Reef Crystals Salt Mix Problems - Page 9

Stanley-Reefer · 11/25/2009, 05:50 PM

FWIW I've had the same residue with Kent and Seachem Reef salts too...

uhuru · 11/25/2009, 06:54 PM

yup I get the brown sludge with seachem

I'm planning to switch over to IO soon... water changes are getting too expensive

tmantaylor18 · 11/25/2009, 11:13 PM

Wow, so glad I switched over to something else last week. This salt literally broke my mag 9.5 mixing pump. I pulled it out tonight because it threw off the breaker at my house. When I opened it up, this crust brown stuff had completely froze the impellar so it wouldn't spin.I removed it and the entire inside was coated with this crap. Unfortunately, I know have to buy a new pump. I am wondering if contacting instant ocean would be worth it.

Boyman · 11/26/2009, 12:50 AM

I was wondering why my clear tote became a brown tote... no joke

The entire tote changed colors after a year of mixing RC

However, I haven't noticed a negative impact on my corals

PhreeBYrd · 11/26/2009, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmantaylor18

Wow, so glad I switched over to something else last week. This salt literally broke my mag 9.5 mixing pump. I pulled it out tonight because it threw off the breaker at my house. When I opened it up, this crust brown stuff had completely froze the impellar so it wouldn't spin.I removed it and the entire inside was coated with this crap. Unfortunately, I know have to buy a new pump. I am wondering if contacting instant ocean would be worth it.

What you're describing is normal. This will happen with any salt mix, though it should take much longer in a mixing tub (which typically will not be run 24/7). Cleaning and replacing pumps and pump impellers is just part of the hobby. I buy a gallon of vinegar a month just for this reason.

Your mixing container must be enormous if you're using a mag 9.5.

jmann · 11/26/2009, 08:39 AM

I was thinking the same thing. Yeh I have to clean my maxi jet 1200 every now and then and I use TM pro and switched to DD H2 and get the same precip build up over time from mixing, light brown color in the mixing container too. I jusy ordered a box of RC from DF&S since the others were getting too expensive, well wait and see after reading this thread.

Chihuahua6 · 11/26/2009, 07:37 PM

You guys needs to read more on this thread. They aren't referring to the normal build up. What they're describing is quite unusual.

pwfish · 11/26/2009, 08:42 PM

I use RC also and get a rust colored film on the sides of the mixing barrel also, but I haven't had any ill effects to my SPS or fish. But it would be nice to know what the material is.

timmyb770 · 11/26/2009, 10:49 PM

The only problem that i have had is the high ALK like you said!

lllosingit · 11/27/2009, 12:55 AM

I've mixed a total of three boxes of RC using a 75 gallon aquarium as a mixing station and the glass is still very clean so at least the salt I have doesn't have any mixing
issues.

tmantaylor18 · 11/27/2009, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhreeBYrd

What you're describing is normal. This will happen with any salt mix, though it should take much longer in a mixing tub (which typically will not be run 24/7). Cleaning and replacing pumps and pump impellers is just part of the hobby. I buy a gallon of vinegar a month just for this reason.

Your mixing container must be enormous if you're using a mag 9.5.

its not normal for me, never had issues like this with tm pro.

IluvGod'sreefs · 11/27/2009, 05:32 AM

Wow, this is some pretty disturbing stuff in these threads. I've been using Reef Crystals for 2+ yrs and have had no issues at all. Am currently using out of a 200 gal box and have seen no off color residue. It always mixes and dissolves well--very consistent.

Lightsluvr · 11/27/2009, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Briankook

I know Tropic Marine Pro Reef is typically more money, but it might be worth the few extra dollars. There is 'usually' a reason why something costs more.

It's the old adage: "You get what you pay for"

...

I have shopped around and wonder if TM Pro Reef is really worth $30 more (per 200 gallon box) than RC...

