ps2cho Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Why is this a problem? And also what does this exactly mean? Simply mixing it, or does it mean you cannot mix it, turn the powerhead off and do the water change the next day? Must you use it immediately after its all mixed? If not, must it be dumped out? Whats the deal? What exactly are the restrictions? Link to comment
StevieT Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 So you do a water change ever 4 hours on the disolved salt in the tank? I don't see the issue besides common evaporation. Link to comment
Horerczy Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 I use this salt and sometimes don't do water changes for days after the salt is mixed. Never had a problem. Link to comment
ps2cho Posted February 14, 2014 Author Share Posted February 14, 2014 So you do a water change ever 4 hours on the disolved salt in the tank? I don't see the issue besides common evaporation. So why does the tub say specifically in upper case do NOT mix for more than 4hrs? Does it precipitate out under certain conditions? Link to comment
xmas_one Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 1) Keep it away from bright light 2) Don't get any water on it 3) Never, never ever feed it after midnight Link to comment
Red_Blenny Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 I remember reading about this on a thread a few weeks ago but I can't remember it.... Either way, Red Sea says that if you mix it too long, the Mg, Ca, and Alk (my guess is Carbonate?) will precipitate out of the mixture. Basically, your params for the freshly mixed SW will be lower than what the bucket advertises. Does it mean you should toss it out once you go past 4 hours? Nope, I used to mix RSCP for 12 hours and I get no problems at all. If anything, you'll probably get a dirty mixing bucket. Link to comment
Jackal_Knight Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 I remember reading about this on a thread a few weeks ago but I can't remember it.... Either way, Red Sea says that if you mix it too long, the Mg, Ca, and Alk (my guess is Carbonate?) will precipitate out of the mixture. Basically, your params for the freshly mixed SW will be lower than what the bucket advertises. ^^ thats pretty much the reason, there is a red sea video that explains it. But im on my phone so im not gonna look and post the video Link to comment
Jackal_Knight Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 it just does, besides why using one of these to mix your salt? http://media.photobucket.com/user/Trunks3540/media/Figures/Halo/Halo%201-3/BruteWarChieftans.jpg.html'> Link to comment
Horerczy Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 because it's what I got. Link to comment
duncan-junkie Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 I've never had a problem.....mixed it for 5 days before using it, cuz i was lazy..........The pH dropped a little, but no biggie. Just dump a little more salt in there, mix it till the pH is where you want it and do your water change. Link to comment
metrokat Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 The longer it sits the more stuff precipitates out of it. My bucket is still cruddy even after I stopped using RSCP about a year ago. Link to comment
hypostatic Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 if the water is still actually mixing, there shouldn't be any real reason for stuff to start going out of solution... Link to comment
gsgentry Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 Think about this..., what's the difference in mixing in a bucket using a power head or the water in your tank that is constantly mixing in theory? Lol Link to comment
metrokat Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 if the water is still actually mixing, there shouldn't be any real reason for stuff to start going out of solution...RSCP doesn't listen to any reason. Yes it was mixing non stop till it was used. Think about this..., what's the difference in mixing in a bucket using a power head or the water in your tank that is constantly mixing in theory? LolI asked the question myself, if stuff precipitates out in the bucket, why doesn't it do that in the tank? Link to comment
hypostatic Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 so then, what's to keep it from coming out of solution in your tank? Link to comment
gsgentry Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 Exactly!!! That's what I was laying in bed thinking about last night. Lol After reading this, I changed the times and my process for my AWC but started thinking. Doesn't make logical sense. Link to comment
metrokat Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 I have asked this question myself. Link to comment
nicko79 Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 This video on youtube from Red Sea explains and shows you exactly who you should not over mix. Search for : Coral Pro Salt Mixing Guide Link to comment
gsgentry Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 This video on youtube from Red Sea explains and shows you exactly who you should not over mix. Search for : Coral Pro Salt Mixing Guide Does that guy have a lazy eye or what he reading something in the background? Lol But it still doesn't explain why this doesn't happen in the tank which is constantly being mixed and heated. Did I miss something? Link to comment
seabass Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 It talks about the elevated levels of calcium and carbonates of the mix, along with higher temps and pH during mixing, causing "clumping" (precipitation). It says that this can happen almost immediately when the water is significantly above 77°F and when using aeration pumps. We know that different temperatures impact solubility of certain elements differently (I saw a good study on this, but can't find it right now). The small volume of water, along with the heat of the pump must cause local temps to exceed 77°. Aeration must also affect the pH in a way that compounds the precipitation. IDK, I'm no chemist, so my only guess is that our tanks aren't usually, substantially over 77°F, and the pH (maybe due to the live rock and sand) must tend to be better suited to keep the mix in suspension. I have used it before, and like that you should use it immediately after mixing it clear. Link to comment
Tenor Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 I guess Red sea changed their salt mixed ingredient and mixing method after all customers complained the nasty brown residual after mixing. Link to comment
HecticDialectics Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 It talks about the elevated levels of calcium and carbonates of the mix, along with higher temps and pH during mixing, causing "clumping" (precipitation). It says that this can happen almost immediately when the water is significantly above 77°F and when using aeration pumps. We know that different temperatures impact solubility of certain elements differently (I saw a good study on this, but can't find it right now). The small volume of water, along with the heat of the pump must cause local temps to exceed 77°. Aeration must also affect the pH in a way that compounds the precipitation. IDK, I'm no chemist, so my only guess is that our tanks aren't usually, substantially over 77°F, and the pH (maybe due to the live rock and sand) must tend to be better suited to keep the mix in suspension. I have used it before, and like that you should use it immediately after mixing it clear. I dunno this is all enough for me to just not want to ever use Red Sea. So if I keep my tank at 79 and well aerated, the salt is precipitating out in my tank? Yeesh. Ridiculous. No thanks. Link to comment
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