Reef Crystals Brown color during mixing

[jdeb101]

I think a while back I seen a thread on this but dont remember the outcome. Whenever I mix Reef Crystals sw for my wc's, I get a brown color on the pump and buckets. I mix with IO water from either AA's or AG and let it mix for 24-48 hours.

Any ideas?

 

[JayM]

sounds like CA precipitating out. IIRC, that salt has higher alk,Mg and Ca than IO, and some might be coming out of solution during your mix. I have it on my WC pumps too.

 

[delta]

After you empty the buckets is there a slight slimey coat? If so clean your buckets and pumps.

 

[JeremyR]

In the end it's harmless.. how much brown stuff seems to vary by salt brand & batch.

 

[joanstone]

I've been getting that lately as well, it's nasty. It seems to be something more recent and I don't remember that as a problem while using Tropic Marin Pro.

 

[JeremyR]

IO has had this issue off & on too for many years.

 

[Jennifer]

I have had the same thing happen a few times in the past. At first it was just the occasional cloudy mix. Then I would have a lot of what looked like brown diatoms growing rather quikly in the mix. I had no clue what the cause was until one day the pump that I use stopped working. When I opened it up this is what I found.

I can only imagine the amount of iron I was putting into my system before finding the problem. I had cleaned this impeller a few months back and did not notice any problems. This may not be the reason for your mix going brown, but my mixes are back to being crystal clear without this pump in there.

 

[Greg Hiller]

Similar to Jeremy's experience, I get it with IO as well. Particularly over time and with many batches. Some calcium carbonate is definitely precipitating out, it brings with it some funky brown color. IMO, don't sweat it.

Maybe once a year I dump some acid into my mixing container and it all dissolves away. I do have to scrub a bit to remove the brown color.

 

[alpha0r]

I am having the same issue with RC. It is quite a bit and I need to clean the bucket after each use. I cover my bucket so I know it is not diatoms. I have thought about calling the manufacture but I have been to busy/lazy.

 

[jdeb101]

Ok Thanks for all the input, I feel better now. My pumps and buckets I keep pretty clean and I also cover the buckets while waters mixing. Thanks again guys.

 

[JeremyR]

One salt maker told me the brown stuff was "clay" as a byproduct of the magnesium additive for the salt.

 

[alpha0r]

One salt maker told me the brown stuff was "clay" as a byproduct of the magnesium additive for the salt.

Interesting...I would think IO and RC would use the same mag additive. I haven't bothered to test Ca/alk before and after to see if there is any difference.