I can buy the 200G box of RC at $55 vs. the same size TMPR at $85. That's a chunk of change over the period of a year when doing 65G water changes every week.

I'm not so sure the old adage applies in this situation... This smacks of a P.T. Barnum quote, "there's one born every minute..."

Just an observation.

LL

Billybeau1 · 11/27/2009, 08:07 AM

I love salt mix discussions.

I tend to agree with you George, to a point. But I wouldn't call anyone a sucker for spending more money on something that gives you piece of mind.

I think it may be worth it for some, but not others as we all have different systems.

Lightsluvr · 11/27/2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billybeau1

I love salt mix discussions.

I tend to agree with you George, to a point. But I wouldn't call anyone a sucker for spending more money on something that gives you piece of mind.

I think it may be worth it for some, but not others as we all have different systems.

You're correct of course. I was turning the P.T. Barnum comment inwardly as well (notice I did not use the word "sucker" in my paraphrase... That being said, I have personally bought more than my share of snake oil pursuing this hobby...

I just wonder how a company which services saltwater aquariums for a living can suddenly increase their salt costs by 40% and be happy about it... Maybe a friend at the factory...

LL

Names Brucey · 11/27/2009, 10:18 AM

I have recently switched over to try the Brightwell Salt which is also quite a bit more than RC. Love the way it mixes with no residue but it has thrown my entire dosing out of wack and I am agetting some serious algea on my glass since I switched. I will be switching back.

Briankook · 11/27/2009, 10:20 AM

What can I say... I am a sucker

Korrine · 11/27/2009, 08:07 PM

I have a bucket of RC from March or April this year. It's fine other than a tid bit of white on the bottom. I think I'm going to continue using RC

TS14 · 11/27/2009, 09:40 PM

OK so I just read this whole thread and I am kind of cofused?lol I have always used RC and I have noticed a thin layer of brown in my mixing bucket. The other day I had about a gallon left and went to pour it in a jug and it looked like rusty water. Is this "normal" for the water to look like this at the bottom of the barrel?

Lightsluvr · 11/28/2009, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TS14

OK so I just read this whole thread and I am kind of cofused?lol I have always used RC and I have noticed a thin layer of brown in my mixing bucket. The other day I had about a gallon left and went to pour it in a jug and it looked like rusty water. Is this "normal" for the water to look like this at the bottom of the barrel?

Don't feel badly... everyone is confused.

RC does leave a brown residue in mixing containers, especially if you store the saltwater mixture for a day or two before using. When I was using Brute containers, I would just lightly scrub the inside of the barrel every second or third use, and the residue would rinse right off into my sink. With my current system, I power wash the inside of my 65G mixing tank every 3 months or so to remove the accumulation.

After reading this and other threads on the subject, I have decided to stay with RC. I cannot justify paying $30 more for a 200G container of Tropic Marin Pro. That's just my personal opinion.

I have just decided that after three years, I have had good results with RC, and I'll stick with what works for me...

LL

Chihuahua6 · 11/28/2009, 09:21 PM

Is the problem with just RC or is Instant Ocean having the same issues?

TS14 · 11/29/2009, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lightsluvr

Don't feel badly... everyone is confused.

RC does leave a brown residue in mixing containers, especially if you store the saltwater mixture for a day or two before using. When I was using Brute containers, I would just lightly scrub the inside of the barrel every second or third use, and the residue would rinse right off into my sink. With my current system, I power wash the inside of my 65G mixing tank every 3 months or so to remove the accumulation.

After reading this and other threads on the subject, I have decided to stay with RC. I cannot justify paying $30 more for a 200G container of Tropic Marin Pro. That's just my personal opinion.

I have just decided that after three years, I have had good results with RC, and I'll stick with what works for me...

