Which Salt Mix Stores the Best?

[BanjoBandito]

Red sea salt is another opt

I have a hard time finding blue box locally. It's either IO or fritz blue box around here.

 

[homer1475]

I've never used it, but have read good things about fritz.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Reef Crystals had the organics problem, IMO. If you think they are useful, that will decline over time. My concern is the water becoming anaerobic from bacterial metabolism if them if not aerated.

I mixed about 25 gallons over a week ago and then did not end up doing a water change. Today I took the top off the brute can (not sealed, just covering it to keep out dust, the cats, etc), and aside from a small amount of surface scum, I did not notice anything unusual. No odor at all. @Randy Holmes-Farley , if there were bacteria present, shouldn't something be off?
I understand you were citing general concerns, but after adding circulation and heating it to 77F, I'm going to test the Alk-Ca-Mg and will probably use it if they're not way off. Any thoughts on other things to look for?

 

[Steve2020]

Maybe I'll just play scientist and test it a few times prior to using after storing for awhile. I like my ALK around 9, but I don't know if there's any salt out there that will hold that ALK when stored? Not sure. I got all these reef crystals though (200 gallon bucket for 29 bucks! kakaw!) so I'll probably use it up.

I have been using HW Marinemix Reefer since day one and I make 90 gallons at a time and use about 30gal per month. I never heat it but I do recirculate 24/7 with a Reef Octopus VarioS 4 and parameters stay constant the entire time. Alk 9.0, Calcium 455 and Mag 1505 at a salinity of 35ppt. Tank is sealed and with a pressure relief valve. Mag is tested with Salifert so may not be accurate but Alk and Calcium are tested with Hanna testers which I find to be accurate and consistent as long as you use proper testing procedures.

 

[Johny_Dough]

I have been mixing 65 gallons at a time and storing cover… go through it in about a month or two then make a new batch… any real reason to have to keep the water moving? I’ve just been mixing and heating before water charges..,

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I have been mixing 65 gallons at a time and storing cover… go through it in about a month or two then make a new batch… any real reason to have to keep the water moving? I’ve just been mixing and heating before water charges..,

Reef Crystals or another brand?

 

[Iwannaflyguy]

I have dismissed my original plans of mixing 50g of saltwater and storing for my AWC system on my current setup. This is due to finding bacterial and fungal growth due to the presence of organics in the salt mix. I used Red Sea at the time. I like the mix but it contains amino acids and I believe some carbohydrates as well. This promotes microbial growth during storage which not only depletes many of the beneficial components, but also can lead to toxin and metabolic waste accumulation. The only way to store for an extended period of time was to sterile filter the solution into a sterile container. This is obviously beyond the capability of most reef keepers. I have resorted to mixing within days of use.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I have dismissed my original plans of mixing 50g of saltwater and storing for my AWC system on my current setup. This is due to finding bacterial and fungal growth due to the presence of organics in the salt mix. I used Red Sea at the time. I like the mix but it contains amino acids and I believe some carbohydrates as well. This promotes microbial growth during storage which not only depletes many of the beneficial components, but also can lead to toxin and metabolic waste accumulation. The only way to store for an extended period of time was to sterile filter the solution into a sterile container. This is obviously beyond the capability of most reef keepers. I have resorted to mixing within days of use.

How did you determine there was bacterial/fungal growth?

 

[Johny_Dough]

I have been mixing 65 gallons at a time and storing cover… go through it in about a month or two then make a new batch… any real reason to have to keep the water moving? I’ve just been mixing and heating before water

Reef Crystals or another brand?

First bucket was Red Sea Coral pro. Alk never read above 7.5 but was consistent most resent is tropic marine pro… didn’t test alk going in but after water change didn’t see a swing.

 

[BanjoBandito]

First bucket was Red Sea Coral pro. Alk never read above 7.5 but was consistent most resent is tropic marine pro… didn’t test alk going in but after water change didn’t see a swing.

That’s wild usually the pro has an alk of 11-12

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I mixed about 25 gallons over a week ago and then did not end up doing a water change. Today I took the top off the brute can (not sealed, just covering it to keep out dust, the cats, etc), and aside from a small amount of surface scum, I did not notice anything unusual. No odor at all. @Randy Holmes-Farley , if there were bacteria present, shouldn't something be off?
I understand you were citing general concerns, but after adding circulation and heating it to 77F, I'm going to test the Alk-Ca-Mg and will probably use it if they're not way off. Any thoughts on other things to look for?

if you are aerating it, I’m not sure bacterial degradation will smell, nor do I have a reason to worry since I doubt the vitamins are useful anyway. I preferred to store my water unstirred.

 

[paul barker]

Maybe I'll just play scientist and test it a few times prior to using after storing for awhile. I like my ALK around 9, but I don't know if there's any salt out there that will hold that ALK when stored? Not sure. I got all these reef crystals though (200 gallon bucket for 29 bucks! kakaw!) so I'll probably use it up.

Redsea blue bucket works for me runs around 8.8 to 9 most of the time

 

[paul barker]

I like redsea blue bucket I did use redsea pro for a while but just to high I ALK I do use all redsea see products

 

[Iwannaflyguy]

How did you determine there was bacterial/fungal growth?

I am a microbiologist and tested the water to see how well it was storing. I discovered increasing bacterial load and also fungal spores.

 

[Johny_Dough]

That’s wild usually the pro has an alk of 11-12

yeah the whole bucket was like that... unless I was doing something wrong... which I generally don't rule out...

 

[BanjoBandito]

yeah the whole bucket was like that... unless I was doing something wrong... which I generally don't rule out...

Give yourself some credit! It’s quite the accomplishment to precip out 5 dkh!

 

[spsick]

I have dismissed my original plans of mixing 50g of saltwater and storing for my AWC system on my current setup. This is due to finding bacterial and fungal growth due to the presence of organics in the salt mix. I used Red Sea at the time. I like the mix but it contains amino acids and I believe some carbohydrates as well. This promotes microbial growth during storage which not only depletes many of the beneficial components, but also can lead to toxin and metabolic waste accumulation. The only way to store for an extended period of time was to sterile filter the solution into a sterile container. This is obviously beyond the capability of most reef keepers. I have resorted to mixing within days of use.

This is really interesting did you test any other salt mixes or just give up on the AWC idea?