Reef Crystals Salt Mix Problems - Page 10

jjstecchino · 12/22/2009, 03:50 PM

Has anybody tried to drop a skimmer in this scummy RC salt and see what may get skimmed out?

I may try to do that and report back

ChrisKirkland · 12/25/2009, 09:24 PM

Hmmm that may be a good idea

vickreyreef · 12/26/2009, 07:53 PM

i have always had the brown residue from RC for years, but sticking with it as it doesn't seem to affect the tank in any way. My prob is the very high alk...how do I combat this and get it down? mine is currently at 15dkh and my ph is at 7.8.....i just dont know how to manage to bring the two of them in line anymore....

luther1200 · 12/26/2009, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vickreyreef

i have always had the brown residue from RC for years, but sticking with it as it doesn't seem to affect the tank in any way. My prob is the very high alk...how do I combat this and get it down? mine is currently at 15dkh and my ph is at 7.8.....i just dont know how to manage to bring the two of them in line anymore....

I would ask in the chemistry forum. You must have high CO2 levels to have that high of an Alk level and that low pH. Since the only 2 factors of pH are Alk and CO2 I believe.

FWIW I use Reef Crystals and my Alk is stable at 8.5-9 dKh. My fresh water change water has a higher Alk level, but it has very little to 0 affect on my tank.

vickreyreef · 12/27/2009, 06:36 AM

yeah living in South Florida with the house closed up tight all year long pumping in AC makes for a VERY high CO2 situation...no doubt. But the RC mix up high too....so water changes don't help me in the least in getting it down....

Sooners · 12/27/2009, 09:45 AM

I've been using Seachem reef salt. I get the precipitate on my pump and heater in the mixing bucket. Had the same effect with Red Sea before that (which left lots of brown stuff in the bottom of the bucket - lesser amount with Seachem). I have a box of RC that I'll soon use. Thought I'd try RC since the Seachem Reef Salt seemed to mix up each time with low Mag (1100 or so). Hope I don't regret RC after reading this thread....

vickreyreef · 12/27/2009, 10:10 AM

you won't....it is a great salt....

Billybeau1 · 12/28/2009, 04:21 AM

vickrey, I would check your alkalinity test kit. Unless you are adding buffers to your tank, I doubt your alkalinity is 15 dkh using RC.

Just a thought.

Billybeau1 · 12/28/2009, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sooners

I've been using Seachem reef salt. I get the precipitate on my pump and heater in the mixing bucket. Had the same effect with Red Sea before that (which left lots of brown stuff in the bottom of the bucket - lesser amount with Seachem). I have a box of RC that I'll soon use. Thought I'd try RC since the Seachem Reef Salt seemed to mix up each time with low Mag (1100 or so). Hope I don't regret RC after reading this thread....

Sooners, you have a bad magnesium test kit. Seachem Reef Salt has plenty of magnesium in it. More than most others. It should generally net about 1450 ppm @ 1.0264 . Also if your mag kit is good, then you are mixing too lean.

Sooners · 12/28/2009, 07:38 AM

Billybeau1 - Yea, I wondered about the test kit. It is Salifert however. I think I'll order another to see if there is a difference in the results.

Billybeau1 · 12/28/2009, 06:33 PM

Mag test kits generally have some test noise but not as much as you reported. A new kit might net better results.

Let us know how it turns out.

eric@tampa · 12/28/2009, 06:38 PM

I have the same problem as vickeyreef 15.7Alk,gonna tag along and see where this goes

vickreyreef · 12/28/2009, 07:45 PM

eric...good to hear, after all misery really does love company

z3r0ko0l · 12/28/2009, 08:06 PM

i had the same problem with this salt and I just needed to add more salt to my mix, which still irritaes me cuz I only get 120g per bucket not 150+ but oo well. Only thing I just noticed on this new bucket was low ph. This is the first time its been @ 7.8. I mix for 24 hours using a RO/DI @ 0tds and a powerhead. I had to add buffer to the mix. This will prob. be my last bucket of RC.

Billybeau1 · 12/29/2009, 12:43 AM

Most salt manufacturers base their numbers on 1.024 for volume. When you mix to 1.026 or so, you will use more salt per gallon. That is just the way it is.

ChrisKirkland · 12/30/2009, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billybeau1

Most salt manufacturers base their numbers on 1.024 for volume. When you mix to 1.026 or so, you will use more salt per gallon. That is just the way it is.

Red Sea actually bases there mix off a range of parameters that saltwater enthusiasts use from 1.024-1.027.

