Saltwater storage drum help

[warmitupchriss]

I have a 55 gallon drum I use to store and mix saltwater. Inside the drum I have some pvc plumbing set up with a pump that circulates the water on kind of a closed loop system. I also have a powerhead in there to help with mixing. Everything is on a timer to run for about 30 minutes every 1 1/2 hours. I was using the Red Sea coral pro salt and after awhile the drum started to have a build up of what I thought was just calcium precipitate. Then the sides and bottom of the drum, as well as the pumps, started to get this like brown film on it. The water also smelled sort of "musty". I was using a trash can lid with insulation attached to keep the drum pretty sealed and prevent evaporation. I just dumped everything and did a vinegar bath. I'm gonna start this over again. Should I switch to a different salt? Ditch the lid? Circulate the water more often? All the above? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[nemo1017]

For what it's worth I mix in 5 gallon buckets when it's time for water changes and i noticed if I don't wash them out after each use they'll get the build up and smell you're talking about. I use reef crystals.

 

[Triggreef]

I get that in mine too it doesn't come off unless you touch it, I chalk it up to bacteria. Can't really avoid that it likes wet. I have very similar setup as yours I hard plumbed my water change pump in and use it to feed a couple different tanks as well as ato's depending on which valves are turned.

 

[warmitupchriss]

So don't worry about it? Would leaving the lid off/on do anything?

 

[nemo1017]

Leave the lid on, but if it bothers you that much then just clean them out periodically.

 

[jaws789832]

Dont want to debate salt mixes, but I was using reef crystals and was having the same problem. I was having to throw out the last 2-3 gallons at wc time because it was so murky and the barrel would have a brownish haze that I would have to clean every change. I switched to tropic marin pro and it mixes up clean, stays clean until I use it all (which is sometimes weeks), and I use every last drop. Its about twice as expensive but to me it seems worth it. Plus my parameters seem to be more in line with what my tank stays at.

 

[Ruckus16]

RSCP shouldn't be mixed more than 4 hours. says right on the directions.