The Crud

tkd · Oct 2, 2021

Not sure if this is the right section of the forum to post this one in, but here it is.

I am trying to figure out what is coating my heaters and nano powerheads after every time I mix salt. I have to clean them after every use now. I have been using the same brand of salt for several years. I make my own RODI water via a 7-stage system and system is maintained. I have never had this problem before up until a few months ago and have been mixing salt for years.

Any thoughts what could be coating my heaters and powerheads every time I mix salt lately.

Timfish · Oct 2, 2021

For starters based on what I've seen I feel pretty safe thinking manufacter's change their formulas and/or manucactering processes periodicly that result in some compontes either not mixing as well or presipitating or settling out faster. I've also seen older equipment develop films faster than newer equipment and differences in water temperature seem to be a factor as well. I'd hazard a guess it's a combination and FWIW if it was my equipment I wouldn't go through the hassle of cleaning after every batch of saltwater, especiall if slanity and alkalinity were good. Out of curiosity, do you test the source water and filtered water occasionally between doing maintenance on your filter or just when you replace elements?

tkd · Oct 2, 2021

Timfish said:
For starters based on what I've seen I feel pretty safe thinking manufacter's change their formulas and/or manucactering processes periodicly that result in some compontes either not mixing as well or presipitating or settling out faster. I've also seen older equipment develop films faster than newer equipment and differences in water temperature seem to be a factor as well. I'd hazard a guess it's a combination and FWIW if it was my equipment I wouldn't go through the hassle of cleaning after every batch of saltwater, especiall if slanity and alkalinity were good. Out of curiosity, do you test the source water and filtered water occasionally between doing maintenance on your filter or just when you replace elements?

Hi Timfish thanks for your reply. Good point that the manufacturer may have changed the formula or manufacturing process. It was a thought that crossed my mind. I heat my water up to temperature before adding my salt and mix over night before water changes. Yes, salinity and alkalinity is good. I have tested the filtered water when I change filters, etc... for chlorine/chloramine. phosphates and TDS is zero. I have tested the source water for chlorine/chloramines once. Not finding anything out of the ordinary, but also don't test the filtered water or source water on a regular basis.