I switched to Tropic Marin getting brown residue

[trivan]

A few months ago I switched to Tropic Marin from using ESV for almost 3 years. I switch mainly due to TM would be easier to get and I wouldn't have to store boxes and boxes as I typically by as much as I can when on sale.

So I been happy with the results and no worse or better then ESV but my mixing container gets brown residue covering everything in the container. I've read this is "normal", but I really don't like having it accumulate. Is this common with other salts? I read that TM mixes clean, but this doesn't seem clean to me. In 3 years with ESV, I've cleaned my mixing container maybe 3 times, if I continue to use TM, I can see cleaning the container much more then that. Seriously thinking about switching back to ESV as cleaning the container is much more time consuming then measuring out 3 parts of the salt mix.

Do people just leave all the build up?

 

[mnat]

The regular TM or the TM pro?

 

[TanksNStuff]

I've experienced the "brown residue" with several different salts. Not sure if it's normal, but it is common.

I kept changing to avoid it also and I've settled on Aqua Vitro Salinity. Not only does it not leave any residue, but I'm very happy with the parameters and consistency with each batch. Plus, it comes with a nice screw on top that has a rubber gasket... which is great for transporting livestock in the car if needed.

Salt is a crazy topic IMO. I've seen as many pros as I do cons for just about any salt you can find. There will be people that swear by one, and others that had nothing but horrible results with that same salt.

One thing is for certain though, you can always count on Dr. Randy Holmes-Farley to explain just about anything aquarium related...

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/rhf/

Also, in my experience, the way you mix your salt can play a role in producing the precipitation (which causes the brown residue). Here is my method:

Have all the RODI water in the barrel first, then slowly mix in the salt by sprinkling it all over the surface while the mixing pumps churn up the water. Don't just dump the salt in as that tends to cause more precipitation. Also, space out your measuring cups of salt so that the one before has time to mix in pretty good. The overall object is to introduce as little salt mix at a time as possible because the larger the quantity reacting at one time the greater the chance of precipitation. Hope that makes sense.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Another great article by Dr. Randy.....by the way, he uses Instant Ocean....one of the main reasons I had little reluctance switching over to IO as well.


I had this same issue when I was using Reef Crystals. They supposedly changed the recipe a couple years ago that slightly improved the amount of precipitate, but you'd still get it. If you don't clean it frequently enough, it will get so thick that it starts to flake off. If your fresh saltwater looks like a snowglobe, you know it's time to clean the Brute.


I did try very slow additions of salt with vigerous mixing (Old Koralia 4 or 8 and a MAG 7), and I'd still get the precipitate.


Not so bad with IO.....a very light coating after about a year.

 

[MatteZ]

also the longer the salt sits in the mixing bucket adds to the amount of crud. If i make the saltwater on a Friday night and then do the water change Saturday AM then it is very minimal, but if i forget to use it friday or I am just too lazy and get to it sunday then the precipitate is much worse.

 

[TanksNStuff]

also the longer the salt sits in the mixing bucket adds to the amount of crud. If i make the saltwater on a Friday night and then do the water change Saturday AM then it is very minimal, but if i forget to use it friday or I am just too lazy and get to it sunday then the precipitate is much worse.

Good point Matt!

 

[trivan]

Thanks, This is the regular TM salt.

I read some of those articles a ways back, but didn't pick up/remember about the water sitting to cause more precipitate. I do continuous water changes so mine sits for a number of days. I have a 20 gallon container and do ~1 gallon everyday. If I have to "slowly" add the salt to the water, to me there is no advantage time wise over ESV. I like the measure and dump method.

I will likely consider IO as I plan to add a Calc reactor in the future to the upgrade. but leaning to just doing a big order of ESV as I've never had this problem before. So far ESV is the cleanest. I rather spend time measuring, then cleaning.

 

[mnat]

I got a ton of brown residue from Salinity and TM pro. With the regular TM i don't really get any at all.

 

[TanksNStuff]

See what I mean? Already we have different observations for the same kinds of salts, lol.

 

[trivan]

At least we are not heading down the "which salt is best" road.....

 

[magic]

I got a ton of brown residue from Salinity and TM pro. With the regular TM i don't really get any at all.

I also use regular TM and been using it for about 5 years without a issue.

Bob

 

[MatteZ]

Did I mention that I just use Epsom Salt?




(I don't. I use rc)

 

[lps1212]

I never get brown residue from tm the tm pro yes and also redsea pro left a brown residue