Diatoms in the mixing tub?????

sandgoby · 02/14/2009, 12:38 PM

Hey Guys Here is a pic, I have recently changed to Reef Crystals salt mix. This is the second batch that I have made. I have the same problem the first time but I dismissed it as a contaminated mixing pump or whatever. I have included a pic. I decided to run a spare skimmer in the tub to see if I could remove the brown "stuff" in the tub. As you can see it's intense (skimmer was running for about 30 min). This is after about 4 days of mixing. Has anyone else run into this before? Could it be the salt mix?

Thanks,

G

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo...37299763LiqGzH

diverdick · 02/14/2009, 01:14 PM

I tend to have a brown substance on the surfaces of my mixing tub - 40 gallon brute trash can. I have dismissed it in terms of washing it out.....curious skimmer on new water. Could it be a function of the tub material? What are you using as a mixing container?

sandgoby · 02/14/2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by diverdick
I tend to have a brown substance on the surfaces of my mixing tub - 40 gallon brute trash can. I have dismissed it in terms of washing it out.....curious skimmer on new water. Could it be a function of the tub material? What are you using as a mixing container?

I am using a brute container 32 gal (Rubbermaid) have used it before I was using Tropic Marin Salt mix and never had this issue come up. The skimmer on new water is curious, you shouldn't get much if anything.

G

TomRep · 02/14/2009, 05:06 PM

This is common with RC salt. Supposedly it is from a non clumping agent in the salt and is completly harmless. I never really did the research, just what I read on here. I use RC salt as well and never had a problem with it. i find if you only mix the water and aerate and heat it for a day or two rather then a week or so, the brown stuff isn't nearly as bad.
tom

sandgoby · 02/16/2009, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TomRep
This is common with RC salt. Supposedly it is from a non clumping agent in the salt and is completly harmless. I never really did the research, just what I read on here. I use RC salt as well and never had a problem with it. i find if you only mix the water and aerate and heat it for a day or two rather then a week or so, the brown stuff isn't nearly as bad.
tom

It may be that it's "not bad" but the stuff my skimmer pulled from the water is nasty. I don't believe that I would want to add that to my reef, it looks like sludge!

Thanks
G

VacavilleFC3S · 02/16/2009, 06:41 PM

i prefer oceanic to RC anyday

02/14/2009, 12:38 PM	#1
sandgoby Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 78	Diatoms in the mixing tub????? Hey Guys Here is a pic, I have recently changed to Reef Crystals salt mix. This is the second batch that I have made. I have the same problem the first time but I dismissed it as a contaminated mixing pump or whatever. I have included a pic. I decided to run a spare skimmer in the tub to see if I could remove the brown "stuff" in the tub. As you can see it's intense (skimmer was running for about 30 min). This is after about 4 days of mixing. Has anyone else run into this before? Could it be the salt mix? Thanks, G http://good-times.webshots.com/photo...37299763LiqGzH

02/14/2009, 05:06 PM	#4
TomRep Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Fleetwood, PA 19522 Posts: 1,219	This is common with RC salt. Supposedly it is from a non clumping agent in the salt and is completly harmless. I never really did the research, just what I read on here. I use RC salt as well and never had a problem with it. i find if you only mix the water and aerate and heat it for a day or two rather then a week or so, the brown stuff isn't nearly as bad. tom __________________ "I got me a big wave, ride me a big wave, got me a big..WAVE!" Ed Vedder It's a reef thing, you wouldn't understand! Current Tank Info: 50 breeder w/o sump mixed reef, sps dominant. NEP T5 fixture with no stock bulbs, Bermuda Rogue HOB skimmer, canister filter, DIY hang on fuge, 2x modded MJ400's, Tunze Osmolator ATO, Randy's 2 part dosed with and Aquamedic twin

02/14/2009, 01:14 PM	#2
diverdick Registered Member. Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Canandaigua, NY Posts: 1,183 Blog Entries: 1	I tend to have a brown substance on the surfaces of my mixing tub - 40 gallon brute trash can. I have dismissed it in terms of washing it out.....curious skimmer on new water. Could it be a function of the tub material? What are you using as a mixing container?

02/16/2009, 06:41 PM	#6
VacavilleFC3S Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vacaville California Posts: 2,613	i prefer oceanic to RC anyday