LL

Thanks for the info, I think I will be sticking with them as well

heliguy71 · 11/29/2009, 10:27 AM

hi,i talked to fosters and smith about the salt leaving a brown residue,they use this salt at their coral facility.they said it is excess nutrient build up it the mixing bucket or barrel we use to mix salt.even in new buckets the high mineral content in the salt will cause this in all salt mixes.they told me to clean the bucket or barrel with a 50/50 solution on vinegar and water,spray bottom sides with solution rinse well and turn bucket or barrel upside down to dry after every mix.they said if you do not do this you could be adding unwanted algae to your system.i have been using reef cystals for many years also and the 200 gallon box mix gives me a browm residue to, used the 160gallon bucket mix but i do not remember if i had the same problem.anyway this is what they told me.

thanks mike

jbardwel · 12/22/2009, 01:22 PM

I have been using
CS-150BA Bioassay Formula Marinemix for years with great results
I found a web site that claims the EDTA in many other mixes kills many larva

jbardwel · 12/22/2009, 01:23 PM

here is the article, it claims much higher survival of larvae with crystal sea bioassay mix, it is also really inexpensive so why use anything else?
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...ture/index.php

11/26/2009, 08:39 AM	#206
jmann Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Searcy, Arkansas Posts: 150	I was thinking the same thing. Yeh I have to clean my maxi jet 1200 every now and then and I use TM pro and switched to DD H2 and get the same precip build up over time from mixing, light brown color in the mixing container too. I jusy ordered a box of RC from DF&S since the others were getting too expensive, well wait and see after reading this thread. __________________ jmann Current Tank Info: 230 sps and fish

11/26/2009, 07:37 PM	#207
Chihuahua6 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Hempstead, NY Posts: 2,124	You guys needs to read more on this thread. They aren't referring to the normal build up. What they're describing is quite unusual. __________________ Leah Amanda Current Tank Info: First salt tank 1985, current tank 150 g acrylic

11/27/2009, 12:55 AM	#210
lllosingit Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Des Moines Iowa Posts: 3,190	I've mixed a total of three boxes of RC using a 75 gallon aquarium as a mixing station and the glass is still very clean so at least the salt I have doesn't have any mixing issues. __________________ It Was Funny Until Someone Got Hurt..........Then It Was Hilarious! Current Tank Info: DD 250 60x36x27 450 gallon total system. Last edited by lllosingit; 11/27/2009 at 01:11 AM.

11/27/2009, 05:32 AM	#212
IluvGod'sreefs Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Texas Panhandle Posts: 148	Wow, this is some pretty disturbing stuff in these threads. I've been using Reef Crystals for 2+ yrs and have had no issues at all. Am currently using out of a 200 gal box and have seen no off color residue. It always mixes and dissolves well--very consistent. __________________ "Instead of telling God how big the storm is, tell the storm how big your God is." _________________________________________ Current Tank Info: 55 gallon reef

11/27/2009, 08:07 AM	#214
Billybeau1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 12,010	I love salt mix discussions. I tend to agree with you George, to a point. But I wouldn't call anyone a sucker for spending more money on something that gives you piece of mind. I think it may be worth it for some, but not others as we all have different systems. __________________ 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

11/25/2009, 05:50 PM	#201
Stanley-Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Stanley, NC Posts: 1,933	FWIW I've had the same residue with Kent and Seachem Reef salts too...

11/25/2009, 06:54 PM	#202
uhuru Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus Posts: 2,949	yup I get the brown sludge with seachem I'm planning to switch over to IO soon... water changes are getting too expensive

11/25/2009, 11:13 PM	#203
tmantaylor18 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sunnyvale, CA Posts: 4,143	Wow, so glad I switched over to something else last week. This salt literally broke my mag 9.5 mixing pump. I pulled it out tonight because it threw off the breaker at my house. When I opened it up, this crust brown stuff had completely froze the impellar so it wouldn't spin.I removed it and the entire inside was coated with this crap. Unfortunately, I know have to buy a new pump. I am wondering if contacting instant ocean would be worth it.

