Brightwell's salt residue?

[Angels 2010]

I have been using the Brightwell's for a few weeks now and besides the near impossible to open bucket, the only issue i have had is the black residue in the bottom of the mixing bucket. I have contacted Chris at Brightwell's and he is looking into it for me. I will post his response here.

Otherwise I have been happy with it and it tests higher than I had read.

Is anybody else getting this residue? Thanks, Dave

 

[gilmour01]

i havent noticed any, but i'll take a look at the bottom of my brute next time i'm mixing up salt.

 

[scrapz]

My DD leaves a brown slime residue in my mixing bucket, it's ugly but does nothing negative to the salt itself. this is caused by the manufacturing process of the sale. don't know if it's the same in your case

 

[Angels 2010]

i havent noticed any, but i'll take a look at the bottom of my brute next time i'm mixing up salt.

thanks, i use white buckets so it is easier for me to detect. Your brute is probably black so you may not have even noticed. How clear does yours dissolve?

My DD leaves a brown slime residue in my mixing bucket, it's ugly but does nothing negative to the salt itself. this is caused by the manufacturing process of the sale. don't know if it's the same in your case

Scrapz, I had the same issue with Reef Crystals which I why I switched from that salt. I know I am not the only one as someone on another site told me they got residue, too.

Here is what Chris said it might be. I plan to send him pics when I do my WC later today.

" There’s a chance that it may be insoluble, inert particles that are sometimes present in the anhydrous magnesium chloride that is used."

 

[Supreme Reefs]

I havent used brightwell salt but i use reefcrystals and i see it leaves a brownish slime sometimes black in my mixing tub, but it floats so i just take it out with a brine net.

 

[crab0000]

What's the alk like on Brightwell's? I'm using Reef Crystals and it mixes up to ~11-13 alk. That's a little high for my tastes since I run my tanks at 9.5.

 

[Angels 2010]

I havent used brightwell salt but i use reefcrystals and i see it leaves a brownish slime sometimes black in my mixing tub, but it floats so i just take it out with a brine net.

yeah, i got the brown stuff when i used RC, that is why i switched. Brightwell's makes other great products so I expected the same from the salt. Which, except for the residue, it has done well.

What's the alk like on Brightwell's? I'm using Reef Crystals and it mixes up to ~11-13 alk. That's a little high for my tastes since I run my tanks at 9.5.

I got 10 when I tested with both API and salifert, but Billybeau on RC got 11. But I also got 410 on calcium, as did a few other users, when BB got 370. I plan to test mg today and retest cal.

 

[CoralBandit]

It probably is the insoluble Mg I called them about their weird chunky Mg particles that come out of the Magnesion and its just precipitated Mg probably a similar situation. Brightwell should readjust the amount no point in putting that much in if it precipitates.... waste of $$$ on their part. Probably nominal though

 

[Mallard]

I just finished my water change using Brightwell's and I've noticed that the longer I let the salt mix the less residue I get on the bottom of the bucket. I have seen a little bit of black particles but like it has been stated, it's likely mag.

 

[Angels 2010]

i let mine mix anywhere from 24 hours to 48 hours yet still get the residue. Those black particles is exactly what i am talking about. I'll post pics later today when i take them for Chris.

 

[Mallard]

I definitely get the residue but I get less when I let it mix longer. How many gallons are you making at a time? Either way, it'll be interesting to see what Brightwell says after your pictures are sent over to them.

 

[Angels 2010]

I mix 2 white 5 gallon buckets at a time. I run a heater in each one with a mj 900 pointing at the surface. I usually try to mix it for about 24 hours but sometimes i get lazy, like this time, and do it 48 hours later.

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

Scrapz, I had the same issue with Reef Crystals which I why I switched from that salt. I know I am not the only one as someone on another site told me they got residue, too.

I use a white potable water holding container to mix my salt, and have seen this happen with many salt brands (RC, IO, Seachem) except for "Get Tanked Aquariums" hand made salt (don't use anymore - perfect salt, but not necessary IMHO). I've never had any issues with the residue and just wash out the container every so often.

 

[Angels 2010]

I'm starting to believe the residue is more annoying than harmful. And I do believe the stuff in the Brightwell's is probably Mg as I just tested the water and it was 1500, seems real high.

And BTW, I did roll and mix the salt bucket before I opened it in case of settling.

Stun, I clean mine after every WC and am beginning to think this may be necessary with whatever "budget" salt i end up using.

 

[Smartfish]

I was thinking about trying the Brightwell Salt, I am having a hard time finding it at any local LFS. I am also curious about the DD. I have tried Get Tanked salt and liked it alot. I currently use Seachem Reef Salt and it is the only one besides the Get Tanked salt that I have used that did not create the brown slime in my make up water. I found it interesting that I went through a few of the top name salts and always had the slime. I just hate paying the shipping costs for heavy items like 18 bucks on top of the shipping bringing the cost way up. So I am looking to buy local.

 

[Angels 2010]

I was thinking about trying the Brightwell Salt, I am having a hard time finding it at any local LFS. I am also curious about the DD. I have tried Get Tanked salt and liked it alot. I currently use Seachem Reef Salt and it is the only one besides the Get Tanked salt that I have used that did not create the brown slime in my make up water. I found it interesting that I went through a few of the top name salts and always had the slime. I just hate paying the shipping costs for heavy items like 18 bucks on top of the shipping bringing the cost way up. So I am looking to buy local.

I am going to try Coralife next time around. It is cheaper and I have heard a lot of good about it. I like the parameters on the Brightwell better than I thought I would.
I got 410-420 - cal, 10 - alk, and 1500 - mag. I had seen lower on the cal and Mg and higher on the Alk.

 

[Smartfish]

I am going to try Coralife next time around. It is cheaper and I have heard a lot of good about it. I like the parameters on the Brightwell better than I thought I would.
I got 410-420 - cal, 10 - alk, and 1500 - mag. I had seen lower on the cal and Mg and higher on the Alk.

I tried the Coralife in the begining and do not remember to much about it. Is that the one with the free t-shirt. I could always use free t-shirts, j/k. I may have to try it again.

 

[Angels 2010]

I think it is. But I think the one at Marine Depot is the boxes and not the bucket, but not sure.

 

[Angels 2010]

Okay here's the pics I sent to Chris:

 

[Angels 2010]

Ok, heard back from Chris already, and as I hoped and expected, it is nothing to worry about, just a bit annoying. Here is his response:
"Hello Dave,
Thank you. Indeed, what you are seeing are the insoluble particles I referred to in my previous e-mail. The abundance in the pail appears to be higher than one would normally see, and this is likely a result of variation in the anhydrous magnesium chloride that is used. The particles are completely inert; they are oxides of magnesium that form during the production process of that material. There is no reason not to use the resultant water that has been prepared.

Rather than use anhydrous magnesium salts, many manufacturers choose to use hydrated magnesium salts, which contain ammonia and heavy metals in many cases (depending upon the grade utilized). We prefer to go with the lesser of two evils, even though the anhydrous material costs an order of magnitude more than the hydrated material. I apologize for the appearance of these particles in the salt; we do our best to limit their prevalence but unfortunately it’s a natural aspect of the material itself that we have limited control over. Even if some of the particles were to enter the system, they would have no negative impact on anything.

Kindest regards,

Chris"