precipitation in fresh SW

[voyto]

An interesting observation: LFS has an enormous amount of platy precipitation in SW mixing tank. Several inches thick at bottom of large plastic (300? g mixing tank). Very platy on tank sides. Instant OCean Salt mixed to make bulk SW for store systems. Calcium content in SW from this tank is consistently 180. Precipitate reacts strongly to vinegar, appears insoluble in water and resembles aragonite sand when crumbled. RO/DI water is input.

Anybody have an idea what the cause could be ar what this precipitate is? Comments appreciated.

VOYTO

 

[SPC]

Platy precipitation?

Steve

 

[JeremyR]

IO has been getting worse about this lately, I've seen batches where the dkh was 16 and it never cleared even after several days of mixing. I've been using MEI's crystal sea marinemix in the store the last few months and have been happy with it.. no precip, no crusty crap on the sides/bottom of the mixing tub, and it clears quickly. Ca 480 dkh 9 in the last batch I tested. I was a long time "hardcore" IO user/supporter, but I think the quality of the salt has degraded, and I would be interested in seeing a new set of testing on several batches on the various salts similar to what was done for AF a few years ago.

 

[voyto]

So, Jeremy, you have seen this same phenomenon with IO? When did you first notice it? It seems to have really accelerated here since the first of the year.

Hope the store's doing well. I still have the r. inchoata you sent.

voyto

 

[JeremyR]

I probably first noticed it several months back.. but it does seem to have gotten worse, and we have recieved a number of customer complaints.. people would be like.. if this is the best salt like you say.. why is all this crud coming out in the bottom of my bucket and why won't it dissolve? In any event, I never saw any ill results in the tanks, but some of them would be cloudy for several hours after doing a water change, something else I've heard from customers of late.. and that bothers/annoys me.

Store is going well.. 3rd anniversary is the 21st of this month. Glad to hear you still have the tonga shrooms, been a long time...