Reef Crystals Salt Mix Problems - Page 5

ChrisKirkland · 06/20/2009, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DeathWish302
+1,000,000

Used RC & IO since early 2001 and have no problems. I have the sludge that everyone is freaking out about, but what do you expect for a reasonably priced product.
The residue could be impurities bound with the calcium carbonate. If you have ever dosed Driveway heat in a DIY 2-Part, you'll expereince the same precipitate. My WC portion is crystal clear.
I clean the Brute out once every 6 months and move on. If you think your money is better spent elsewhere, buy another brand. My next two salt choices are Kent and then TM.

The fact is IO has been doing this for longer than most other companies and have a long track record. My make-up water ain't broke and won't be 'fixed' by another salt.

I also dose prestone Driveway heat and get a WHITE precipitate not a tan/brown precipitate. As I said earlier you opinion is your opinion not all RC salt batches are the same. YOu have a totally different batch than me.

Jorober · 07/12/2009, 09:25 PM

I've been using RC for a long time, and I've never had an issue with it leaving a brown residue. Nor have I ever had any negative effects in my reef tanks (which we have a 180g and a 330g). I switched to Red Sea Coral Pro, but was constantly dosing alk heavily to combat the extremely low alk levels in the salt mix. So I switched back to RC. Just thought I'd add my two cents. Personally I think you're going waaaay overboard with this whole thing. IMHO

ChrisKirkland · 07/16/2009, 10:16 PM

We have officially stopped using RC and will be looking at using Red Sea Coral Pro or Tropic Marine Pro (or even a mix of the two)

coral_lagoon · 07/16/2009, 10:31 PM

Thats why I switched to Kent Marine..

rigleautomotive · 07/17/2009, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChrisKirkland
We have officially stopped using RC and will be looking at using Red Sea Coral Pro or Tropic Marine Pro (or even a mix of the two)

I think you will notice your corals look better after a water change then before.i noticed this after about 2 or 3 , 25% water changes using red sea coral pro and switching from RC.

Mish1 · 07/17/2009, 08:14 AM

I wish I would have found this thread a couple days ago.

I just finished filling my tank with RO/DI water and then added Reef Crystals on Wednesday. I immediately noticed a brown film/residue forming on top of my water in my sump. Two days later and that brown residue is still there. I will definitely be switching to a different salt after I use up what I have left of RC.

This is very discouraging and actually ticks me off that I started my tank using this inferior product.

BrassMonkey · 07/17/2009, 08:53 AM

i have always had some brown "stuff" settle to the bottom of my mixing bucket. no worries. the last bucket of rc i bought was different.

i have a thick coating all over the tub and pumps. enough to freeze the pump up if left running for a week. AFTER ONLY ONE MIX.

havent noticed an problems with my tank but its just a pain to have to clean out the pumps and tub every mix.

and no im not dumping the salt in. i use a 25g barrel and 2 maxi mod 1200s.

BigJay · 07/17/2009, 09:34 AM

I use RC, but I will say this.

Red Sea Coral Pro always needed a magnesium and alkalinity boost, but it didn't leave any residue. That's probably because it lacked both of those minerals that tend to precipitate when the salt is mixed. It did however, have a fresh ocean smell to it when mixed, most likely because it's made from evaporated sea water.

Reef Crystals always precipitates a little, but I don't need to supplement it with baking soda and magnesium chloride. A fresh mixed batch has a nasty chemical smell to it though, I believe this is because the mix is completely synthetic. Can anyone confirm this?

rigleautomotive · 07/17/2009, 09:45 AM

i can confirm the smell on rc.like vitamins and chemicals
as far as the red sea needing a boost,its been testing pretty good for me and i have not been adding mg or anything else lately.the mg is usually around 1275,alk around 9 and cal around 420 so i am good with these #s

BigJay · 07/17/2009, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rigleautomotive
i can confirm the smell on rc.like vitamins and chemicals
as far as the red sea needing a boost,its been testing pretty good for me and i have not been adding mg or anything else lately.the mg is usually around 1275,alk around 9 and cal around 420 so i am good with these #s

Red Sea always mixed:

1200 mag, which I boosted to 1380.

6.5 DKH, which I boosted to 9.

It always had around 460 calcium though, which was perfect. I always liked the ocean smell to it and my tank though, it reminded me of the beach. I think I may switch back.

