Storing Redsea Coral Pro

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Does anyone know of a way to keep RCP stable in its container once mixed? I've been using RCP for many years, love the salt, but want to try automating small (2-3 gallon) water changes a day. Predictably after mixing a batch per instructions and then waiting 24 hours to use it there are a bunch of precipitants in the mixing container and all the parameters are predictably low. I was hoping someone on Randy's Chem forum might have some insight.

Thanks!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Store it unheated and unstirred and you should be OK. Jason studied it and didn't find precipitation.

 

[Centerline]

Store it unheated and unstirred and you should be OK. Jason studied it and didn't find precipitation.

Well that would be easy. Thanks, Ill try that now and post how it worked out.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Here's his study:

Mixing time, Red Sea Coral Pro, and Precipitation Plausable? Mythbuster style
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/m...cipitation-plausable-mythbuster-style.260770/

 

[Damien Buckley]

That's weird. He first time I used RSCP I didn't RTFM and let it mix for hours like I did with blue bucket & it turned into a bucket of brown murk. Now I only mix for a half hour or so. After that it stores just fine but mixing for longer than a couple of hours and it precipitates. Maybe it's the higher ambient temperature here in Brisbane? It mixes much quicker and clearer in winter.

 

[Centerline]

That's weird. He first time I used RSCP I didn't RTFM and let it mix for hours like I did with blue bucket & it turned into a bucket of brown murk. Now I only mix for a half hour or so. After that it stores just fine but mixing for longer than a couple of hours and it precipitates. Maybe it's the higher ambient temperature here in Brisbane? It mixes much quicker and clearer in winter.

I usually mix it for a half our or so myself, adjust the salinity and use it within an hour. Over the years I have left it mixing for hours before and as you said, murk.

 

[Damien Buckley]

I usually mix it for a half our or so myself, adjust the salinity and use it within an hour. Over the years I have left it mixing for hours before and as you said, murk.

The first time it happened we were having our bathroom renovated and I thought the tiler had spilled grout in it and got proper cranky lol

 

[Centerline]

Here's his study:

Mixing time, Red Sea Coral Pro, and Precipitation Plausable? Mythbuster style
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/m...cipitation-plausable-mythbuster-style.260770/

Ok Man, so that worked. I mixed 20 gallons at 77 degrees for 30 min then tested parameters (calcium @ 460 - hanna / mag @ 1380 red sea / alk @ 13 - hanna / ph @ 8.5 - Neptune). Came in this morning and everything was pretty much the same @ 76 degrees and the water was crystal clear the only real difference was the ph falling @ 8.1. This was done at my office where the C02 during a 24 hour period averages 480 ppm, ph 8.2 and the tank temperature averages a steady 78 deg. The precipitation events I have personally see / caused happened at home where the C02 averages have been at 950 ppm over the last 6 weeks. Currently my tank at home has been taken down due to a remodel but my records show an average temp of 80 degrees, ph 7.9 (struggled to get it there) and nasty daily C02 spikes that are often in the 1600 + range. So my guess is that my mixing pump, a mag 950 elevating the temperature along with wonky PH due to the crazy C02 issues is what has been causing the precipitants. Does that sound plausible to you?

I really need a remedial chemistry class.