having some weird issues with Reef Crystals salt....

[Pufferpunk]

Natural seawater is 1.027, I believe. Heard back from our scientist after he read this thread:

"Fun thread! I think I would be on the same wavelength as jdieck's post on 3/6. I would suspect residual contamination as the main culprit, but whether bacteral, algal, or simple physical (clay fines) would be harder to pin down. Also agree with those pushing against light exposure during mixing and storage or aeration. Light exposure and evaporation are the enemy - both from contamination and energy input. I get diatoms in my aging vessels rouitinely (fine with me, it ties up the silicates in the water before I use it). Ditto mineral films as a meniscus crust, less fine as they can flake and take up residence in the bottom of the container for possible recycling (which diatom shell silicates do not do).

The richer salt mixes such as RC may well produce more issues - they are richer in specific materials for a reason. But I suspect that the real issue is vessel and equipment upkeep, not the mix used.

One Oxiclean warning for those using submerse mixers or pumping - never submerge any metal in Oxiclean, even stainless. You will get metal oxides into the water and corode the metal fittings. Ceramic impeller shafts are OK."

 

[Naperville Reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9407800#post9407800 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pufferpunk
But I suspect that the real issue is vessel and equipment upkeep, not the mix used.

my only problem with this statement is that once i switched to TM i no longer had the redish film issue. same vessel, same equipment. prior to switching salt the only cleaning i did was a quick rinse with tap water, which is what i have always done.

so, imo, there certainly is something different with the RC salt. but what that is, good or bad, i have no idea......

 

[nmprisons]

It is approximately 1.025 according to the reefs.org survey

 

[Pufferpunk]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9407871#post9407871 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Naperville Reef
my only problem with this statement is that once i switched to TM i no longer had the redish film issue. same vessel, same equipment. prior to switching salt the only cleaning i did was a quick rinse with tap water, which is what i have always done.

so, imo, there certainly is something different with the RC salt. but what that is, good or bad, i have no idea......

Folks are finding this problem with some other brands of salt too though, including TM.

 

[Naperville Reef]

i can only go by my personal experience. one salt produces a redish slime and one does not, both mixed the same way for the same amount of time using the same equipment. without a question there is something different in the RC than the TM.

plus the overwhelming majority are having issues with RC and it is hard to say that someone using TM is having the same problems as someone using RC unless they examine it side by side.

 

[TheGrog]

I used RC and had this problem for over a year. Went from 5 gal buckets to a black rubbermaid with the same film problem.

I don't buy the bacteria overgrowth as there was no light provided and equipment was cleaned and dried after each batch.

Also, this problem was not present for the first 1-1/2 years of using RC mix but developed the last 6 months of me using it, and getting progressively worse.

I also found that the film did not develop right away but over time.

I switched brands to Red Sea Coral Pro and, using SAME equipment and water, the red film disappeared. I also found that my Ca levels were higher with the new salt and had to adjust my Calcium reactor down a tad.

just chiming in my experiences.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Also, this problem was not present for the first 1-1/2 years of using RC mix but developed the last 6 months of me using it, and getting progressively worse.

Agreed. I've been using RC all along, for 3 years now & this is new. Something has to be different. I really hope the makers are following this thread.

 

[pk1]

I just switched to RC-no red slime for me. I did get one heck of a white precipitation when I aerated it though. Only 1 water change so far-I'll keep my eye out on the next WC. The reason I stopped using TM pro-it burned the heck out of my skin. Newly mixed. No idea why, but RC does not.

 

[prugs]

I just mixed a 40+ gal batch of RC from a new bucket from DF&S. I had no scum on the top of the water, like in times past. I had my fine net out ready to skim the stuff off, no scum!

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9410264#post9410264 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pk1
I just switched to RC-no red slime for me. I did get one heck of a white precipitation when I aerated it though. Only 1 water change so far-I'll keep my eye out on the next WC. The reason I stopped using TM pro-it burned the heck out of my skin. Newly mixed. No idea why, but RC does not.

pk1:
If you did not supplemented the new mix I will sugest you check your refractometer or hydrometer for testing error, without supplementation the precipitation might suggest too high of a salinity.

 

[Lilrascal]

Hello, I have noticed the same thing. I live in SE Wisconsin. I just set up a 14 gal Biocube. I mixed a batch of Reef Crystals to fill my tank. I had several gallons left over, and I let it sit in a 5 gal pail with a lid. I noticed after a week it had a brown sediment in the bucket. Then I ran across this thread (in search of good fish.coral stores in northern IL, so any suggestions feel free to PM me).

So I pull my heater from my rear chamber, and this same type brown film is on it, and rubs off onto my hands. What should I do. I am considering switching brands if that would help. To bad I bought the big pail when F&S had their sale. I am using RO/DI water which tests at 0 TDS.

Anybody have any new information???

 

[jdieck]

If you are not having real algae blooms or similar problems I would not worry about the brown film.
Chances are snails can't get into the chamber to dispose of normal diatoms and such, If your rear chamber recieves light try covering it with some black plastic as well as the back of the tank (if transparent) to prevent light in the chamber, this keeps the chamber and equipment in it fairly clean.

 

[JellyTheory]

Have you received any updates from Bob at Marineland?

Thanks!

-Chris

 

[Lilrascal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9438193#post9438193 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jdieck
If you are not having real algae blooms or similar problems I would not worry about the brown film.
Chances are snails can't get into the chamber to dispose of normal diatoms and such, If your rear chamber recieves light try covering it with some black plastic as well as the back of the tank (if transparent) to prevent light in the chamber, this keeps the chamber and equipment in it fairly clean.

But that doesn't explain the brown sediment in the mixing bucket.......

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9441898#post9441898 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lilrascal
But that doesn't explain the brown sediment in the mixing bucket.......

As I mentioned before given the way salt is extracted (evaporated seawater or via injected dilution then cristalsed there is always traces of dirt and clay.
I have got the same stuf with IO, Kent, Oceanic, RC, TM and TM pro.
Some seem to have more than others but if ou skimm the new mixed water you will find all of them has it in some degree or another.

 

[Lilrascal]

Thanks,

That makes me feel a little better then.

 

[TheGrog]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9438193#post9438193 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jdieck
If you are not having real algae blooms or similar problems I would not worry about the brown film.
Chances are snails can't get into the chamber to dispose of normal diatoms and such, If your rear chamber recieves light try covering it with some black plastic as well as the back of the tank (if transparent) to prevent light in the chamber, this keeps the chamber and equipment in it fairly clean.

When I was having this problem with RC, I did get massive green hair algae blooms. I switched salt brands and algae went away. Could not pinpoint any other cause. Did regular water changes, have a phosphate reactor, good skimming, not overfeeding, good water circ, zero ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phos, silicates.

The only thing I can attribute the bloom to is the salt mix.

I find that my calcium levels are better with Red Sea Coral Pro salt mix anyway! Mixes better too!! Costs about the same so my switch is perminant.

I will miss the good RC buckets though!!! Great when tank moving time comes!

 

[Pufferpunk]

What container does the Red Sea Coral Pro come in?

 

[TheGrog]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9443398#post9443398 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pufferpunk
What container does the Red Sea Coral Pro come in?

I buy it by the 5 gallon bucket, but unlike the RC (which has the nice screw on top to their buckets) the RSCP bucket has a snap-on lid that is a pain to get on and off.

They do, however, have a seperate plastic bag inside to keep the salt very dry and powdery. Also has a reusable zip-tie-like closure. Nice touch IMO.

 

[prugs]

Here's the latest 40gal batch of RC I mixed up. Came from the middle of the same bucket used earlier.