Daily AWC saltwater storage

[GoBlue923]

Do not fall for that misinformation.

You're well respected in the community so what would your advice be? Currently I'm considering switching to Tropic Marin because the BRS video appears to show of all the salts they tested it produced the least amount of precipitate reducing the frequency that I would have to clean my fresh saltwater tank. Plus most of what I've read during my internet searches is that it's a highly regarded salt mix. My initial inquiry was out of concern that the brown sludge might be something dangerous that could be entering into my reef tank via my AWC. Now the consensus seems to be it's most likely not harmful but rather precipitate of some sort from the salt I'm not as concerned however I would still want to clean it out regularly. I'm very new to this hobby (one year under my belt) and appreciate the knowledgeable people on these forums. Any advice or suggestions would greatly appreciated.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

IMO, precipitate is not something to worry about, unless the alk drops below your target.

I used normal IO in an AWC for many years and it was fine. So would most salt mixes be fine. There’s no need for the new salt water to match the tank in a slow and steady AWC setting. No need to heat or aerate it after mixing either.

I’ve yet to see much evidence that the specific salt mix used by a reefer has much impact on the success of the tank. There are some, like reef crystals, that’s I avoid due to the organics in them, especially in an awc setting where I don’t want to keep the water aerated for weeks.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, I let the precipitated calcium carbonate accumulate for years in my mixing barrels. I have pictures of it in one of my articles:
What is that Precipitate in My Reef Aquarium? by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

Figure 1. The residue on the bottom of the plastic trash can that I use to mix Instant Ocean. I rarely clean it out. The solid is most likely calcium carbonate

 

[Susan Edwards]

I still prefer my salt for my big container to not have the added anti-caking or whatever as I can't, without a lot of effort, clean that 60g container out. For the AWC brute it matters little if it turns brown in there as I can scrub and hose it out whenever I want. I use IO in that container and Fritz in the big one.

The article, as are most articles, was one persons/stores reviews/opinions on various salts--pros and cons. I don't see it as misinformation but a place to start in choosing salts as they are not promoting 1 specific brand (or their own if they had one). I found it helpful as a guide.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The article, as are most articles, was one persons/stores reviews/opinions on various salts--pros and cons. I don't see it as misinformation but a place to start in choosing salts as they are not promoting 1 specific brand (or their own if they had one). I found it helpful as a guide.

But there’s no evidence that any salts use clay or that the precipitate in normal IO is anticaking agent.

This is one of the bits of misinformation this store dispenses:

“The mix also has anti-caking agents which will turn your buckets and holding vats brown over time with crud making non-ideal to use for those who like to store saltwater.”

In fact, it is not, and hence the store opinion piece is spouting misinformation, perhaps to push more expensive brands. Do they believe it is true? Maybe.

In any case, the misinformation is easily disproven in the case of normal IO. It is not an anticaking agent that precipitates. Add a little muriatic acid to normal IO and ALL precipitation and solid formation is prevented. Crystal clear salt mix,m. It is is something some reefers do regularly and I have seen the pictures.

 

[Susan Edwards]

But there’s no evidence that any salts use clay or that the precipitate in normal IO is anticaking agent.

In fact, it is not, and hence the store opinion piece is spouting misinformation, perhaps to push more expensive brands. Do they believe it is true? Maybe.

In any case, the misinformation is easily disproven in the case of normal IO. It is not an anticaking agent that precipitates. Add a little muriatic acid to normal IO and ALL precipitation and solid formation is prevented. Crystal clear salt mix,m. It is is something some reefers do regularly and I have seen the pictures.

I don't see this article as them pushing for any brand, let alone an expensive brand, as the article lists the top 10 salts they rated in 2022 with buying links for amazon as well as their site. They are offering a review on various salts, giving pros and cons. And specs to allow the reader to choose a salt that best matches their own tanks. Btw, this article is also published here https://aquariumlabs.com/best-reef-salt/ Again, it is just a review of various top salts and not a push for specific brands.

I have used IO for years and dealt with brown sides and bottom. I'm using now for awc's. Fritz was clean. No residue. So whatever they call it, whatever causes it, I prefer to not have a build up of stuff in my big mixing container. The brute is fine.

Also anti-caking agents are used in table salts, flour, sugar, spices, powders etc. Just google aniti-caking agents. So I can believe some salt manufacters use something in their salts to prevent clumping. Not saying they do but unless they publish all ingredients, who knows. But at least I can read reviews to see what salt mix might meet my tanks needs

 

[GoBlue923]

But there’s no evidence that any salts use clay or that the precipitate in normal IO is anticaking agent.

This is one of the bits of misinformation this store dispenses:

“The mix also has anti-caking agents which will turn your buckets and holding vats brown over time with crud making non-ideal to use for those who like to store saltwater.”

In fact, it is not, and hence the store opinion piece is spouting misinformation, perhaps to push more expensive brands. Do they believe it is true? Maybe.

In any case, the misinformation is easily disproven in the case of normal IO. It is not an anticaking agent that precipitates. Add a little muriatic acid to normal IO and ALL precipitation and solid formation is prevented. Crystal clear salt mix,m. It is is something some reefers do regularly and I have seen the pictures.

