Newly Mixed Saltwater is SUPER Cloudy - AquaVitro Salinity

[Rmckoy]

8:30 it was clear , I Tested and added the other 2 scoops of salt .
waited till 9:00 and tested salinity .
1.027 using Hanna salinity checker .

 

[Rmckoy]

9:00 pm salinity 1.027

 

[Brit’s Fish]

Every so often a bucket mixes dirtier. .
There was one a few years ago . Even left metallic flakes in the bottom of the mixing tote.
Could it be a old pump breaking down , or was there something in the salt ….. who knows .
but I will test parameters when i mix my new water .
It’s a new bucket too so hopefully clean

So I also get the metallic flakes… they look like glitter at the bottom of the can. Not sure what they are but that’s so much sediment left over, right?

 

[Brit’s Fish]

9:00 pm salinity 1.027

Do you ever get a film on top of newly mixed water? I had a foamy, brownish film and I ended up scooping it out. It could be the way I’m mixing the water, I suppose. I use a drill with a mixing attachment to swirl the water while I’m pouring the salt in. Once I have it to 1.026ish, then I turn the power head on and let it sit for a while. I usually end up using my water within a few hours after mixing it but this time, I let it sit overnight. The foamy film was gone the next day but there was still a shiny film. I had completely scrubbed the Brute can before filling it with RODI too, so I don’t think there was anything else in there. The power head is only a couple months old and the drill attachment has only ever been used for mixing water.

 

[frankny]

I don't have any experience with this salt, and one of the reasons I switched to Tropic Marin was because I didn't like how the Red Sea Coral Pro salt mixed. You could try leaving it for a day or two to see if it clears up, but it will probably dilute to some extent if you add to your tank (how cloudy it would make the water or how long it might take to dissipate is anyone's guess though).

I still have some of my German Tropic Marin salt left, but if I needed to do a massive water change I would probably use Instant Ocean Reef Crystals (this is one of the more popular brands at my LFS).

one of Tropic Marin salt came with carbon, it do required to use the salt mix instantly ,otherwise salt mix will turn cloudy cuz the bacteria bloom. should be not problem using it for water change!

 

[Rmckoy]

Do you ever get a film on top of newly mixed water? I had a foamy, brownish film and I ended up scooping it out. It could be the way I’m mixing the water, I suppose. I use a drill with a mixing attachment to swirl the water while I’m pouring the salt in. Once I have it to 1.026ish, then I turn the power head on and let it sit for a while. I usually end up using my water within a few hours after mixing it but this time, I let it sit overnight. The foamy film was gone the next day but there was still a shiny film. I had completely scrubbed the Brute can before filling it with RODI too, so I don’t think there was anything else in there. The power head is only a couple months old and the drill attachment has only ever been used for mixing water.

Sometimes I also get a brown sludge like film but every bucket is different for some weird reason .
I fill the brute with rodi water .
I use a dc9000 jeabo pump for mixing ( a little over kill ) and slowly pour each scoop of salt in
I have always let it mix over night at min . Most times it’s a few days before using .
7:30 am the water is clear
When my water change is complete I’ll take another picture of inside the mixing brute to see if any residue or sludge was left behind. So far this new bucket I just opened seams to
Mix clean

 

[Rmckoy]

So I also get the metallic flakes… they look like glitter at the bottom of the can. Not sure what they are but that’s so much sediment left over, right?

That is a insane amount of metallics .
you did mention it was a newer pump used to circulate and mix ?

when first adding the salt to the water . Mine seams to have a chemical smell .

 

[Cell]

Metallic flakes? Might need some guidance from @Randy Holmes-Farley as to what those may actually be.

 

[Rmckoy]

30 gal Water change complete .
a few things make me wonder .

1 after mixing at proper salinity ( 1.026 ) over night the water was clear .

but 2 after water change was complete I did notice in the bottom of the mixing container .
I also have metallics in the bottom .
What are they , where do they come from ?

no brown sludge this time though

 

[Sean Clark]

I am getting more curious now. I am going to mix up a 30 gallon batch now and see what I find. The two buckets I have left are both from lot #102166.00

 

[Rmckoy]

I am getting more curious now. I am going to mix up a 30 gallon batch now and see what I find. The two buckets I have left are both from lot #102166.00

Where do you find the lot number ?

 

[Rmckoy]

220 gal large bucket or 120 gal size ?

 

[Sean Clark]

Where do you find the lot number ?

220 gal large bucket or 120 gal size ?

Top right LEFT side of the analysis sticker just under the barcode. I have the 220 gallon buckets but it should be in the same spot on any of the stickers.

 

[Uncle99]

So I also get the metallic flakes… they look like glitter at the bottom of the can. Not sure what they are but that’s so much sediment left over, right?

Looks like precipitate to me, both CA and Alk coming together quickly, low MG can contribute to that.

 

[Rmckoy]

Found lot number .

Top right side of the analysis sticker just under the barcode. I have the 220 gallon buckets but it should be in the same spot on any of the stickers.

top
Left ?

 

[Rmckoy]

Top right side of the analysis sticker just under the barcode. I have the 220 gallon buckets but it should be in the same spot on any of the stickers.

Now I need to ask …

how many of these empty buckets do you hang onto before disposing of or donating them to someone in need ?

 

[Sean Clark]

Found lot number .

top
Left ?

Lol right left details details...

 

[Sean Clark]

Now I need to ask …

how many of these empty buckets do you hang onto before disposing of or donating them to someone in need ?

I have a a few of the tall ones that usually have clean filtersocks in them and a few of the medium ones. The medium one are super handy for basicly anything wet because they don't get too heavy. The lids are what makes them super convenient for keeping around. The older ones make it out the the garage to collect junk in them.

 

[Rmckoy]

I have a a few of the tall ones that usually have clean filtersocks in them and a few of the medium ones. The medium one are super handy for basicly anything wet because they don't get too heavy. The lids are what makes them super convenient for keeping around. The older ones make it out the the garage to collect junk in them.

I have about 10 of them stacked in the tool shed .
The tall ones are too heavy and more often they are donated to anyone needing a bucket with a nice lid .
the med ones are very handy for anything from somewhere to put rocks , moving fish etc

 

[Brit’s Fish]

I’ll check my lot number as well!