Please help - what has happened to my mixed saltwater???

[FishieBusiness]

Hi All,

So I mixed 20gal. on Friday afternoon. we had company over all weekend and didn't get my water change. I was going to do it last night and I noticed a brownish tint to the water. There is this slimish type of stuff all around the container at the water level. The circ pump is also covered with this same slimish stuff. The container is the same that i always. using IO reef crystals mixed to 1.026. no heater in use at this time.

Is this water ok to use?? Or do i dump it and remix?? has anyone seen this before?? How long can you store mixed saltwater?

Thanks for the help

 

[FREAKINRICAN69]

Hi All,

So I mixed 20gal. on Friday afternoon. we had company over all weekend and didn't get my water change. I was going to do it last night and I noticed a brownish tint to the water. There is this slimish type of stuff all around the container at the water level. The circ pump is also covered with this same slimish stuff. The container is the same that i always. using IO reef crystals mixed to 1.026. no heater in use at this time.

Is this water ok to use?? Or do i dump it and remix?? has anyone seen this before?? How long can you store mixed saltwater?

Thanks for the help

I've never had that issue. But i do use IO reef crystals as well and have left it for longer time in containers and never heard of this. I'm following to see wth it is?
I'm sorry i couldn't be of any help...

 

[GobyWanKenobie]

I've had my reef crystals water turn brown in the bucket when my heater got stuck, but that's the only time. Salt is cheaper than corals and fish. I would dump it and start over. It's just not worth the risk.

 

[FishieBusiness]

here are some pics. note the difference in color of the container above and below the water

 

[CTReefKeeper]

What kind of water was added to the IO crystals? I have heard of this happening when tap/well water is used instead of RO/DI water.

 

[Sparky88]

Sounds like a contaminate. I use this salt and leave with no pump or heater for like two weeks with np. Id try and clean tank and see if it comes back

 

[Andy V]

I don't know what happened to your water, but the length of storage is definitely not the issue.

 

[BiGGiePauls33]

Could be the anti caking agent in the salt mix. I have similar issues with mine if I leave it stagnant for a bit.

 

[Andy V]

Was the water being circulated?

 

[CrypticLifeStyle]

Typical in water mixing barrels after a year but thats fast. Maybe bad batch.

 

[FishieBusiness]

So ro/di using thru a six stage unit. Same tub used for a while. Had a circ pump with no heater(this time of year). This has happened to me before unfortunately with extended stay in mix tub. I don't understand it....

I will be buying a new mix container tomorrow and soaking the pump in vinegar.

Will update on with next data

 

[Sparky88]

I no were you can get 55g food grade barrels great for mix stations

 

[FREAKINRICAN69]

I no were you can get 55g food grade barrels great for mix stations

Please tell lol...