I've had it!!!!

jlemoine2 · Dec 21, 2011

The brown stuff is not from impurities. It's calcium carbonate precipitation. It shows up around the sides of the bin because the salt is more concentrated in those areas while mixing (this will greatly depend on how you mix your water). Adding a heat source such as a power head or heater to the mixing bin also seems to aid in the precipitation. Given how some salt mixes, such as Reef Crystals, are very high in both alkalinity and calcium, it stands to reason there is going to be a greater chance of precipitation.

A while back, Randy Holmes-Farley did a detailed write-up on this very subject: What is that Precipitate in My Reef Aquarium? by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

westreef · Dec 21, 2011

I understand people don't like crud or residues on the mixing tub. But the important thing is whether the corals and fish are happy or not with the salt.

dougers31 · Dec 22, 2011

jlemoine2 said:
The brown stuff is not from impurities. It's calcium carbonate precipitation. It shows up around the sides of the bin because the salt is more concentrated in those areas while mixing (this will greatly depend on how you mix your water). Adding a heat source such as a power head or heater to the mixing bin also seems to aid in the precipitation. Given how some salt mixes, such as Reef Crystals, are very high in both alkalinity and calcium, it stands to reason there is going to be a greater chance of precipitation.

A while back, Randy Holmes-Farley did a detailed write-up on this very subject: What is that Precipitate in My Reef Aquarium? by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

I find it hard to believe that calcium precipitation comes in the form of brown slime.... I've always heard that the brown stuff is from the anti-caking(?) agent they use to keep the salt from becoming one big clump.

dougers31 · Dec 22, 2011

Quick update. I mixed up another batch of saltwater with the salt from the same bag. This time I used an airline as well as a mixing pump (maxi 1200), so far no brown slime:)

odie · Dec 23, 2011

Doug,
Jamie aka Odie here. What pump were you using before to mix?

brahm · Dec 23, 2011

I get residue after a while with every salt I've mixed. RC, IO, hW, RSCP, D+D. I just take some paper towels and clean out all bins after I do my water changes.

Hyprviperx · Dec 23, 2011

ive used reef crystals for years now and never had any of the issues of slime... i mix mine ina couple 5 gal buckets w/ ro/di water and an extra powerhead i had laying around(i think a maxijet). i do clean out my buckets after every water change also.