Auto Water Change with Red Sea Pro salt

thabizness · Jan 20, 2016

I use a Neptune DOS to do AWC for a 180g display tank. I have recently switched from RC to RSCP salt. For RSCP I mix it in my 50g barrel for 2-3 hours and then transfer to a 40breeder to hold for the AWC. With the two batches of RSCP I have made I have noticed a thin layer of "dust" on the bottom of the 40B after a day which I am assuming is precipitation. Its not hard like I would see on heaters or powerheads but a fine dust i can write my name in... This water is not heated in the 40breeder or in the 50g mixing container.

I didn't have this problem with Reef Crystals.

I know about the 4 hour max with RSCP and to use the water immediately. Can RSCP be used for a AWC? Is anyone else getting the same results?

Sabellafella · Jan 20, 2016

thabizness said:
I use a Neptune DOS to do AWC for a 180g display tank. I have recently switched from RC to RSCP salt. For RSCP I mix it in my 50g barrel for 2-3 hours and then transfer to a 40breeder to hold for the AWC. With the two batches of RSCP I have made I have noticed a thin layer of "dust" on the bottom of the 40B after a day which I am assuming is precipitation. Its not hard like I would see on heaters or powerheads but a fine dust i can write my name in... This water is not heated in the 40breeder or in the 50g mixing container.

I didn't have this problem with Reef Crystals.

I know about the 4 hour max with RSCP and to use the water immediately. Can RSCP be used for a AWC? Is anyone else getting the same results?

I went thru the same problem as you, if you mix rscp for more then 6 hours itll precipitate out (accoring to red sea) so i either use esv or i mix rscp with instant ocean

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 20, 2016

FWIW, A little precipitate is not going to hurt RSCP (some may prefer the parameters after some precipitation), but there's also no need to stir it after the initial mixing, or to heat it at all if you water changes are small and slow enough (mine are).

That said, I use regular IO for my automatic water changes and store it for about a month.

thabizness · Jan 20, 2016

I do try to keep the water circulated in the 40b with a mj1200 pointed toward the surface for this last batch. It precipitated with and without the power head.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 20, 2016

thabizness said:
I do try to keep the water circulated in the 40b with a mj1200 pointed toward the surface for this last batch. It precipitated with and without the power head.

There is so much excess calcium and alkalinity in RSCP, that some loss is no concern (IMO).