Do you know where one would find info on the muratic acid ratio to add to saltwater? I have a salt pool so I have muratic acid readily available.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I don't see this article as them pushing for any brand, let alone an expensive brand, as the article lists the top 10 salts they rated in 2022 with buying links for amazon as well as their site. They are offering a review on various salts, giving pros and cons. And specs to allow the reader to choose a salt that best matches their own tanks. Btw, this article is also published here https://aquariumlabs.com/best-reef-salt/ Again, it is just a review of various top salts and not a push for specific brands.

I have used IO for years and dealt with brown sides and bottom. I'm using now for awc's. Fritz was clean. No residue. So whatever they call it, whatever causes it, I prefer to not have a build up of stuff in my big mixing container. The brute is fine.

Also anti-caking agents are used in table salts, flour, sugar, spices, powders etc. Just google aniti-caking agents. So I can believe some salt manufacters use something in their salts to prevent clumping. Not saying they do but unless they publish all ingredients, who knows. But at least I can read reviews to see what salt mix might meet my tanks needs

Ok,you believe what you will, but if folks try to claim that calcium carbonate precipitate is an anticaking agent, I’ll continue to post that it isn’t, and provide evidence to that effect.

I also see the link you posted as misinformation and stand by that claim. It is not just a list of facts. It expresses opinions.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Do you know where one would find info on the muratic acid ratio to add to saltwater? I have a salt pool so I have muratic acid readily available.

Sure, there are quite a few threads on lowering salt mix alk with muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate.

Muriatic acid?

Can I use this to lower ALK in freshly mixed saltwater.? Do I just add a little bit at a time and test until it gets to the level I would like it?

www.reef2reef.com

Sodium Bisulfate to Reduce Alkalinity in New Salt Water or in Display Tanks

I just want to record these calculations in their own thread to refer back to in other threads. When alkalinity is too high in new salt water or in a display tank, acid can be used to lower the alkalinity. You can easily use muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid), or sodium bifulfate (e.g...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Gatorpa]

Sure, there are quite a few threads on lowering salt mix alk with muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate.

Muriatic acid?

Can I use this to lower ALK in freshly mixed saltwater.? Do I just add a little bit at a time and test until it gets to the level I would like it?

www.reef2reef.com

Sodium Bisulfate to Reduce Alkalinity in New Salt Water or in Display Tanks

I just want to record these calculations in their own thread to refer back to in other threads. When alkalinity is too high in new salt water or in a display tank, acid can be used to lower the alkalinity. You can easily use muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid), or sodium bifulfate (e.g...

www.reef2reef.com

Seems like that’s one problem few people would need to worry about.

 

[Garf]

I don't see this article as them pushing for any brand, let alone an expensive brand, as the article lists the top 10 salts they rated in 2022 with buying links for amazon as well as their site. They are offering a review on various salts, giving pros and cons. And specs to allow the reader to choose a salt that best matches their own tanks. Btw, this article is also published here https://aquariumlabs.com/best-reef-salt/ Again, it is just a review of various top salts and not a push for specific brands.

I have used IO for years and dealt with brown sides and bottom. I'm using now for awc's. Fritz was clean. No residue. So whatever they call it, whatever causes it, I prefer to not have a build up of stuff in my big mixing container. The brute is fine.

Also anti-caking agents are used in table salts, flour, sugar, spices, powders etc. Just google aniti-caking agents. So I can believe some salt manufacters use something in their salts to prevent clumping. Not saying they do but unless they publish all ingredients, who knows. But at least I can read reviews to see what salt mix might meet my tanks needs

brown sides and bottom

I get this, it appears to be bacterial.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Seems like that’s one problem few people would need to worry about.

People wanting to use high alk mixes like IO, but not have the high alk, do it.

 

[spsick]

@Randy Holmes-Farley is there any reason lowering the alk of IO used in water changes via AWC is preferable to just reducing the amount of alk dosed to the tank via 2 part?

Seems like more steps and more products consumed.

Obviously for manual and larger water changes I see the importance of matching alk to tank…

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

@Randy Holmes-Farley is there any reason lowering the alk of IO used in water changes via AWC is preferable to just reducing the amount of alk dosed to the tank via 2 part?

Seems like more steps and more products consumed.

Obviously for manual and larger water changes I see the importance of matching alk to tank…

Well, two possibilities that I can see.

Lowering the alk in IO reduces or eliminates calcium carbonate precipitation in the storage container, which may help other elements remain in solution rather than bound to the calcium carbonate. How much of an issue that is, I am not sure.

While not an advantage in an AWC scenario where changes are done slow and steady, having the tank close to the new salt water alk prevents a larger than desired alk rise when doing a large manual water change.

 

[spsick]

Well, two possibilities that I can see.

Lowering the alk in IO reduces or eliminates calcium carbonate precipitation in the storage container, which may help other elements remain in solution rather than bound to the calcium carbonate. How much of an issue that is, I am not sure.

While not an advantage in an AWC scenario where changes are done slow and steady, having the tank close to the new salt water alk prevents a larger than desired alk rise when doing a large manual water change.

Awesome yeah that makes sense about keeping everything in solution. Just brainstorming if I’m using acid to lower alk when I could just be dosing less and not deal with handling and storing acid. I handle them at work so not scared of it just not wanting to deal with it at home for a multitude of reasons.