Salt Water Storage

[pinhigh1886]

OK so I am using BRUTE containers for Salt Water and RO/DI storage. The RO/DI storage is fine but my Salt Water Storage bin is getting a Redish Brown thin Slime on the inside? I have a small pump in there to keep it stirred and a heater to keep it around the same temp as the tank. I am getting what looks like Diatom Algae on the substrate in my tank and now I am wondering if that is the cause? The Salt Water Storage has a lid so it gets no light. Has anyone else experienced this and is there a way to prevent it? I have only had these starage bins for maybe 4-5 months. :thumbsdown:

[pinhigh1886]

Yes I use RC

[MizTanks]

Yes I use RC

I use RC also and only twice in 2yrs has the *brown film* happened while mixing. At first I was freaked but no harm has ever come to my tank. I've been told its nothing dangerous :)

[ballhog]

I can't remember the brand of my salt, but on the instructions it says if the salt is mixed to fast you will see a film. So I would not dump all the salt in the mixing container at once, but slowly add the salt. I have also heard if the water is really cold you need to add the salt slower.

[MizTanks]

I can't remember the brand of my salt, but on the instructions it says if the salt is mixed to fast you will see a film. So I would not dump all the salt in the mixing container at once, but slowly add the salt. I have also heard if the water is really cold you need to add the salt slower.

Great to know! Thanks as I'm guilty of doing the exact opposite lol

[pinhigh1886]

I have a power head in the container and a heater. It is at 79 Degrees. I would say of the 20 gallon tub there is only 15 gallons. I will use 4-5 gallons at a time and then let it fill back up. When it does I add salt to make up for the 4-5 gallons of fresh RODI added. My meter is hooked up to the RO/DI and is showing (0) TDS. Could TDS appear in the container if no TDS were added? Come to think of it my RO/DI resin about a month or so back got used up and turned brown from Purple but not all the way. I checked and it said 1 ppm on the meter so I changed it out. It has been back to (0) for over a month now but I wonder if that is how it got in? I am sure I have used all of the water that is in there but maybe the TDS got into the container and is still in there? That could explain my light brown algae in a few spots on the substrate in the DT. HMMM. I will clean the container tonight and start over!! Man just filled it. I hate to waste 15 gallons of saltwater. Maybe I'll get a TDS meter first and check it. Then clean it after I use up the 15 gallons? Or is that a bad idea?

[pinhigh1886]

I guess that makes sense. Salt is a disolved solid. What does Salt Water read on a TDS meter do you know?

[dknuckles]

When I used a Brute can until I tested the water and found it leached a ton of PO4 into the storage water.
Better off using potable containers for storage. Brut is good for a quick mix and use

[MizTanks]

Places like GFS (where I got mine) or Sam's Club are able to order *Food Grade* containers with air tight lids. I love mine! They have gallon/liter measurements on them

[dknuckles]

Places like GFS (where I got mine) or Sam's Club are able to order *Food Grade* containers with air tight lids. I love mine! They have gallon/liter measurements on them

GFS is a great place as is Restaurant Depot will have them in stock as well.

[pinhigh1886]

Yeah I heard all of that when I was picking a container. I also have heard of people using these grey BRUTEs for years with no PO4. I keep testing waiting for the PO4 to show up and nothing yet but it has only been 6 months. I'll keep testing and let you know if it ever shows PO4. Some day when I get my auto water change system I will probably get some true food grade containers.