KyleO · 12/30/2009, 03:10 AM

Since I moved from RC to Seachem Reef Salt, I get less precipitation in my mixing bucket..........not sure why since Seachem has more Ca, Alk and Mag than RC, but there you have it!

Billybeau1 · 01/01/2010, 06:26 PM

You should not be getting any precip in your mixing bucket. With any salt, if it is added slow enough.

wdt2000 · 01/05/2010, 12:32 PM

I just opened a new bag of RC and have a brown gunk collecting on the surface even with a good bit of flow in the surface area of the mixing container.

KyleO · 01/05/2010, 01:02 PM

How fast (or slow) did you add the salt? What was the temp of the water in your mixing container?

A lot of people (including me) have reported a similar issue with RC, but in almost all cases the salt was added too fast. You need to make sure that you slowly add the salt to a full container of water (preferably RO/DI).........

It is also a very good idea to have the fresh water temp at the same temp as your Display tank before mixing in order to get the salinity level as accurate as possible before your water change.

wdt2000 · 01/05/2010, 02:30 PM

I would say it was mixed slow. It was only reading 25 ppm after 24 hours, I brought it up to 35 ppm shortly after that.

Here is a video showing what I am talking about.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0mlPjLdWZI

KyleO · 01/06/2010, 02:30 AM

Yes, I used to see that a lot when I was using RC, but now that I have switched to Seachem Reefsalt, I am brown-film free!

wdt2000 · 01/06/2010, 08:48 AM

I called the 800 number and the guy on the phone told me it was bacteria or something.... I guess I will use this batch for my dirty reef.

Billybeau1 · 01/06/2010, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdt2000

I called the 800 number and the guy on the phone told me it was bacteria or something.... I guess I will use this batch for my dirty reef.

I don't think the guy knew what he was talking about (which is not uncommon).

tcwayne · 01/06/2010, 04:48 PM

I finally got through this thread, I can't believe people are getting what they claim from RC. I guess I'm lucky because I've been using it for years and have never had any of this sort of thing. I get a little brown stuff on my pumps but it washes right off and I'm mixing salt 24/7. I do a water change every 2 weeks and refill my drum and dump in the salt, so I have 56 gallons ready at all times with no issues. Here's an example of my setup and it's sludge free...

12/22/2009, 03:50 PM	#226
jjstecchino Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Carolina, USA Posts: 409	Has anybody tried to drop a skimmer in this scummy RC salt and see what may get skimmed out? I may try to do that and report back __________________ Claudio Click on my username and 'Visit jjstecchino's homepage!" to view my 180 gallon reef build thread. Current Tank Info: 180 Gallon Reef in Infancy

12/25/2009, 09:24 PM	#227
ChrisKirkland Reef and Coral Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lexington, Ky. Posts: 1,739	Hmmm that may be a good idea __________________ Chris Kirkland Reef Nerd. Current Tank Info: Getting back into the hobby.

12/28/2009, 04:21 AM	#233
Billybeau1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 12,010	vickrey, I would check your alkalinity test kit. Unless you are adding buffers to your tank, I doubt your alkalinity is 15 dkh using RC. Just a thought. __________________ I do not worry about things I can't do anything about Current Tank Info: Picasso Trigger, Racoon Butterfly, Yellow Tail Damsel, Half-Black Angel

12/28/2009, 06:33 PM	#236
Billybeau1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 12,010	Mag test kits generally have some test noise but not as much as you reported. A new kit might net better results. Let us know how it turns out. __________________ I do not worry about things I can't do anything about Current Tank Info: Picasso Trigger, Racoon Butterfly, Yellow Tail Damsel, Half-Black Angel

12/29/2009, 12:43 AM	#240
Billybeau1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 12,010	Most salt manufacturers base their numbers on 1.024 for volume. When you mix to 1.026 or so, you will use more salt per gallon. That is just the way it is. __________________ I do not worry about things I can't do anything about Current Tank Info: Picasso Trigger, Racoon Butterfly, Yellow Tail Damsel, Half-Black Angel

12/26/2009, 07:53 PM	#228
vickreyreef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Nova Posts: 331	i have always had the brown residue from RC for years, but sticking with it as it doesn't seem to affect the tank in any way. My prob is the very high alk...how do I combat this and get it down? mine is currently at 15dkh and my ph is at 7.8.....i just dont know how to manage to bring the two of them in line anymore....

12/27/2009, 06:36 AM	#230
vickreyreef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Nova Posts: 331	yeah living in South Florida with the house closed up tight all year long pumping in AC makes for a VERY high CO2 situation...no doubt. But the RC mix up high too....so water changes don't help me in the least in getting it down....