DeathWish302 · 07/17/2009, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BigJay
Reef Crystals always precipitates a little, but I don't need to supplement it with baking soda and magnesium chloride. A fresh mixed batch has a nasty chemical smell to it though, I believe this is because the mix is completely synthetic. Can anyone confirm this?

My IO doesn't smell like chemicals at all, maybe RC is a COMPLETELY different blend which results in this smell.... I do burn the sh.... out of my nose when prepping a 32gallon can of it though. It does taste the same as the ocean!!! .....too many times trying to draw a siphon and swallowing my share of IO, Kent & TM.

I stand behind IO UNTIL I try Brightwell's new salt. This may tip the scales.....

luther1200 · 07/17/2009, 01:59 PM

If your thinking of using H2Ocean, from what I have heard there is a good brown film left behind from that salt as well.

ChrisKirkland · 07/17/2009, 09:37 PM

Yeah, this really isn't for me because I don't use it. It's for our clients because there ARE diatom's in both the boxed and bucket mix's. Our research and studies under a lab microscope show that it is living diatoms.

wayne in norway · 07/18/2009, 12:17 AM

The tan precipitate that forms a layer/sheet in buckets is CaCO3. It's normal for it to be tan rather than white.
Sadly Red Sea has always mixed up dirty for me. I have used a lot of salts and it's been one I didn't like because there's too often a scum.

d0ughb0y · 07/18/2009, 01:00 AM

I just found this thread. FWIW, I bought a bucket of RC from DFS about a month ago, and immediately the following day after the water change, I got a ton of dino, cyano and gha. pretty much everything in my tank was covered. At that time, I only thought I should have made the salt switch slowly (I use coralife salt before). I also noticed the brown/tan residue on my mixing bucket and powerhead, and also noticed the strong smell (smells like multivitamin). I am still using the RC salt, and have slowly manually cleaned out my tank of the algae. The residue does look like sand/silica, which could be the reason for the algae outbreak. I'll see if the algae eventually disappears, if not, then I will change salt.

my powerhead looks like it was used to mix concrete.

amore169 · 07/18/2009, 01:21 AM

I been using RC for a long time, I would stop using it.

njdevilsfan · 07/18/2009, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChrisKirkland
Yeah, this really isn't for me because I don't use it. It's for our clients because there ARE diatom's in both the boxed and bucket mix's. Our research and studies under a lab microscope show that it is living diatoms.

so are you saying that the diatoms (a living thing)
survived inside the salt bucket oe bag ?

just courious what is your water source ?

rammee · 07/22/2009, 12:16 PM

I have had the same problem with instant ocean i then switched to Kent had the same thing happen after mixing for a week i had white chalk like stuff on the pump and heater it was not as bad as IC i talk to some on they said it was the anti caking in the salt

Sea Polar · 07/22/2009, 01:38 PM

I prefer to let my new batches of salt water sit and age until I see the brown stuff. That is when I feel like it is ready, it's sort of like a "timer" for me. I would rather let the brown stuff form in my mixing container than in my tank. I just wipe it out when I'm done.

ChrisKirkland · 07/24/2009, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by njdevilsfan
so are you saying that the diatoms (a living thing)
survived inside the salt bucket oe bag ?

just courious what is your water source ?

Diatoms can survive in the packaging because there is just enough water content in the salt to keep them alive. diatoms are actually clear and when they collect dirt or sediment in the salt they turn brown/tan. Water source is RO/DI at 0ppm on two different TDS meters

ChrisKirkland · 07/24/2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by d0ughb0y
I just found this thread. FWIW, I bought a bucket of RC from DFS about a month ago, and immediately the following day after the water change, I got a ton of dino, cyano and gha. pretty much everything in my tank was covered. At that time, I only thought I should have made the salt switch slowly (I use coralife salt before). I also noticed the brown/tan residue on my mixing bucket and powerhead, and also noticed the strong smell (smells like multivitamin). I am still using the RC salt, and have slowly manually cleaned out my tank of the algae. The residue does look like sand/silica, which could be the reason for the algae outbreak. I'll see if the algae eventually disappears, if not, then I will change salt.

my powerhead looks like it was used to mix concrete.

Thats where my salt came from... You had the same thing happen to you that happened to me. Thats why I am so upset at it. It's not only me others have had the same issue. What was your water source and tank conditions before the water change?

ChrisKirkland · 07/24/2009, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wayne in norway
The tan precipitate that forms a layer/sheet in buckets is CaCO3. It's normal for it to be tan rather than white.
Sadly Red Sea has always mixed up dirty for me. I have used a lot of salts and it's been one I didn't like because there's too often a scum.

