Mixing Salt Water

[M Stump]

I have used those blue plastic containers that the Dollor Stores sales to mix my salt water in. After a month or two the inside of the container gets a white film on it. I usually just go buy another container.

What else do you guys suggest and where would I buy one. I usually mix no more than 10 gallons at a time.

 

[cilyjr]

i mix my salt in a 40 gallon tank that is plumbed into my system.
this white film is from what do you think?
do you use ro water? is it possible that it is a hard water stain?

 

[Palting]

Any food grade tub should do. Maybe even non-food grade, since most of us keep our RODI water in a plastic garbage bin anyway. I got my tubs for mixing from Walmart.

BTW, I get a white film as well if I leave my saltwater mixing for more than 24 hours. I now let it mix and aerate for no more than 12 hours, no film. I use Reef Crystals.

 

[Fish4Me2]

The white film is pretty common in my experience. Just wipe the mixing tub/barrel out with vinegar after using it, rinse well, and you should be good to go. I've never had issues following that practice.

 

[muppet]

I use a Rubbermaid Brute for my RODI and another for my mixing. They are food grade.

 

[Konadog]

I mix and change 55 gallons at a time and always get a white/grey residue that sticks to the sides of the mixing barrel and pump. I just wash the pump and barrel out after each batch.

 

[devilsthird]

I use a Rubbermaid Brute for my RODI and another for my mixing. They are food grade.

I do the same and recently found out that Home Depot's buckets are the same grade as the buckets sea salt is shipped in. However, they are not food grade.

http://virtualweberbullet.com/plastics.html#foodgrade

 

[dogstar74]

one thing to try is, if you are adding water to salt, then try adding the salt to the water. That way there isn't a huge concentration of ca at the beginning which would tend to create insoluble precipitates. Just a thought. I suppose most people begin with a bucket of water and add the salt to it, but the theory is sound.
Aaron

 

[M Stump]

I add the salt to the water. I do use RO water. I always wash the container out before and after. I usually mix for about 3 days with a heater and a power head.
Just wanted to make sure it wasn't hurting anything.

 

[DLANDINO]

dogstar74 is correct. These deposits are calcium and other trace elements meant for your tank and not the sides of your mixing vessel. That said, I get them too and if I could practice what I preach I would mix my salt more slowly over the course of time to eventually get the entire container up to 1.026. This will allow the salt to dissolve and not cake. But who has time for that?

 

[Korrine]

I researched this awhile ago and found out it's quite common. I get it in the bottom of my Brute. I clean it ever few months.