brown film algae growing on makeup water container

[kinerson]

I have a 55 gal rubber maid container that gets filled with fresh RO water waiting for when I need it. When I'm ready to perform a water change I add the appropriate salt and turn on the heater and powerhaed. The problem is that I have a dark brown film growing on the sides of the container and on the heater and cords etc. Does this algae compromise my water quality? It's a hassel to clean the container but I'd hate to investing time and money in water changes when the quality of that water is subpar.
Thanks,
Greg

 

[mr_x]

1. no, algae won't hurt anything, however, you don't want to be adding it with waterchanges, you want to be removing it.
2. put a lid on it and don't allow any light in. that will solve any algae issue.
3. are you sure it's algae? i used to use reef crystals and would get a brown scum layer all over everything when i mixed new water. i changed to oceanic and have not seen it since.

 

[spiderwoman]

Keep the powerhead on 24/7 to make sure the water stays in motion. We have no algae problem in our containers and have a ph and heater in both.

 

[kinerson]

Interesting because I keep a lid on it, keep a maxijet flowing in it, but I use Instant ocean reef crystals.
The only reason why I asked is because over the last few months the algae has naturally built up a little and I have been stuggling to get my ORP above 350 in my display. I use the ORP monitor without an Ozone generator so that I can keep an eye on things that otherwise would be difficult to notice. I was wondering if maybe the makeup water has been compromised to a certain point which made it difficult to get my ORP as high as it once was.

 

[aztec reef]

This is due to precipitation.
The longer the water sits in container the more algea u would see.
*Keep ph's clean of detrius,precipitates.
*dont aerate saltwater over 48hrs.
*keep mixing container clean.
*keep mixing container
away from lights/sunlight.
*if u can get away with it ,avoid using a heater.
*dont scrub, or try to clean container, when Saltmix. Is aerating. (In other words, let diatom adhere to container surfaces. Without disturbing it..

 

[kinerson]

o.k. thanks guys.

 

[mie]

I thought you should leave a powerhead in the salt mix container.
Why do you say not to?

 

[mr_x]

i still say it isn't algae at all. especially if you have no light getting in it. i believe it's impurities in the instant ocean salt mix. i've had it with both instant ocean and reef crystals. no more since i went to oceanic.

 

[aztec reef]

its not really "true" algea, its diatoms... aka the processors of algeas.
Diatoms are mostly unicellular>. that said , diatoms will eventually turn multicellular thus it can generate about 500 species and generas of algeas..

 

[mr_x]

aztec- when i used to mix large amounts of instant ocean products, i would immediately get a brown film on the surface, which would eventually settle on the sides and bottom of the container. it was definitely not diatoms.

 

[stanlalee]

Originally Posted by Mr_X
http:///forum/post/2791122
i still say it isn't algae at all.
I agree (with you for a change lol). I've had this same brown residue form with seachem salt as well. I am 100% positive this is not diatoms or algae (would be virtually impossible as my mixing bin is kept in complete darkness and I never expose it to aqaurium water using seperate buckets to fill and remove tank water but most of all once I switched back to red sea its gone). This brown crap is the ONLY reason I stopped using seachem and went back to red sea.

 

[spanko]

Don't you also get a brown "scum" like matter when, and I forget which, either your RO or DI filter needs to be changed. I think I heard one of them can leech the media into the water.

 

[valeram]

I am also using Instant Ocean and mixing it with RO water in a 30g container. The power head is always on but with a close lid. The heater in not on. I will only turn on the heater to equalize it to my main tank when it is time to do water replacement. So far, I am not getting any brown film as stated by the OP.