RODI/Saltwater Mixing

[Jeff Rehling]

I have a 20 gallon food grade brute in which I mix my salt into my RODI water for water changes. I make the water on Saturday, mix it, and do the water change Sunday. I then rinse out and dry the brute. However, there are deposits on the inside of the can and a slight odor. What should I do each week to properly clean the brute?

Thanks reefers!

 

[sfsuphysics]

I wouldn't worry too much about the deposits, it's simply precipitation and think of it as another coating between the water and the plastic of the Brute (food safe or not). As for the odor, couldn't tell you, smells like rubber? smells like salt water? smells like teen spirit?

 

[Reefatosis]

Let brute dry. Beat it with your hand to knock it loose. Discard and fill. A dank, musty odor is normal.

 

[Rostato]

If you really want to clean it a vinegar bath will do the trick. I’d just use a different salt. I switched to Red Sea blue from reef crystals to avoid the precipitation

 

[Flagg37]

Which salt mix are you using?

 

[xcaret]

I experienced that with IO, Reef Crystals and SeaChem Reef Salt; just normal thing I considered.

 

[Julius Chen]

I clean brute can once a year. Power washer, then shop vac to suck the loose deposit out.

Probably no real benefit to clean it.

 

[Jeff Rehling]

Which salt mix are you using?

Reef Crystals

 

[xcaret]

I wouldn’t worry about the deposits but if that bugs you, just rinse the container after changing water.
Normally if you leave the mix running for a few days, it will start showing gray/brown-ish deposits on the surface.

 

[Coral reefer]

I clean brute can once a year. Power washer, then shop vac to suck the loose deposit out.

Probably no real benefit to clean it.

Disagree. THe more crud on the sides of the container, the more you will lose through precipitation in new mixes.

 

[Flagg37]

Disagree. THe more crud on the sides of the container, the more you will lose through precipitation in new mixes.

Sounds like a new brs investigates episode is needed.

 

[RandyC]

Chemistry behind precipitation from Randy Holmes-Farley

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

 

[Coral reefer]

Sounds like a new brs investigates episode is needed.

Not for me.