Crud in mixing bin with TMP salt?

[jacksin]

What is this in my mixing can? All over the sides and bottom. Using pro reef salt, rodi water, mixing in new Brute can that was cleaned with vinegar. Have been using this set up for a couple months. Brute can with plain rodi water is perfectly clean.

 

[Redfoxtang]

Never had a issue with Tropic Marin Pro. How long do you store it for and at what temperature? Could be calcium precipitation. Maybe others have had similar issues and can chime in!

 

[Idoc]

It's usually the anti-caking agent used in the salt. Many mix up like this... some don't though.

 

[jacksin]

I always have some water leftover after a water change. So there is always water in this can. I’ll add water and salt a couple days prior to a change and run a heater and pump for a couple days till the water change. The can is in a closet with the cover loosely on. There is also a nasty odor coming from this can. Could some type of mold be a possibility

 

[jacksin]

 

[mikereefing]

It's usually the anti-caking agent used in the salt. Many mix up like this... some don't though.

I read the same thing that it's an anti-caking agent. I've also read that it's the "carbon" that's included in the TMP salts, but I'm not sure if this is accurate. I had the same brown substance stain the jugs I used to store the salt water. It appears more in my batches that had a heater during mixing. FWIW I've never seen the brown "crud" flake off into my water or anything...it just stains my jugs until I clean it out with water + citric acid.

 

[Idoc]

I read the same thing that it's an anti-caking agent. I've also read that it's the "carbon" that's included in the TMP salts, but I'm not sure if this is accurate. I had the same brown substance stain the jugs I used to store the salt water. It appears more in my batches that had a heater during mixing. FWIW I've never seen the brown "crud" flake off into my water or anything...it just stains my jugs until I clean it out with water + citric acid.

I've noticed it mostly with IO Reef Crystals salt that was left mixing for a couple of days before use. I don't use that salt because of it. I used to use HW Marine Mix which never left a residue... just got tired of paying $76 for a box of salt! I use Regular IO now and don't have the residue issues either.

 

[jacksin]

I had the brown crud when I used to use RC. This looks more like a growth of some kind

 

[csb123]

If it is foul smelling, I bet it’s some sort of bacterial growth. Do you add any supplements to the mix? I added amino acids to my salt mix and 3 days later it was super funky.

 

[Sleeping Giant]

Could it be coming from the powerhead?
Looks like rust particles.

 

[jacksin]

The only thing added to the mix is a few ml of Randys part 1 to raise alkalinity a little. I do not see any signs of rust on the powerhead.
There is a definite odor

 

[homer1475]

Typical of most salts after being left to mix for a few days. Some are worse then others, but had always thought TMP used pharmaceutical grade additives and this wasn't an issue with them?

And the reason I started to run my water through a sediment filter. @Bulk Reef Supply did a video recently on it, let me see if I can find it.....


Jump to 13:30 if you don't want to watch the entire thing.

 

[jacksin]

Thx, this isn’t the typical brown crud. I’ve dealt with that in the past. This seems like a growth and has an odor

 

[josephxsxn]

I have had somthing similar happen in my mixing barrels. A black mold type growth above the waterline and following it as we drained the salt mix. Only saw this on my barrels we didn't clean frequently.

Not so sure your brown is the same, it doesn't appear to be to me.

 

[bcarl77]

I had very similar crude in my bin a while back as well. When I did my ICP test I found elevated levels of Al and Zn. Tank had no magnets that were compromised. My powerhead in the mixing bin (Korlia Nano) had a magnet still attached and it was corroded....

 

[csb123]

I wouldn’t worry about it’s safety for use, though. I’d wipe down the empty barrel with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide (if you can find it), or vodka. And just monitor if it keeps happening.

 

[RMS18]

Weird I had this when I used HW Marinemix and yes it had an odor. But I changed over to TMP and my container is super clean now. HW used to make my pump and heater wires slimy also.

 

[jacksin]

I do have a hydor pump in there and didn’t check the magnet just the impeller. I’ll check it when I get home

 

[melanotaenia]

Whatever that crud is, it did not come from the salt; there is something else contaminating your mixing barrel.

 

[bcarl77]

I do have a hydor pump in there and didn’t check the magnet just the impeller. I’ll check it when I get home

I have not seen this build-up sense. I will add that I was able to confirm it by running a Q-tip over the magnet and getting a rust like residue along with indentations in the magnet.