Ready mixed saltwater

[Emarley]

Hello fellow reefers,

Only been in the hobby for 10 weeks so sorry if this is a newbie question.
Usually buy my saltwater from lfs but been to a specialised marine shop for my ready mixed saltwater. After doing my water change found I’ve got all this left in the bottom of my container, is this normal and what is it?
Thanks in advance

Dom

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Hard to see, does it look like sand to you? And welcome to the reef2reef

 

[Emarley]

Hard to see, does it look like sand to you? And welcome to the reef2reef

Thank you,
Don’t know if these photos help but doesn’t look like sand

Dom

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Yep, not sand.

Could be lots of things. My first guess something from the LFS water. But that really does not narrow it down. My guess ranges from junk in his tank from poor maintenance , maybe precipitation or bacterial in nature?

We will have someone come along that may know more-a lot more than me ;Happy

 

[Peace River]

Hello fellow reefers,

Only been in the hobby for 10 weeks so sorry if this is a newbie question.
Usually buy my saltwater from lfs but been to a specialised marine shop for my ready mixed saltwater. After doing my water change found I’ve got all this left in the bottom of my container, is this normal and what is it?
Thanks in advance

Dom

No that shouldn't be normal. Are you willing to taste it? Just kidding (seriously, don't taste it!). Maybe smell it or rub it between your fingers - does it seem like discolored salt? Otherwise I would but it in the general category of unwanted corruption which probably isn't (but could be) harmful.

 

[Justin Cook]

If it's hard crusty stuff, it's just precipitation from the salt mixing. I recently switched brands and don't have that issue any more but for 10+ years, I had to regularly clean out my saltwater mixing station because it would accumulate this stuff. I wouldn't say it's totally "normal" but I've dealt with it plenty in the past and it's never been much of a problem.

 

[Emarley]

If it's hard crusty stuff, it's just precipitation from the salt mixing. I recently switched brands and don't have that issue any more but for 10+ years, I had to regularly clean out my saltwater mixing station because it would accumulate this stuff. I wouldn't say it's totally "normal" but I've dealt with it plenty in the past and it's never been much of a problem.

Thank you for the reply,
Sorry for newbie questions but what is precipitation from salt mixing?
There also seems to be (excuse my french) fish **** in my container.
Never had this from my lfs water, only occurred since I went to specialised marine shop, should I go back to getting water from lfs?

Thanks again

Dom

 

[cracker]

I'm guessing it's algae kinda stuff I get in my mixing barrel. I just wipe it out once in a while . I bet it has the consistency of soaked flake food . No reason why the guy who sells this water doesn't have the same stuff.
Think if Emarley ran it thru a filter sock it wouldn't end up in the tank ?
Would be best if it was home made but that's his call . @Emarley there are no stupid questions round here . I'd be concerned also !

 

[Peace River]

Thank you for the reply,
Sorry for newbie questions but what is precipitation from salt mixing?
There also seems to be (excuse my french) fish **** in my container.
Never had this from my lfs water, only occurred since I went to specialised marine shop, should I go back to getting water from lfs?

Thanks again

Dom

It is a valid question - not dumb at all. IMHO, it is a sign that the shop is sloppy. Not necessarily a reason to never go back, but I personally would choose a different source in the future because if they are sloppy with that then where else are they also careless?

 

[Mastiffsrule]

So we confirmed don’t taste it.

All kidding aside. A few questions. How big is the tank. If you are in need of a lot of water over time a reverse osmosis di ionized (rodi) filter may be worth it. If not, I would also see if the LFS would sells RODI water at a lower price.this way you get filtered water and can buy the salt on you own. May save money that way too and you can pick your salt choice and know what’s in it.

 

[Emarley]

So we confirmed don’t taste it.

All kidding aside. A few questions. How big is the tank. If you are in need of a lot of water over time a reverse osmosis di ionized (rodi) filter may be worth it. If not, I would also see if the LFS would sells RODI water at a lower price.this way you get filtered water and can buy the salt on you own. May save money that way too and you can pick your salt choice and know what’s in it.

My tank is a Fluval evo 13.5, just getting into the hobby but in time looking to upgrade to a 50 gallon,
At the same time we bought water got a clown goby but worrying it has got Ich...

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Let’s get some eyes on it. Hopefully not, but initial thought is yes. In the interim can you do a standard list of not only tank, but the ph, salinity, ammonia, basically anything you have tested for. Also if you did a QT of any sort.

@Frtdrmrose7 @ngoodermuth

 

[ngoodermuth]

It does look like ich :/

Ich (Cryptocaryon irritans)
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sh...-(Cryptocaryon-irritans).191226/&share_type=t

 

[Emarley]

Let’s get some eyes on it. Hopefully not, but initial thought is yes. In the interim can you do a standard list of not only tank, but the ph, salinity, ammonia, basically anything you have tested for. Also if you did a QT of any sort.

@Frtdrmrose7 @ngoodermuth

Tank is Fluval evo 13.5
Stocking is,
2 small clownfish
1 small green clown goby
1 turbo snail
2 cerith snails
1 peppermint shrimp
1 emerald crab
3 hermit crabs

Tests are (salifert kits)
Ph 8.4
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
Ammonia 0.15
Phosphate 0.03

Temp 76-77
Salinity 1.025

 

[ChiSox Rabbitfish]

marine specialized stores near me usually have things growing in there mixed water containers usually algae I’ve seen some with sponges and copepods living in there because they’ve been running for so long

 

[ScottR]

I have two bits of advice:
Find a better fish shop (perhaps shop online)

And just buy a bucket of salt and make your own water. You don’t necessarily have to use RODI water. You can get away with using either distilled or filtered water. I think that would be better than the crap you’re buying. By using their water, you’re potentially adding in parasites each time you throw their water in. Plus, you’re getting what ever bad stuff was already in their water.

 

[ChiSox Rabbitfish]

I have two bits of advice:
Find a better fish shop (perhaps shop online)

And just buy a bucket of salt and make your own water. You don’t necessarily have to use RODI water. You can get away with using either distilled or filtered water. I think that would be better than the crap you’re buying. By using their water, you’re potentially adding in parasites each time you throw their water in. Plus, you’re getting what ever bad stuff was already in their water.

Yes I agree I don’t buy from the LFS I use RO water in my tank no DI though which still works just as good

 

[Emarley]

I don’t have a QT so can I add something for Ich in my tank?
Are my clown fish at risk?
And my crabs, shrimp and snails?

Dom

 

[ScottR]

I don’t have a QT so can I add something for Ich in my tank?
Are my clown fish at risk?
And my crabs, shrimp and snails?

Dom

Ich is most commonly treated with copper. It’s safe for fish but not invertebrates. Any corals, shrimps, crabs, snails will die.