Saltwater mixup tub residue ?

[mpoletti]

I have a 45 gallon tub for mixing saltwater. I usually make it up for a few days before I change the water. I sometimes add my mag flake or calcium to my water as well.

The question I have, does everyone else get that "stuff" on the bottom of their can as well. I have seen it at a few LFS, but that doesn't mean anything in my book.

I usually scrub it out using a filterpad. Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong or is this pretty common?

Thanks

 

[P.Kelly]

I high pressure hose my tub out every few water changes...

 

[mpoletti]

So Pete, you get this as well?

 

[AJPACINO23]

Way to GO mark, YOU HIT 2000 today, Whoooo hoooo!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mpoletti]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11321065#post11321065 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AJPACINO23
Way to GO mark, YOU HIT 2000 today, Whoooo hoooo!!!!!!!!!!

First of all, I would like to thank god, my family, my flamehawk and my hp laptop and of course, to MARS. I know I am leaving some people out, but please forgive me. I just never thought this day would come...

 

[bored4long]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11321102#post11321102 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Marko9
First of all, I would like to thank god, my family, my flamehawk and my hp laptop and of course, to MARS. I know I am leaving some people out, but please forgive me. I just never thought this day would come...

LMAO. That is funny.

To answer your original question: I get the same stuff. And I also try to scrub it off in between batches of saltwater. Since I am entirely new to this, its nice to know it wasn't something I was doing wrong. I mix in a 47 gallon Brute trash can.

An observation I have made while mixing my SW is that if I dump too much mix into my water at once, it doesn't dissolve as quickly and settles at the bottom. This may contribute to the chalky residue left behind.

 

[mpoletti]

I have also noticed that it mixes better when the temperature of the water is warmer.

 

[MrMikeB]

The containers are not completely sealed in such a way that would prevent a thin layer of salt to stick to it when the water evaporated. I do get it as well, but do not worry too much about it.

Congrats Mark on the 2k!

 

[yoboyjdizz]

I get this as well in one of my trash cans that i use a small pump, the other one with a stronger pump it dosent happen. It you added some strong flow in there you won't have it. I just clean my other one out when needed, no big deal.

 

[bored4long]

But whatever this residue may be, it is not in the water being added to the tank. If its just salt, ok, but what if its trace elements that you really want.

 

[funman1]

I get it on my buckets, pumps, and anything else in there..
I never clean it off and it just starts to flake off into the water when it gets thick enough...
I've had no bad experiences thus far..

 

[mpoletti]

I use a mag 7 in my 45 gallon container. I used to think that was the case too.

 

[funman1]

I use a mag 5 in a 5g bucket so I know "more flow" won't prevent it

 

[bored4long]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11322846#post11322846 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by funman1
I use a mag 5 in a 5g bucket so I know "more flow" won't prevent it

You just saved me from purchasing a big pump for mixing SW. Thanks!

 

[RasBobre]

You can use muratic acid to clean your container and rinse well with hot water, air dry.

 

[funman1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11322870#post11322870 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bored4long
You just saved me from purchasing a big pump for mixing SW. Thanks!

No problem..

 

[wpnorton]

where do you get muratic acid?

 

[norcalsig]

you can get muriatic acid at any pool supply store or at home depot in their pool chemical section. I would reccomend not using it unless absolutely necessary because it is highly corrosive to skin, and the fumes can damage your lungs.

 

[MandM]

Re: Saltwater mixup tub residue ?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11320744#post11320744 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Marko9

The question I have, does everyone else get that "stuff" on the bottom of their can ?

Thanks

eeeeew.:eek2:






I noticed residue when I used IO, especially if the water was cold and I dumped too much in at a time. I believe it's the buffer not dissolving or CA thats percipitating out of solution. I don't see it near as much with Reef Crystals, warmer water and adding the salt slowly to moving water.

 

[mpoletti]

I only used reef crystals. I bring the water to temp before adding 2 cups of salt at a time. Oh well.