Storing water for a water change... question

[mcarroll]

Here's a video that explains how to mix rscp, however my results were different. I experienced way more than 2% of elements ca, mg and alk. I also mixed it at room temperature, shut off the mixing pump after 2 hours, then stored it heated at 78 degrees. the water didn't turn cloudy but I got major precipitation. on one batch I even tested the elements right after mixing to make sure it was a good batch of salt. still got precipitation after storing it for a week. went back to instant ocean, no issues.

Maybe I'll try this salt someday just to see if it really behaves that differently, but with others I've used 2 hours is way too long (due to heating), and heating with a heater is also known to be a bad idea....both due to precipitation.

Again, I'd recommend mixing and using the salt literally after about 5 minutes. Only adjust the temperature in extreme cases and ONLY make temperature adjustments to the RODI water, not the mixed saltwater.

I never store saltwater, I found it gets slimy, precipitates and smells after just a couple days.

I believe you but I don't understand how it's possible.

I've stored used waterchage water from an algae-ridden tank for almost a year in 5 gallon buckets and while I didn't test the water for parameters, when I opened the buckets there was nothing apparently changed about it from the day it went in the bucket. Certainly no smells or slime or sediment.

I've never kept fresh-mixed saltwater that long, but I have for a few weeks....still nothing like what you described.

Weird!

Maybe it's just a Red Sea issue....or a sanitary issue? I can't say my 5 gallon buckets were particularly clean though. Hrm.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

I've even tried mixing it for 15 mins and it still precipitated after a week in storage. and I was storing it in airtight containers. I experimented mixing/storing it at least 5 different ways. all of them precipitated tremendously.

Maybe I'll try this salt someday just to see if it really behaves that differently, but with others I've used 2 hours is way too long (due to heating), and heating with a heater is also known to be a bad idea....both due to precipitation.

Again, I'd recommend mixing and using the salt literally after about 5 minutes. Only adjust the temperature in extreme cases and ONLY make temperature adjustments to the RODI water, not the mixed saltwater.



I believe you but I don't understand how it's possible.

I've stored used waterchage water from an algae-ridden tank for almost a year in 5 gallon buckets and while I didn't test the water for parameters, when I opened the buckets there was nothing apparently changed about it from the day it went in the bucket. Certainly no smells or slime or sediment.

I've never kept fresh-mixed saltwater that long, but I have for a few weeks....still nothing like what you described.

Weird!

Maybe it's just a Red Sea issue....or a sanitary issue? I can't say my 5 gallon buckets were particularly clean though. Hrm.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Well I did some investigating and apparently red sea changed their rscp formula a few years ago. precipitation can happen if mixed at higher than room temps and/or if mixed too long (longer than it takes to dissolve the salt). if you follow those directions the saltwater can now store for several weeks like most other salts.

 

[mcarroll]

Nice digging!

I wonder what the difference was?

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Not sure but I raised a fuss about it 4 (or so) years ago and they just said that's how it is. so I'm glad they changed things.

Nice digging!

I wonder what the difference was?

 

[aquablizz]

can someone please tell me what "precipitation" is?? I've had a SW fish only tank for 20 years and never ran across this term...

Thanks again for all your input.
Blizz

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

There are different types. this article can explain it all way better than I can.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/rhf/

can someone please tell me what "precipitation" is?? I've had a SW fish only tank for 20 years and never ran across this term...

Thanks again for all your input.
Blizz

 

[aquablizz]

Good article.. Thanks Cromag