11/26/2009, 12:50 AM	#204
Boyman Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New York, New York Posts: 327	I was wondering why my clear tote became a brown tote... no joke The entire tote changed colors after a year of mixing RC However, I haven't noticed a negative impact on my corals

11/26/2009, 08:42 PM	#208
pwfish Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 79	I use RC also and get a rust colored film on the sides of the mixing barrel also, but I haven't had any ill effects to my SPS or fish. But it would be nice to know what the material is.

11/26/2009, 10:49 PM	#209
timmyb770 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Birmingham, MI Posts: 52	The only problem that i have had is the high ALK like you said!

11/27/2009, 10:18 AM	#216
Names Brucey Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Middle River, MD Posts: 272	I have recently switched over to try the Brightwell Salt which is also quite a bit more than RC. Love the way it mixes with no residue but it has thrown my entire dosing out of wack and I am agetting some serious algea on my glass since I switched. I will be switching back.

11/27/2009, 10:20 AM	#217
Briankook Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Reading,PA Posts: 744	What can I say... I am a sucker __________________ Brian Current Tank Info: 180 Gallon BB in wall..., 250 lbs.LR, 65 gallon fuge, 3,400W 10K XM Halides, 4, 160W VHO's on pulleys, Deltec 902 skimmer w/ozone, MAXCAP RODI autotopoff, 3 Tunzes & 1 Vortech

11/27/2009, 08:07 PM	#218
Korrine You could get a ticket!! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Upper midwest Posts: 4,288 Blog Entries: 1	I have a bucket of RC from March or April this year. It's fine other than a tid bit of white on the bottom. I think I'm going to continue using RC __________________ Try to keep in mind that we are all human...mistakes do happen! Be kinder than necessary because every one you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Current Tank Info: 40 breeder - started 9/2011 - platinum perc and sanjay's black photon clownfishes; sps and lps, and soft corals; 250w MH, 20 long sump w Bubble Magus Nac 3.5 skimmer 12g nano cube -serpent star, mini carpet anemones, w 6 sexy shrimp, 150w MH, maxi je

11/27/2009, 09:40 PM	#219
TS14 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 69	OK so I just read this whole thread and I am kind of cofused?lol I have always used RC and I have noticed a thin layer of brown in my mixing bucket. The other day I had about a gallon left and went to pour it in a jug and it looked like rusty water. Is this "normal" for the water to look like this at the bottom of the barrel?

11/28/2009, 09:21 PM	#221
Chihuahua6 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Hempstead, NY Posts: 2,124	Is the problem with just RC or is Instant Ocean having the same issues? __________________ Leah Amanda Current Tank Info: First salt tank 1985, current tank 150 g acrylic

11/29/2009, 10:27 AM	#223
heliguy71 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: larsen,wisconsin Posts: 81	Fyi on reef crystals hi,i talked to fosters and smith about the salt leaving a brown residue,they use this salt at their coral facility.they said it is excess nutrient build up it the mixing bucket or barrel we use to mix salt.even in new buckets the high mineral content in the salt will cause this in all salt mixes.they told me to clean the bucket or barrel with a 50/50 solution on vinegar and water,spray bottom sides with solution rinse well and turn bucket or barrel upside down to dry after every mix.they said if you do not do this you could be adding unwanted algae to your system.i have been using reef cystals for many years also and the 200 gallon box mix gives me a browm residue to, used the 160gallon bucket mix but i do not remember if i had the same problem.anyway this is what they told me. thanks mike

12/22/2009, 01:22 PM	#224
jbardwel Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 104	bioassay I have been using CS-150BA Bioassay Formula Marinemix for years with great results I found a web site that claims the EDTA in many other mixes kills many larva __________________ Jim

12/22/2009, 01:23 PM	#225
jbardwel Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 104	article here is the article, it claims much higher survival of larvae with crystal sea bioassay mix, it is also really inexpensive so why use anything else? http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...ture/index.php __________________ Jim