Mixing salt water for too long

dangros · Jul 18, 2015

I just purchased some Red Sea Coral Pro salt mix in order to add some nutrients to the tank. I noticed it says NOT to mix for over 4 hours. I have been (and will continue to use IO and never saw that. I leave a powerhead running at the bottom of my 30g Brute trash can 24/7. Is this bad? Why does Red Sea instruct you to mix < 4hrs?
@Randy Holmes-Farley, I vaguely remember something you mentioned about the possibility of precipitation but I couldn't find the thread - plus I have a feeling you were talking about Ca and Kalkwasser, not salt.

Downbeach · Jul 18, 2015

I used to make my water starting the same day I did my WC's, about every two weeks, using RC. As a result, I would have some precipitation over that time due to the fact that I kept two PH's running all the time; one at the bottom for circulation and one at the top for aeration. Over many years of doing it this way, I knew I had to add 1 0z. of Randy's recipe #1 to get my Ca and Alk up to where my DT was. About every 6 month's I'd have to fill up the Brute with water and add some Muriatic acid to clean everything off.

Here is Red Sea's explanation:

redfishbluefish · Jul 18, 2015

It's a precipitation problem! HERE's a video from Red Sea that explains it.

watchguy123 · Jul 18, 2015

So why doesn't it precipitate in the display tank where it is being "mixed" 24/7 by the return and powerhead pumps?

redfishbluefish · Jul 18, 2015

The high alk and calc is diluted out by the tank water.

Downbeach · Jul 18, 2015

Another issue it the organics that they may be adding. Like RC, if you don't keep it aerated, you have the possibility of developing hydrogen sulfide over time.

dangros · Jul 18, 2015

The answer I was looking for! Thanks guys!!

NoStRaThOmAs · Jul 18, 2015

Downbeach said:
Another issue it the organics that they may be adding. Like RC, if you don't keep it aerated, you have the possibility of developing hydrogen sulfide over time.

NoStRaThOmAs · Jul 19, 2015

What kind of salt are you using?

reefwiser · Jul 19, 2015

IO salt doesn't have all the additives that Red Sea salt has. I only mix Red Sea at most an hour before use. As soon as it is clear it has totally mixed.

AZDesertRat · Jul 21, 2015

In 30+ years of reefkeeping I have never mixed saltwater longer than a couple of hours and normally it is less than an hour, only as long as it takes to get the pH, temperature and salinity to approximate my display. I tried mixing longer and keeping water longer than a day or two but it starts smelling and getting cloudy. I can make 150 GPD or RO/DI and keep at least 50 gallons of RO/DO on hand at all times so even in an emergency I can have mixed saltwater water quickly. I have used Red Sea, IO, Reef Crystals, Ocean Pure and prefer Oceanic still.

dangros · Jul 28, 2015

why oceanic?

scardall · Jul 28, 2015

Interesting about mix times. I circulate my new water untill It stabilizes in Salinity and temp. It usually takes 8+ hours . Salt takes quite some time to dissolve and temp to balance completely. If I push it to <2 hrs. my salinity will increase latter in my display tank. I added new water at same salinity as display. I only get a smell if I mix longer that 2 days but no cloudy water. I use RODI so that may have something to do with it. (my water is cloudy at first but clears up after several hours of mixing) Maybe it's because I use Instant ocean????

dangros · Jul 28, 2015

My water containers smell if sitting around for long time as well. I attribute it to mildew and/or algae that grows naturally. Temps in the garage may contribute - that's where the Brute cans and RODI are kept. Periodically (once every 3 mo or so), I empty the cans and wipe them down w/white vinegar. That removes the smell. I notice a slightly brown film on the paper towels. IO also took a few hours to stop moving up in salinity for me.

scardall said:
Interesting about mix times. I circulate my new water untill It stabilizes in Salinity and temp. It usually takes 8+ hours . Salt takes quite some time to dissolve and temp to balance completely. If I push it to <2 hrs. my salinity will increase latter in my display tank. I added new water at same salinity as display. I only get a smell if I mix longer that 2 days but no cloudy water. I use RODI so that may have something to do with it. (my water is cloudy at first but clears up after several hours of mixing) Maybe it's because I use Instant ocean????

scardall · Jul 29, 2015

I have my RODI in my garage and the water is stored in a 55g food grade drum with a lid on that had a vent on top and and it does not smell or have any taste to it. I have never cleaned it since I set it up with my RODI system. (15+ years) I have upgraded my RODI over the years. Now it is a 6 stage system W/DI. @dangros (for long term storage, maybe go with a food grade container instead) I may have been mixing my salt/water incorrectly for a long time, so I may need to make changes moving forward. I do get a brown film in my display tank when my carbon/GFO becomes saturated and or my sponges in my wet/dry need cleaning. (??? are you storing premixed water/salt for a long time???)))
PS: I'm glad this subject was brought up--I would not of consider I may have been mixing my make water incorrectly other wise. Thanks

After thought: Does everyone use a small circulation pump when mixing their salt/water???

NanaReefer · Jul 29, 2015

I've always allowed mine to mix with a ph for 24-48hrs before using. Using RC. No cloudiness. Would there be some signs of precipitation?

AZDesertRat · Jul 29, 2015

Oceanic because of cost, availability and its balance suits my reef system and calcium reactor well.

dangros · Jul 29, 2015

@scardall, I have 2 30gallon Brute trash cans which are rated for food. I close the top on both of them. After this thread, I will no longer leave a PH running in my salt water container - that could be the source of the contaminants. As for my RODI water, it's coming from a brand new Spectrapure MaxCap - which is pretty close to top of the line (Thanks for the recommendations @AZDesertRat!). So I have no idea where the gunk is coming from.

scardall · Jul 29, 2015

If i had to guess about the gunk formation. It is the mixture of the air with the water when you are using a circulation pump. No biological/mechanical filtration to do its thing. I remember on a couple of occasions I let my make up water sit with pump going for a week and I had slime coating on the walls of the container and a smell to the water then. @dangros PS: I wouldn't mind if you would let me know if not using a circulation pump in you RODI water containers solves your issues their. Good Luck