Reef Crystals Residue

Bugsy_Barboza · Nov 4, 2018

Just cleaned my mixing can. I don't know exactly how many gallons i change a week but I do 2 cups ( my personal salt bucket cup) of salt a week. Changed my filters on RODI unit today so cleaned everything and this build just seemed excessive, supposedly regular instant ocean doesn't leave this brown crud. Been thinking I may switch after I use what I got.

Old Fritz · Nov 4, 2018

Are you using the same bucket to drain into for your water changes?

Bugsy_Barboza · Nov 4, 2018

Nope thats all from fresh saltwater. I mix and pump straight to the tank from the brute.

cromag27 · Nov 4, 2018

Bugsy_Barboza said:
Just cleaned my mixing can. I don't know exactly how many gallons i change a week but I do 2 cups ( my personal salt bucket cup) of salt a week. Changed my filters on RODI unit today so cleaned everything and this build just seemed excessive, supposedly regular instant ocean doesn't leave this brown crud. Been thinking I may switch after I use what I got.

regular io can precipitate as well. it’s not harmful to your water it’s just ugly.

Bugsy_Barboza · Nov 4, 2018

Yeah my tank/water is fine, that was before I scrubbed it, I will say this brute has been in use for years. And its always been a mixing can. It is exactly that, just UGLY.

Bugsy_Barboza · Nov 4, 2018

I had read that the extra minerals in reef crystals is why this accumulates and regular IO is not as bad. But I'm unsure...

biecacka · Nov 4, 2018

My IO bucket has scum in it too. I heard it’s not harmful just ugly to look at so I don’t worry.

Corey

Eggs · Nov 4, 2018

I’ve dealt with this and Reef Crystals, hasn’t caused any harm.
Coincidencly I just cleaned up my salt mixing Brut, heater and pump yesterday because of the residue buildup.

Bugsy_Barboza · Nov 4, 2018

How often you clean it? I think that was maybe 3 months.

cgdcinc · Nov 4, 2018

I have noticed it does this more in the hotter months as my mixing station is on my porch outside in South Florida. When the weather cools off and I start using a heater to bring the fresh mix to temp, I don’t get as much in my can.
I have read it may be an anti caking agent to help keep the salt from clumping in the bags. It seems to precipitate more in hot weather when mixing. Has never had an ill affect on my tanks though.

Bugsy_Barboza · Nov 4, 2018

Could be because I cleaned it right before summer. And in nashville, tn Ill say the humidity is rough. And the station is in the garage. We have some neighbors moved up here from florida and say summers here are worse because theres usually no breeze but to me fl or tn... anyway in the south its extremely humid. We'll see how this goes for the winter.

Eggs · Nov 4, 2018

Bugsy_Barboza said:
How often you clean it? I think that was maybe 3 months.

I clean around every 3 months or so.

hart24601 · Nov 4, 2018

Reef crystals has various organics in it and compounds like EDTA most likely to help if people use tap water. Instant ocean doesn't have those and while it will precipitate it's not as brown. That being said RC is a good mix. I had a Triton test done on it few years ago and there was nothing abnormally high or low to be concerned about.

Salt1972 · Nov 4, 2018

I use Reef Crystals in a mixing station and have not had that residue issue.

Bugsy_Barboza · Nov 4, 2018

Where is your mixing station, inside or garage or what.... Wondering if it has something to do with the heat in the garage. Seems like the residue is pretty normal... Also how old is your mixing can?

Bugsy_Barboza · Nov 4, 2018

And its not a algae so to say its more like a coralline substance, not much comes off even when you do rinse. But like I said this can was bought back in 2014-2015 somewhere in there...

Salt1972 · Nov 4, 2018

Bugsy_Barboza said:
Where is your mixing station, inside or garage or what.... Wondering if it has something to do with the heat in the garage. Seems like the residue is pretty normal... Also how old is your mixing can?

Our is inside in a closet. There are shelves & water heater in there, but the room is mostly dedicated to the mixing station and quarantine tank. The mixing station has been in use for ~ 1yr. and we mix about 30 gallons every other week typically. Lately, we've been doing ammonia battle with our quarantine tank and mixing more.

Frogger · Nov 5, 2018

I have been getting the brown scum from both IO and Reef Crystals, actually more from IO. When I was at Macna I asked the Instant Ocean guy and he said it was likely clay from the site were they mine the salt.

I plan on changing to another brand once I have used up my current several bucket supply

Awesome Dennis · Nov 5, 2018

One of the reasons I've switched to fritz rpm. I can buy a 200gal box with a single bag inside for like 60$

Bugsy_Barboza · Nov 5, 2018

Something weird today I opened the RC I have it was sealed,still new. The outside of the bags inside had moisture on them. No hard rock pieces in the bags so I guess all bags are sealed but it was odd.

Bugsy_Barboza · Nov 5, 2018

Frogger said:
I have been getting the brown scum from both IO and Reef Crystals, actually more from IO. When I was at Macna I asked the Instant Ocean guy and he said it was likely clay from the site were they mine the salt.

I plan on changing to another brand once I have used up my current several bucket supply

That’s interesting. Seems like that would make sense I guess.... but isn’t all salt mined? Where is this mine I wonder?