Gray colored liquid blobs in nitrate dosing solution

[bitwise]

Bought a second bottle of ME Coral Nitrate dosing solution. It’s a mix of RO water and potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, and calcium nitrate.

When I first opened the new bottle I noticed there were grayish colored blobs of liquid in the bottle. I don't remember seeing this in the first bottle - pretty sure it was totally clear. I tried shaking it and the blobs dispersed a little bit but they are still visible. Is this normal for this product or a solution like this? The last thing I want to do is put my tank at risk, obviously. I tried getting in contact with the company a few days ago with no luck.

 

[Dan_P]

Bought a second bottle of ME Coral Nitrate dosing solution. It’s a mix of RO water and potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, and calcium nitrate.

When I first opened the new bottle I noticed there were grayish colored blobs of liquid in the bottle. I don't remember seeing this in the first bottle - pretty sure it was totally clear. I tried shaking it and the blobs dispersed a little bit but they are still visible. Is this normal for this product or a solution like this? The last thing I want to do is put my tank at risk, obviously. I tried getting in contact with the company a few days ago with no luck.

Sounds like the product is contaminated with an “oil”.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

Or contaminated with something that would cause bacteria to grow. I would hold off on using it until you hear from the people who made it. I would think it should be clear like any nitrate solution.

 

[SMSREEF]

I made my own potassium nitrate solution to dose.

It grew a big blob, but I am still using it to dose without issue. I’ll put a piece of the blob under the microscope and post a pic of what I see. I just assumed it was a bacteria that would die in saltwater but maybe that’s a mistake...

 

[bitwise]

Thanks for the replies folks. Blob might have been the wrong noun to use. They are more like randomly shaped masses that look more like something bacterial than just chemical. Almost like marine snow when you first pour it into your tank, the liquid sticks together until it’s broken down by the flow. I’ll get a pic. +1 though on not using it until I hear back.

 

[SMSREEF]

this is mine.

 

[Shirak]

looks like some sort of fungus growing? Could be bacteria..

Any tips on how to keep your diy nitrate and phosphate dosing fluids clear of unwanted bacteria and fungus?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

looks like some sort of fungus growing? Could be bacteria..

Any tips on how to keep your diy nitrate and phosphate dosing fluids clear of unwanted bacteria and fungus?

To prevent organism growth, you could make it concentrated enough, add salt, refrigerate it, or sterilize it by boiling.