Used red sea coral pro for a long time before RC personally and never had this. Just switched back and no residue or tan precipitate left over. Used about 100 gallons as of now. I know some white will be left due to CaCO3 but very little of that is even left.

goldmaniac · 07/24/2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sea Polar
I prefer to let my new batches of salt water sit and age until I see the brown stuff. That is when I feel like it is ready, it's sort of like a "timer" for me. I would rather let the brown stuff form in my mixing container than in my tank. I just wipe it out when I'm done.

I think this comment reflects a sanity that has been missing from this thread. This poster has things in perspective, and adapts to this mild adversity with the salt and turns it into a useful quality.

Seriously, people. It's salt. All major brands do a pretty good job of incorporating the correct pH, Mg, Ca, alk, and traces into their dry product. All you have to do is add clean water and mix well. It's an amazing product that significantly helps to allow us to house animals that we couldn't keep alive 15-20 years ago.

\grew up in a house with a salt water tank in the 80's
\\undergravel filter, diatomatious earth, florescent lighting, Instant Ocean
\\\ improvements out the wazoo since then, including The Internets

\\\\ I've returned a bucket of IO before due to the 'dusting' when i mixed it all up. I know what everyone is talking about and sympathize.
\\\\\ I love slashies

luther1200 · 07/24/2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChrisKirkland
Yeah, this really isn't for me because I don't use it. It's for our clients because there ARE diatom's in both the boxed and bucket mix's. Our research and studies under a lab microscope show that it is living diatoms.

It most definitly is not diatoms. Because when I clean my mixing pump in vineger it bubbles like a calcium deposit. And I beleive in the chemistry forum its already been proved exactly what it was, and it wasn't diatoms.

There are people in the Chemistry forum who will try to ID samples you send if you want nto.

BigJay · 07/24/2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChrisKirkland
Used red sea coral pro for a long time before RC personally and never had this. Just switched back and no residue or tan precipitate left over. Used about 100 gallons as of now. I know some white will be left due to CaCO3 but very little of that is even left.

I'm picking up another bucket of Red Sea this weekend.

I know this is going to sound extremely silly, but I've always liked the "ocean smell" of the fresh mixed red sea salt. It reminds me of the gorgeous beaches down in south florida, which is why I keep a reef tank to begin with. Reef Crystals smells like the chemical spill left over after a train wreck. There is a difference between evaporated salt, and salt created in a lab somewhere.

Red Sea always left a little more residue for me, but I never thought it was an issue. It was the low magnesium that always bothered me (1100-1200). I have plenty of magnesium chloride to buffer it though.

07/16/2009, 10:16 PM	#103
ChrisKirkland Reef and Coral Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lexington, Ky. Posts: 1,739	We have officially stopped using RC and will be looking at using Red Sea Coral Pro or Tropic Marine Pro (or even a mix of the two) __________________ Chris Kirkland Reef Nerd. Current Tank Info: Getting back into the hobby.

07/17/2009, 09:34 AM	#108
BigJay Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Southlake, Texas Posts: 1,872	I use RC, but I will say this. Red Sea Coral Pro always needed a magnesium and alkalinity boost, but it didn't leave any residue. That's probably because it lacked both of those minerals that tend to precipitate when the salt is mixed. It did however, have a fresh ocean smell to it when mixed, most likely because it's made from evaporated sea water. Reef Crystals always precipitates a little, but I don't need to supplement it with baking soda and magnesium chloride. A fresh mixed batch has a nasty chemical smell to it though, I believe this is because the mix is completely synthetic. Can anyone confirm this? __________________ PBITAWA

07/17/2009, 09:45 AM	#109
rigleautomotive Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 3,705	i can confirm the smell on rc.like vitamins and chemicals as far as the red sea needing a boost,its been testing pretty good for me and i have not been adding mg or anything else lately.the mg is usually around 1275,alk around 9 and cal around 420 so i am good with these #s __________________ Dan Rigle President, * Reef Conservation Society TOTM December 2010 Coral Magazine Sept/Oct 2012 Current Tank Info: 180 gal SPS dominated display, 3 X 250 watt Radiums , lumenarc III minis , with VHO actinics, ETS downdraft skimmers, closed loops and 2 Tunze 6105 & 7095 controller,DIY calcium reactors DIY custom built sumps,since 1992

07/17/2009, 01:59 PM	#112
luther1200 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ, shore Posts: 4,376	If your thinking of using H2Ocean, from what I have heard there is a good brown film left behind from that salt as well. __________________ Matt, 65G reef tank Current Tank Info: 65g reef, mix of sps, lps, few softies. Hoping to upgrade within the year.

