Why does my salt have this residue after mixing?

[JCOLE]

I am using Reef Crystal's. I have noticed lately after I mix a fresh batch up I have this particles floating on top. I also noticed that the walls and heater cords, etc have a brown film on them. I am using RODI water and mixing with a Jebao DC-12000 pump on high. After mixing for 24hrs on high then I lower it down to the minimum setting.

I cleaned my trash can a week ago and rinsed out with vinegar to remove any old residue.

Any ideas?

 

[roberthu526]

I have the same issue with reef crystal. Always have some residual at the bottom of the bin. Once I am done with this box I am going back to instant ocean. Pretty disappointed by the fact I paid more for worse results.

 

[DSC reef]

.

 

[WVNed]

There are a lot of people that think IO is fine. There are a lot that wont use it.
I am one of those. Yes, I have used both kinds but not any more.

 

[tehmadreefer]

There are a lot of people that think IO is fine. There are a lot that wont use it.
I am one of those. Yes, I have used both kinds but not any more.

IO is the most used salt by private and public aquaria and longest salt company in business providing salt for over 40 something years.


The residue is common and there are like gazillion threads on it in addition to the floating particulates that get mixed in or just scooped out

 

[WVNed]

IO is the most used salt by private and public aquaria and longest salt company in business providing salt for over 40 something years.


The residue is common and there are like gazillion threads on it in addition to the floating particulates that get mixed in or just scooped out

By all means. Use it. There are other salts. I use them.
The free market is wonderful.

 

[tehmadreefer]

By all means. Use it. There are other salts. I use them.
The free market is wonderful.

And I do...

 

[WVNed]

And I do...

I would have never guessed.

 

[Crabs McJones]

To each their own. Let's please keep the thread relevant to the op's question and not argue.

Thank you

 

[KrisReef]

I have heard that some salt makers use fine clay in their salts to keep it from clumping in the bag and so it will mix and dissolve easier. I have the same results with RC salts, and have been using very little mix lately since I can get filtered Pacific Ocean water for free from a public hose provided by a local aquarium. I don't have proof for the clay story but I have seen the same build-up in more than one mixing tank. The nasty build-up doesn't seem to cause problems with fish or corals that live in the water but it does take a toll on mixing pumps.

 

[Phil D.]

I use Red Sea Pro and reading the instructions, (if all else fails! LOL), it says not to let it mix for more than 4 hours. I noticed that when I let it mix overnight, (I use a powerhead and heater), I had a film on top of the water. So, I always try to use it right after mixing.

 

[Xam]

This is common with reef crystals. Elevated levels allow precipitation and I believe I read on the bag they add vitamins or aminos to the salt mix so that can attribute to the residue.

DSC Reef hit the nail on the head. Ive heard, read and seen this residue myself. With reef Crystal's, this is expected, and not something to be alarmed about as long as you dont let it build up too much.

In conversations I've had with my lfs owner, it also has something to do with the big vats they mix the dry salt in, and how its stirred... from the top or from the bottom. Some salt will have more of these additives, some not... but in the end it's not anything to worry about unless you want to worry about it... just another oddity in this most awesome hobby.

So if you dig IORC and can take the residue, by all means. If it bugs you to no end, try another salt.

 

[sfin52]

I have heard that some salt makers use fine clay in their salts to keep it from clumping in the bag and so it will mix and dissolve easier. I have the same results with RC salts, and have been using very little mix lately since I can get filtered Pacific Ocean water for free from a public hose provided by a local aquarium. I don't have proof for the clay story but I have seen the same build-up in more than one mixing tank. The nasty build-up doesn't seem to cause problems with fish or corals that live in the water but it does take a toll on mixing pumps.

That may explain it

 

[cracker]

I get a brown build up in my mixing barrel. I just keep refilling . Every so often I'll fill with tap , water & some bleach then wipe the sides & bottom . Iv'e not seen any issues at all.

 

[eggplantparrot]

I switched to Fritz RPM and its a lot cleaner. my white 5G bucket turned yellow from RC lol

 

[Bob Weigant]

I had it as well before I changed salts. After about a month I would clean it out with vinegar and tap water

 

[sfin52]

my five gallon buckets have residue. Ive never worried about it.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

I have heard that some salt makers use fine clay in their salts to keep it from clumping in the bag and so it will mix and dissolve easier. I have the same results with RC salts, and have been using very little mix lately since I can get filtered Pacific Ocean water for free from a public hose provided by a local aquarium. I don't have proof for the clay story but I have seen the same build-up in more than one mixing tank. The nasty build-up doesn't seem to cause problems with fish or corals that live in the water but it does take a toll on mixing pumps.

Exactly this. Some use anti-caking agents.


Binders and it’s affect on light absorption are discussed in a Reef.com article under section mystery substances

https://reefs.com/magazine/evaluating-synthetic-sea-salts/

 

[KorD]

I actually had a big ordeal and a great conversation with IO about this.. roughly 40+ emails between a chemist that works there and myself.

It is all due to precipitated levels of Cn and Mg. My issue was a bag of salt I came across would leave large amounts of residue in the bottom of my bucket.. the salt level would even drop over a 24 hour period. They said since it is inorganic that there should not be this problem, but after sending them samples from the bag and testing I did... We came up with the conclusion that the salt was old enough to have issues. They would not come out and say it, but the chemist basically told me to not keep salt for more then a year.