Saltwater Storage Advice

[pken40]

Hello,
I have a 32 gallon Brute trash can in basement where I premix water and store for water changes. I start with RODI water then heat it and then add Tropic Marin Pro salt to 1.025. I have the lid on trash can but not very tight and a hole to feed power cord for powerhead through. Very little light in basement. Do water changes every other week, so roughly going through slight below half every 2 weeks. Then fill after taking out for water changes, get salinity correct and wait for next water change. My problem is this, after a month or two what I imagine is algae building up on side walls. Right next to it is another Brute 32 gallon of RODI without salt and don't have that issue. What am I doing wrong in the saltwater mix?

 

[bobbravo2]

Making sure I understood the question: you imagine that algae grows, or it’s actually growing?

reason I ask: if it’s brand new salt water, and you don’t have organics/depleted RODI filters, I’m puzzled as to where the “food” for the algae is coming from. Have you tested your RODI for 0 TDS?

next potential source of algae: is the salt water being exposed to light? If it’s covered and it’s not being given any light, and there are no nutrients, I’m not sure how algae will grow. Hope this helps!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello,
I have a 32 gallon Brute trash can in basement where I premix water and store for water changes. I start with RODI water then heat it and then add Tropic Marin Pro salt to 1.025. I have the lid on trash can but not very tight and a hole to feed power cord for powerhead through. Very little light in basement. Do water changes every other week, so roughly going through slight below half every 2 weeks. Then fill after taking out for water changes, get salinity correct and wait for next water change. My problem is this, after a month or two what I imagine is algae building up on side walls. Right next to it is another Brute 32 gallon of RODI without salt and don't have that issue. What am I doing wrong in the saltwater mix?

If there is any elevated TDS and phosphates present, or light leakage- you will see algae

 

[pken40]

Making sure I understood the question: you imagine that algae grows, or it’s actually growing?

reason I ask: if it’s brand new salt water, and you don’t have organics/depleted RODI filters, I’m puzzled as to where the “food” for the algae is coming from. Have you tested your RODI for 0 TDS?

next potential source of algae: is the salt water being exposed to light? If it’s covered and it’s not being given any light, and there are no nutrients, I’m not sure how algae will grow. Hope this helps!

Thanks for your quick reply!
The stuff developing on the walls of my trash can appears to be brownish green which is easily wiped off.
My TDS meter shows 0
I use half every other week and refill.
Very little light in basement in that area and I do have cover on it
My RODI Brute trash can next to it (without salt) never has this problem
Maybe not algae but something else? Something with salt mix?

 

[bushdoc]

Thanks for your quick reply!
The stuff developing on the walls of my trash can appears to be brownish green which is easily wiped off.
My TDS meter shows 0
I use half every other week and refill.
Very little light in basement in that area and I do have cover on it
My RODI Brute trash can next to it (without salt) never has this problem
Maybe not algae but something else? Something with salt mix?

"Maybe not algae but something else? Something with salt mix?"
I totally agree, unlikely that algae would grow inside covered container in a basement. I suspect either bacterial film (but why?) or some salt precipitate.

 

[bobbravo2]

"Maybe not algae but something else? Something with salt mix?"
I totally agree, unlikely that algae would grow inside covered container in a basement. I suspect either bacterial film (but why?) or some salt precipitate.

Agreed with one of these! Maybe try another salt brand after a deep clean of the mixing container?