water from LFS

[petveedub]

Sorry if this has been discussed before, but I couldn't find anything on it. I heat (to 78 degrees) and aerate 10-12 gallons of water in a 20 gallon Brute container for 24 hours, then add Instant Ocean Sea Salt to approximately 1.024. I stir until clear, then let it continue to aerate and heat for at least 24 hours more.

I live on the NE side of town, but my wife works out in Spring Branch. So she usually picks my water up from CB Pets on Thursday or Friday (unless it's been a while since I've seen their stock, in which case we make a special trip on Saturday morning). Sorry back to the point.

After mixing and aging, their water is always clear when I do my water change.

I bought water once from Polly's Pets, and twice from Aquarium Designs. In each of these instances, after the mixed saltwater had aged for a while, the water appeared clear. However, the inside of the bucket, the heater, and powerhead were all coated with a light gray substance.

Is this something to do with water hardness or something else?

Also, if the water is hard, does that make it more beneficial to calcifying organisms?

Thank for any input,

Billy

[Cliff]

Probably just some calcium or other residue from your saltwater. I know I always have a little bit in the trash can that I use. The longer the water sits in the can the more of a ring I have.

[mathias]

if your buying water every week personally I would invest in a rodi unit...

[petveedub]

I would love to. Maybe after the lawyers are finished taking all of their money out of my wife's car wreck settlement. That is if she will let me have some.

[Richard]

Check the alk on the water you are buying. It should be zero. If the source water is high in in alk then you will tend to precipitate out calcium carbonate when you add the salt mix.

Also I have noticed this more when I age the water. The bad thing is that it drops your calcium level and possibly magnesium level a little. So I do not age my water at all. Once it's mixed and clear I use it.

Also if the salt mix has been exposed to humid air and has turned solid then you will see more insoluble calcium carbonate after mixing.

[mathias]

so throwing the salt in the tank and letting the power heads mix it isn't a good idea?



jk.....

[petveedub]

Until I get an RO/DI unit, I will just continue to get water from CB Pets. I've let it age for as much as a week, and it is always crystal clear.

Thanks for the responses.