What causes this?

[MizTanks]

Could this be cause by an RO filter that needs to be replaced? Other then that I can't figure out what's causing it. Could it be the bucket?

[jolson10450]

can it be wiped away? it could be that the RO water is so pure that it is leaching out some ions in the polymer bucket material which results in that. do a water test on that water, if it tests out good i would say there is nothing to worry about.

[MizTanks]

Yes it does wipe away, easily. Like a po4 test? tds? Other then those I've tested for everything else and all's well.

[jolson10450]

Yes it does wipe away, easily. Like a po4 test? tds? Other then those I've tested for everything else and all's well.

yep po4 and tds just to see what you read, take a reading while it is coming out of the RO unit (if you can) then while it is in the bucket. po4 just test in the bucket.

also, if you mix salt in the same buckets you use to store RO water and don't rinse the buckets out with RO water after you had saltwater in the bucket it could just be some trace elements left from the salt that are stuck to the walls of the bucket, it is just weird though that orangeish color, it is like an iron oxide or something it seems like.

[BeakerBob]

See if you can get some in a small container, then add some vinegar. If it dissolves, then it's probably some minerals (carbonates, iron, etc.).

If it doesn't dissolve in the acid, get another sample and this time add some dilute beach. If it goes away in bleach, then it is probably bacteria.

[MizTanks]

See if you can get some in a small container, then add some vinegar. If it dissolves, then it's probably some minerals (carbonates, iron, etc.).

If it doesn't dissolve in the acid, get another sample and this time add some dilute beach. If it goes away in bleach, then it is probably bacteria.

Does this mean that the RO filter needs changed? I'm waiting for new ones to arrive any day now. Do I dare use this water?

[CalmSeasQuest]

Had you used the bucket or power-head to mix salt previously? I often see a similar appearing residue on the bucket and power-head after mixing saltwater (RC) - even when using zero TDS water. I've read that many encounter the same.

[MizTanks]

I am using RC and I've seen this in my bucket before but not this bad and it's been more on the lighter side, sort of white~it's been a gradual thing~especially as my RO filter gets older.

[CalmSeasQuest]

It's likely not related to your RO (that would be a ton of particulates to get through an RO.)

I find that the longer the freshly made saltwater is in the mixing bucket, the greater the amount of residue that accumulates on the bucket and power-head. If it mixes for only a few hours , I don't notice any deposits. Overnight or longer is when it appears. I went a few days prior to using the last batch of RC I had made and had significant deposits - so much so, I had to disassemble the power-head to get it clean.)

[BeakerBob]

It's likely not related to your RO (that would be a ton of particulates to get through an RO.)

I find that the longer the freshly made saltwater is in the mixing bucket, the greater the amount of residue that accumulates on the bucket and power-head. If it mixes for only a few hours , I don't notice any deposits. Overnight or longer is when it appears. I went a few days prior to using the last batch of RC I had made and had significant deposits - so much so, I had to disassemble the power-head to get it clean.)

This is fairly common and will happen more often if the water is really cold. If the TDS is good on the RO system, you do not have to change the cartridge. This precipitation/salting out of the minerals from saltwater preparation will not hurt the tank or the livestock. As CalmSeasQuest has advised, you may have to clean out your mixing pump. This stuff should dissolve easily in a acidic (vinegar) solution (or diet coke :big_grin:).