can we discuss the salt

[cmcoker]

Im not sure if theirs an article but it supposedly has added organics/vitamins that leaves the brown behind after a while

I always understood it to be that^^.
That's why I was interested to read about it having to do with GFO...

 

[AcroNem]

I always thought the residue leftover was a (harmless) clay like binder? Can't remember where I read that but thought that's what it was.

 

[Zane]

I always thought the residue leftover was a (harmless) clay like binder? Can't remember where I read that but thought that's what it was.[/QUOTE
I've used reef crystals for many years, and have never seen the brown residue people have mentioned

 

[Sabellafella]

I always thought the residue leftover was a (harmless) clay like binder? Can't remember where I read that but thought that's what it was.

It is harmless, i think its a chelatin technically it would overall be better for your tank, i like to have mixed saltwater always on hand and you cant do that with rscp, with reefcrystals after a while my 100g container would turn brown and its almost impossible for me to clean it

 

[jokim]

I use red sea pro.. been thinking of switching to HW, anyone use that here?

 

[Sabellafella]

I use Red Sea blue bucket. Fine parameters for my tank, mixes easily.
But biggest reason is I only buy a 55g bucket at a time, I usually mix around 20g at a time so the fact it is in a small bucket (not a box) makes it easier for me to carry (back problem), store, and close back up.

Question how is the regular red sea? Im mixing io and rscp together nd maybe want to try the regular rs. If you could can you supply me with the test results after you mix? And also does it precipitate if its mixed more then a day? I really want to get it i just dont see anyone or info about it

 

[cmcoker]

Question how is the regular red sea? Im mixing io and rscp together nd maybe want to try the regular rs. If you could can you supply me with the test results after you mix? And also does it precipitate if its mixed more then a day? I really want to get it i just dont see anyone or info about it

Sure, I have had no problems with precipitation, it sometimes sits for a week before I get around to it (usually no pump if this long, I will throw a pump in before the water change if it's been sitting just to aerate the water), I have also used it within hours of mixing. I've found the label pretty accurate but can test it next time I mix some up, probably this weekend. It's about 1/2c per gallon to mix to 1.026.

I also don't heat my salt mix, rodi is made, mixed, and stored indoors and is usually around 73°F.

I run DT with alk ~8.1, CA 400-420, Mag ~1350, dose kalk in ATO, use BRS to dose magnesium as needed usually if I have not been doing water changes as I should.

The blue bucket has done well for me in not having swings with water changes.

 

[Joe30326]

I use red sea pro.. been thinking of switching to HW, anyone use that here?

I use Hw reefer on my tank. Mixes quick and leaves a clean bucket

 

[spartanman22]

I've used IO Reef Crystals for the last 4 years. Before that I used regular IO. I used IO because it was cheap. When I started in this hobby I was a high school sophomore. I switched to Reef Crystals when I went SPS dominant, and I continue to use it because it's cheap, parameters are good, mixes well with no residue, and simply because I'm a creature of habit. I've used it for over 4 years and my tanks have done just fine. I see no reason to switch.

 

[Latino277]

Where did you find this out from? I would he interested in reading about it.

I attended a presentation yesterday that touched on this. I haven't had the time to confirm but the Idea makes sense. But to clarify, the residue is harmless. I'm not changing salts because of it.

 

[reefwiser]

Red Sea Blue bucket is great salt use it all the time.Mixes clean and always get the parameters bucket after bucket. I don't mix my salt till I need it not a fan of salt sitting around too long. Once the salt mixes clear it goes into the tank never a problem.

 

[Taservices]

Mine is an hour drive to the nearest place with red sea. But if I'm too lazy to drive I just order it through BRS and get the flat rate $4.99 3 day shipping through their preferred reefer program. I mean if I really wanted I could have it shipped free but the $4.99 i see as tax I would pay otherwise at the store also a lot less then fuel for a total of 2 hours driving. Salt is the same price at BRS as all the brick and motor stores but not having to drive saves me the gas money.

That is what is pay to get 2 boxes shipped through BRS. It is seriously not worth it, as I get it cheaper through my local brick an mortar by about 2 bucks (before shipping)

Besides, neither myself or any of my clients ever have issues, watch your levels and you will be good.

 

[cmcoker]

@Sabellafella found another red sea blue bucket user when browsing... https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/219178/

 

[kevantheman35]

I am currently using hw marine mix. I have tried many salt brands including reef crystals over the years. I stop with reef crystals mostly because of the brown sludge I was getting in my mixing container. I now choose salt brands that more closely match the parameters I am shooting for, especially alk. I felt that using a salt with boosted parameters like reef crystals I was limited in the size of water change I could do without shocking my system. I try to keep my alk between 8 and 9dkh and that is about where hw marine mix sits. I also like that it is a synthetic lab grade salt mix so there is no chance of trace phosphates like that of evaporated sea salt mixes. Other salts i am considering are red sea blue bucket mix and evs. I am an aquarist for a zoo and use tropic marin by the pallet load there. It seems to mix to decent levels as well.

 

[alexkharden]

To all those who use RC or RSCP, do you premix a supply for an AWC setup? If so, how does this salt store? I plan on mixing my salt in two week batches, and I'd like to know if it'll be a problem with some of the premium salts.

 

[Taservices]

To all those who use RC or RSCP, do you premix a supply for an AWC setup? If so, how does this salt store? I plan on mixing my salt in two week batches, and I'd like to know if it'll be a problem with some of the premium salts.

I can't speak for the RSCP as I haven't used it in a storage sense. But the RC stores alright, the only issue you will run into is a brown film forming over time as you mix batch after batch, but it is cleanable if you can access the inside of your mix container.

PS: Welcome to Reef2Reef!

 

[Jlobes]

That is what is pay to get 2 boxes shipped through BRS. It is seriously not worth it, as I get it cheaper through my local brick an mortar by about 2 bucks (before shipping)

Besides, neither myself or any of my clients ever have issues, watch your levels and you will be good.

this is confusing. why so much for shipping!? shouldnt it be free?
i just ordered two buckets of RSCP, and got free shipping. probably shouldve upgraded to the 3day $5 option, but didnt even think about that. ..

 

[Taservices]

I'm in Canada. BRS does ship to us but it's astronomical. Even the Canadian suppliers shipping salt and rocks will NEVER be below $50. Hence why I just use whats local. Especially since I get a box of RC for $52 Canadian at my local brick and mortar (cheaper than brs pre-shipping price anyway)

 

[alexkharden]

I can't speak for the RSCP as I haven't used it in a storage sense. But the RC stores alright, the only issue you will run into is a brown film forming over time as you mix batch after batch, but it is cleanable if you can access the inside of your mix container.

PS: Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Thank you :-) I've read a couple things about rscp that says it doesn't store well, but yours is the first I've read about rc, so that's good info to have. I was worried I was going to have to use regular io to be able to store it, and then dose for the differences.

 

[cmcoker]

To all those who use RC or RSCP, do you premix a supply for an AWC setup? If so, how does this salt store? I plan on mixing my salt in two week batches, and I'd like to know if it'll be a problem with some of the premium salts.

I currently use the blue bucket and only store for a week at most. Current bucket is a year old and no residue, No other issues.
I have used rscp in the past, and didn't have problems with storing that either.