Help me solve the mystery

jrpage

jrpage

Member
Hey all,
I'm changing my water today. I made up some on Sunday and used Kent Buffer instead of my usual brand. I've checked the salinity with my new refractometer and checked the ph. Both are perfect. However when I went to take the powerhead out of the bucket I noticed a faint brown/orange tint had collected on it. I've never seen that before - Is it the new buffer or could something be wrong?
BTW I use a 5 gallon plastic bucket from Lowes for water mixing. (for the past 4 months) It does happen to be orange but this has never happened before. As I've stated the only change made was in brand of booster.
Is it some kind of rust from my powerhead? Please :help:
I'm not sure what to do about it - I've already vaccumed 4 gallons out of my tank.
 
jrpage

jrpage

Member
Has anyone ever heard of a PH rusting? Is it even possible?:needhelp: :needhelp: :needhelp: :needhelp:
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
I would caution against buffering newly mixed saltwater but I don't think that's the issue here.
Is there any chance you did any house maintenance or woodworking in the room with the water? Just guessing but perhaps it didn't come from the water. That's an odd color for precipitate.
 
dreeves

dreeves

Active Member
I get that sometimes with the MEI Crystal Sea salt...I contacted MEI and it was explained to me it is Iron precipitating from the water caused possibly by polyphosphates the water company adds to keep metals from binding with the pipes...once it hits the saline solution it dumps these metals...something like this anyways..
 
jrpage

jrpage

Member

Originally posted by Bang Guy
I would caution against buffering newly mixed saltwater but I don't think that's the issue here.
Is there any chance you did any house maintenance or woodworking in the room with the water? Just guessing but perhaps it didn't come from the water. That's an odd color for precipitate.

bang - no, My tank is in our computer room. We've done nothing new or different in there.
I took my PH and scrubbed it completely inside and out also the bucket.
I will mix new water shortly. Try again.
Will you please expand on why you would not buffer newly mixed saltwater? Is it a timing thing - you'd let the saltwater sit a few days first OR you just don't buffer your IO/DI water?
dreeves - I used IO salt, but thank you for your thought!! This was a puzzler!
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Salt mix is formulated to mix best with RO/DI water and nothing else. If you add buffer to new salt water it could precipitate Calcium carbonate. This will not only defeat your purpose, but lower the Calcium level as well.
It's best to add the aged water to your tank and then test the tank water to determine what additives, if any, are required. The larger volume of the tank will make dosing safer and more effective in my opinion.
 
jrpage

jrpage

Member
Thank you. Because I appreciate your judgement in the matter -I will begin buffering my tank vs my saltwater. I guess my last question then would be - How long after doing water changes should I wait to test for PH and alk?
Thanks!
 
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