12/27/2009, 09:45 AM	#231
Sooners Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tulsa Posts: 308	I've been using Seachem reef salt. I get the precipitate on my pump and heater in the mixing bucket. Had the same effect with Red Sea before that (which left lots of brown stuff in the bottom of the bucket - lesser amount with Seachem). I have a box of RC that I'll soon use. Thought I'd try RC since the Seachem Reef Salt seemed to mix up each time with low Mag (1100 or so). Hope I don't regret RC after reading this thread....

12/27/2009, 10:10 AM	#232
vickreyreef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Nova Posts: 331	you won't....it is a great salt....

12/28/2009, 07:38 AM	#235
Sooners Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tulsa Posts: 308	Billybeau1 - Yea, I wondered about the test kit. It is Salifert however. I think I'll order another to see if there is a difference in the results.

12/28/2009, 06:38 PM	#237
eric@tampa Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tampa,Fla Posts: 322	I have the same problem as vickeyreef 15.7Alk,gonna tag along and see where this goes

12/28/2009, 07:45 PM	#238
vickreyreef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Nova Posts: 331	eric...good to hear, after all misery really does love company

12/28/2009, 08:06 PM	#239
z3r0ko0l Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: So. Cal Posts: 234	i had the same problem with this salt and I just needed to add more salt to my mix, which still irritaes me cuz I only get 120g per bucket not 150+ but oo well. Only thing I just noticed on this new bucket was low ph. This is the first time its been @ 7.8. I mix for 24 hours using a RO/DI @ 0tds and a powerhead. I had to add buffer to the mix. This will prob. be my last bucket of RC.

12/30/2009, 03:10 AM	#242
KyleO Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brentwood, CA (SF Bay Area) Posts: 737	Since I moved from RC to Seachem Reef Salt, I get less precipitation in my mixing bucket..........not sure why since Seachem has more Ca, Alk and Mag than RC, but there you have it! __________________ Enjoy every moment......you don't have nearly as many left as you think!!! Current Tank Info: 135g Frag tank w/ attached 30ga Cube and 50ga refugium

01/01/2010, 06:26 PM	#243
Billybeau1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 12,010	You should not be getting any precip in your mixing bucket. With any salt, if it is added slow enough. __________________ I do not worry about things I can't do anything about Current Tank Info: Picasso Trigger, Racoon Butterfly, Yellow Tail Damsel, Half-Black Angel

01/05/2010, 12:32 PM	#244
wdt2000 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Mills River NC Posts: 904	I just opened a new bag of RC and have a brown gunk collecting on the surface even with a good bit of flow in the surface area of the mixing container.

01/05/2010, 01:02 PM	#245
KyleO Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brentwood, CA (SF Bay Area) Posts: 737	How fast (or slow) did you add the salt? What was the temp of the water in your mixing container? A lot of people (including me) have reported a similar issue with RC, but in almost all cases the salt was added too fast. You need to make sure that you slowly add the salt to a full container of water (preferably RO/DI)......... It is also a very good idea to have the fresh water temp at the same temp as your Display tank before mixing in order to get the salinity level as accurate as possible before your water change. __________________ Enjoy every moment......you don't have nearly as many left as you think!!! Current Tank Info: 135g Frag tank w/ attached 30ga Cube and 50ga refugium

01/05/2010, 02:30 PM	#246
wdt2000 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Mills River NC Posts: 904	I would say it was mixed slow. It was only reading 25 ppm after 24 hours, I brought it up to 35 ppm shortly after that. Here is a video showing what I am talking about. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0mlPjLdWZI

01/06/2010, 02:30 AM	#247
KyleO Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brentwood, CA (SF Bay Area) Posts: 737	Yes, I used to see that a lot when I was using RC, but now that I have switched to Seachem Reefsalt, I am brown-film free! __________________ Enjoy every moment......you don't have nearly as many left as you think!!! Current Tank Info: 135g Frag tank w/ attached 30ga Cube and 50ga refugium

01/06/2010, 08:48 AM	#248
wdt2000 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Mills River NC Posts: 904	I called the 800 number and the guy on the phone told me it was bacteria or something.... I guess I will use this batch for my dirty reef.

01/06/2010, 04:48 PM	#250
tcwayne OLDGUY-OG Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St. Petersburg, Florida Posts: 2,645	I finally got through this thread, I can't believe people are getting what they claim from RC. I guess I'm lucky because I've been using it for years and have never had any of this sort of thing. I get a little brown stuff on my pumps but it washes right off and I'm mixing salt 24/7. I do a water change every 2 weeks and refill my drum and dump in the salt, so I have 56 gallons ready at all times with no issues. Here's an example of my setup and it's sludge free... __________________ Chuck