Another "switching salt" question

[SteveM]

I am currently useing Crystal Sea Marinemix Salt Reef Blend and have been having some issues with it. I even called the company because each time I mixed a new batch I was noticing a brown blotchy film on top of the water in my mixing container. I then noticed that I was getting a brown covering on my coralene algae on my back glass. I have also been getting a brown/orange covering on parts of my sand bed. I was also getting some very different Cal reading from each new match I mixed up.

 

The company rep I spoke with said that he thought the salt mix was having a reaction to my water I was useing. This even though I use a RO/DI unit. (All new filters, TDS = 0) He said that it could be something that the water co adds to the water that the RO unit is not able to remove.

 

I think that I am at the point where I need to switch to a new salt mix. Everyone here seems to being having pretty good results with IO so I was thinking about go to that brand.

 

Does anyone have any experience switching over from this salt brand? If so, how did you go abot it? Any other suggestions about the brand to switch to and the best way to do it? I have about a 150 gal system.

[vaironman]

Steve,

 

We met at BRK on that day buy one get one at equal price sale. I, too, have a 150G. Recently, I switched from Tropic Marin pro-reef (after 2 years of used) to IO. No issue for me. I changed 10 gallon of new water with IO weekly. Went thru the first 1/2 IO bucket and so far so good.

 

I do run Kalkwasser and calcium reactor while slowly switching over to IO salt.

 

HTH,

 

KLee

[SteveM]

No one else have any comments? Have these kinds of issues?

[jnguyen4007]

No one else have any comments? Have these kinds of issues?

 

 

Sorry Steve, I've used IO from day one so I can't say I have any knowledge of the issues that you're having.

[HowardofNOVA]

SteveM,

DON'T DO IT!!

I'm almost positive the brand you have now is the brand I used for years and alot of Aquariums across the country have used with great results! I too have had times with the slight brown skim but has been minimal and not noticed anything in the tank!

BUT,

The brand has a binding agent that no other brand uses and can't remember the exact details, but a little research will find it. What happens is when you change brands with out it, it reacts with the non binding agent releasing alot of bond metals in the mixture, causing a rush of these metals released into the water.

Have been numerous post of guys bleaching out their entire tanks! If I have time, will try to locate the exact post?

 

Anyone else can comment on this? I'm pretty sure this is the brand, but may be thinking of another!!

 

The product is great when you use it by itself, but be careful mixing!!!!

[ErikS]

There are two facts when it comes to salt mixes -

 

1) every single company has had "bad batches", just the way it goes

 

2) aside from ALK, CA, and MG there isn't enough difference in the mixes to matter much

 

Bacterial blooms in mixes happen, shouldn't but they do - the reason for them is varied. Could be the container, could be the salt mix, could be the atmosphere - you name it. Bacteria & warm water = a match made in heaven.

 

Really it's just a matter of picking a mix that suits your needs, though eventually you'll hit a bad batch. IO is the most widely used salt mix, everything else is a distant second. They are very consistent, but even they muck up - look at the recent RC issues.

 

Simple solution?

 

Check your mix & adjust as needed. If you have a bacterial bloom clean everything in the mixing setup, if it still happens dump the mix.

 

Salt mixes are so close that without other factors your tank won't know the difference................unless by changing the water you're radically altering chemistry to begin with.

 

Check this thread and then tell my how much water (%) you need to toss your parms out of whack?

[tygger]

I've also read numerous posts about people having issues when changing from certain brands to another...

 

When I first started out, I started with Oceanic, then went to IO because it seemed like everyone was using it with great success, then switched to Tropic Marin after hearing the rave about it, and later switched back to IO because it was cheaper and easier to find. I've never had any problems, but I also didn't have any SPS corals during the switches.

 

The way I switched was just doing regularly scheduled 10% water changes.

 

Again, this is just my experience. Take it for what it's worth. Good luck.

[ErikS]

I've also read numerous posts about people having issues when changing from certain brands to another...

Exactly, anecdotal evidence at best - we have no idea what other factors come into play & there are just too many to determine a definitive cause.

 

I've never had any problems, but I also didn't have any SPS corals during the switches.

Even if we use anecdotal evidence the overwhelming majority are like this - no issues. Factor in Randy's analysis of salt mixes & how little they differ? I'll take science for $800 Alec

 

Bad batches? yes. Strange bacterial blooms? yes. Disasters caused by differing salt mixes alone? I'll pass.

[SteveM]

Thanks for all the responses. I have also heard that there could be a problem with switching from this brand of salt so I guess the safe thing to do is just stick with it. I guess thats a good thing since I have 3 150gal boxes of it.

[ErikS]

Thanks for all the responses. I have also heard that there could be a problem with switching from this brand of salt so I guess the safe thing to do is just stick with it. I guess thats a good thing since I have 3 150gal boxes of it.

Hope it's not all from the same batch - that would bite.

 

I certain you've done it - but you cleaned all the mixing stuff? Vinegar/water or mild bleach?

 

Yeah, I know stupid suggestion - just making sure