Brown Salt Water Storage Container - does it contaminate the Saltwater? Clean with Citric Acid??

[joe-ejs]

Hello,

Over the last several months, I have been making up a batch of salt water and storing it in 5gl jugs. The saltwater typically isn't stored moe than 2 weeks before I use. Today, when I used the saltwater for a water change, I noticed the bottom of the 5gl jug is brown. So two questions come to mind:
1.) Is it ok to use the saltwater that I am storing in the container? It is sealed and stored in dark closet.
2.) I am going to clean the 5g containers. Is Citric Acid mixed with water the best way to do so
3.) Lastly, I switched to Reef Crystals some time ago and read alot that it leaves residue in mixing containers. I had not noticed this before I switched from Fritz Blue Box salt. Should I switch back?...wasn't sure what is being added to my tanks from storing water in the containers.

Thanks

 

[Sabellafella]

I mean, some salts often times leave residual residue behind.

The way I look at it. It's better collected in the container, then making its way to your tank water that's for sure.

 

[dwest]

1. Yes.
2. Yes, a fine choice.
3. Either is fine. I use IO. Which is good as well.

 

[joe-ejs]

Sorry about the Emergency tag. How do I remove that? This is obviously not an emergency

 

[TheDuude]

I switched from reef crystals to regular IO for this reason. Added bonus is it's cheaper.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello,

Over the last several months, I have been making up a batch of salt water and storing it in 5gl jugs. The saltwater typically isn't stored moe than 2 weeks before I use. Today, when I used the saltwater for a water change, I noticed the bottom of the 5gl jug is brown. So two questions come to mind:
1.) Is it ok to use the saltwater that I am storing in the container? It is sealed and stored in dark closet.
2.) I am going to clean the 5g containers. Is Citric Acid mixed with water the best way to do so
3.) Lastly, I switched to Reef Crystals some time ago and read alot that it leaves residue in mixing containers. I had not noticed this before I switched from Fritz Blue Box salt. Should I switch back?...wasn't sure what is being added to my tanks from storing water in the containers.

Thanks

Most salts leave residues and not of harm. I wipe my bucket with a clean rag after use.

 

[jsker]

Sorry about the Emergency tag. How do I remove that? This is obviously not an emergency

Removed

 

[bud217]

Reef crystals has always left a brown residue behind for me. Never really caused an issue for me. And I actually just recently cleaned a white water tank with citric acid and it cleaned all the brown off pretty well.

 

[b.sandoval]

we

 

[HawkeyeDJ]

1/4 cup citric acid to 5 gallon jug of tap water. Leave it for 30 minutes and here are the results.