07/17/2009, 09:37 PM	#113
ChrisKirkland Reef and Coral Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lexington, Ky. Posts: 1,739	Yeah, this really isn't for me because I don't use it. It's for our clients because there ARE diatom's in both the boxed and bucket mix's. Our research and studies under a lab microscope show that it is living diatoms. __________________ Chris Kirkland Reef Nerd. Current Tank Info: Getting back into the hobby.

07/12/2009, 09:25 PM	#102
Jorober Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Corbett, OR Posts: 109	I've been using RC for a long time, and I've never had an issue with it leaving a brown residue. Nor have I ever had any negative effects in my reef tanks (which we have a 180g and a 330g). I switched to Red Sea Coral Pro, but was constantly dosing alk heavily to combat the extremely low alk levels in the salt mix. So I switched back to RC. Just thought I'd add my two cents. Personally I think you're going waaaay overboard with this whole thing. IMHO

07/16/2009, 10:31 PM	#104
coral_lagoon Pushrod Powered Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Down The Corkscrew , CA Posts: 1,263	Thats why I switched to Kent Marine..

07/17/2009, 08:14 AM	#106
Mish1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 169	I wish I would have found this thread a couple days ago. I just finished filling my tank with RO/DI water and then added Reef Crystals on Wednesday. I immediately noticed a brown film/residue forming on top of my water in my sump. Two days later and that brown residue is still there. I will definitely be switching to a different salt after I use up what I have left of RC. This is very discouraging and actually ticks me off that I started my tank using this inferior product.

07/17/2009, 08:53 AM	#107
BrassMonkey Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Palm Beach Posts: 950	i have always had some brown "stuff" settle to the bottom of my mixing bucket. no worries. the last bucket of rc i bought was different. i have a thick coating all over the tub and pumps. enough to freeze the pump up if left running for a week. AFTER ONLY ONE MIX. havent noticed an problems with my tank but its just a pain to have to clean out the pumps and tub every mix. and no im not dumping the salt in. i use a 25g barrel and 2 maxi mod 1200s.

07/18/2009, 12:17 AM	#114
wayne in norway Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Stavanger, Norway Posts: 1,271	The tan precipitate that forms a layer/sheet in buckets is CaCO3. It's normal for it to be tan rather than white. Sadly Red Sea has always mixed up dirty for me. I have used a lot of salts and it's been one I didn't like because there's too often a scum.

07/18/2009, 01:00 AM	#115
d0ughb0y Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: sf bay area Posts: 5,165	I just found this thread. FWIW, I bought a bucket of RC from DFS about a month ago, and immediately the following day after the water change, I got a ton of dino, cyano and gha. pretty much everything in my tank was covered. At that time, I only thought I should have made the salt switch slowly (I use coralife salt before). I also noticed the brown/tan residue on my mixing bucket and powerhead, and also noticed the strong smell (smells like multivitamin). I am still using the RC salt, and have slowly manually cleaned out my tank of the algae. The residue does look like sand/silica, which could be the reason for the algae outbreak. I'll see if the algae eventually disappears, if not, then I will change salt. my powerhead looks like it was used to mix concrete. Last edited by d0ughb0y; 07/18/2009 at 01:48 AM.

07/18/2009, 01:21 AM	#116
amore169 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,250	I been using RC for a long time, I would stop using it. __________________ Arnie. Current Tank Info: 400 Gallon Starphire Rimless. 8 A360WE Kessils with controller. Sfiligoi Infinity DDE 6X250 light fixture. Bubble King Internal 300 Deluxe. 215 Gallon Oceanic Starphire Ultimate FOWRL. 34 Gallon Solana.

07/22/2009, 12:16 PM	#118
rammee Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ohio Posts: 83	I have had the same problem with instant ocean i then switched to Kent had the same thing happen after mixing for a week i had white chalk like stuff on the pump and heater it was not as bad as IC i talk to some on they said it was the anti caking in the salt

07/22/2009, 01:38 PM	#119
Sea Polar Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 88	I prefer to let my new batches of salt water sit and age until I see the brown stuff. That is when I feel like it is ready, it's sort of like a "timer" for me. I would rather let the brown stuff form in my mixing container than in my tank. I just wipe it out when I'm done.