, but by 24hrs there is a white hazy precipitate on the walls of the bucket.
Now I'm trying the Neomarine and when I start filling my bucket with RO/DI I usually start to put the salt in. I never noticed with the other salts, but this one fizzes quite a lot and heats up the water quite a lot. Quite an exothermic reaction, whatever it is. When touched the small amount of RO/DI is very hot, like really hot tap water. I guess the fizzing could be steam! Well, this seemed unusual and I'm not sure I want to try putting that in my tank. Is that normal???
Billybeau1
Premium Member
With any salt, you should always add the salt to the complete volume of water. I'm not sure what you mean by adding the salt while you are still filling your bucket with ro/di. You should only start adding the salt once the bucket is full of water. Then only about 1/2 cup per gallon.
Not sure what the fizzing or steaming is. Never experienced that.
We'll get you an answer though.
Not sure what the fizzing or steaming is. Never experienced that.
We'll get you an answer though.
dipan
Member
With any salt, you should always add the salt to the complete volume of water. I'm not sure what you mean by adding the salt while you are still filling your bucket with ro/di. You should only start adding the salt once the bucket is full of water. Then only about 1/2 cup per gallon.
Not sure what the fizzing or steaming is. Never experienced that.
We'll get you an answer though.
Thanks ... You're right, I started adding 1 cup of salt to the 5 gallon bucket when it only had half a gallon or less. I certainly won't be doing that with the Brightwell salt.
Billybeau1
Premium Member
You can't do that with any salt. 
I know it takes time but fill the bucket up completely then add your salt. You should not experience that anymore.
Good luck
I know it takes time but fill the bucket up completely then add your salt. You should not experience that anymore.
Good luck
dipan
Member
I wonder if the exothermic reaction is just from hydrating predominantly anhydrous salt(s) in the Neomarine. I managed to read the whole thread and noted that Billybeau got a higher specific gravity with the same amount of salt cups that he used with other salts. I used a bit over 2.5 cups of the Brightwell salt in a 5 gallon container and it mixed to a SG of 1.033. I was shocked. I figured it was because I miscounted the number of half cups, but I don't think I did. So I had to dilute out to 1.025.
The other salts must have more moisture in them, then, because I needed relatively more salt to get the same SG.
The other salts must have more moisture in them, then, because I needed relatively more salt to get the same SG.
luther1200
Premium Member
Thats the reason the salts aren't dissolving all way. You added to much salt to to little water and it form precipitates. And they won't dissolve after that if my understanding is correct. Not only will they not properly dissolve, but now you have locked up potentially Ca/Alk/Mg and it will most likely mess those numbers up. I would take Billybeau1's advice and only add salt after your water vessel is totally full with the amount you want.
Lets dust off a old thread.
I have just opened my first bag of the brightwell salt. It has been mixing for about an hour now. I can post my readings on it if anyone still cares. I mix my salt a week prior to me using it. So I have lots of time for the Alk to come down after a few days if that is true. I don't have any SPS to speak of in my tank.
Let me know.
I have just opened my first bag of the brightwell salt. It has been mixing for about an hour now. I can post my readings on it if anyone still cares. I mix my salt a week prior to me using it. So I have lots of time for the Alk to come down after a few days if that is true. I don't have any SPS to speak of in my tank.
Let me know.
I'm not sure what you mean, but I admit I didn't read this whole thread. The alk will not drop in a mixing container, only in a tank where there is some demand.
I didn't know that. It was suggested eairler in the thread that the salt will drop in ALK after 24-48 hours. Something like that.
Page 8 it is mentioned.
luther1200
Premium Member
I wouldn't mind seeing your test numbers if you feel like posting them.
I am very sorry, I use the cheap test kits. I am using API right now.
I mixed 460 grams of salt in 3 gallons of RO/DI water and got a 1.031 on my refacto.
PH-8.4
KH-9.5,10 It just wasn't there with 9 drops.
Cal-480
I don't have a Mag test right now.
These numbers are after about 2 hours of mixing. I will test again tomorrow if you folks would like.
You mean this from, page 8
I think the longer it mixes the lower the alk will go. If you test it right after you mix it I think you will get 11dkh....If you let it mix for 24 to 48 hours it will be lower..
Well, yes as the pH of fresh mixes is usually high in pH. Thus, there will be some formation of CaCO3 in the bottom of the container. Thus, there will be slight drop in the Ca++ and CO3-- , thus the Alk drops a tad. Not an issie to worry about. Almost any container will show some precip. After months of use if you do not clean it you will see lots.
I think the longer it mixes the lower the alk will go. If you test it right after you mix it I think you will get 11dkh....If you let it mix for 24 to 48 hours it will be lower..
Well, yes as the pH of fresh mixes is usually high in pH. Thus, there will be some formation of CaCO3 in the bottom of the container. Thus, there will be slight drop in the Ca++ and CO3-- , thus the Alk drops a tad. Not an issie to worry about. Almost any container will show some precip. After months of use if you do not clean it you will see lots.
homeboyreefer
New member
i've used a bunch of brightwell products, not dogging them or anything, but the literature on the bottles are really how can i say, deceptive, extraordinary claims, i think meant to arouse the minds of inexperienced reefers. I would take anything they say with a grain of salt, No pun intended, or is there?
No pun intended, or is there?
