Orange percipitate in RO mixing can

jwalker314 · 03/07/2010, 10:43 PM

well, pretty much what had happened, i had salt and ro mixing in a 37 gallon trash can for several days (something came up and i wasn't able to do my water change as planned) well, my coralife digital thermometer (the black battery operated one) fell into the can. I am guessing thats where the orange residue (almost like rust) came from. I obviously emptied all the water. But my question is, how do i clean that off of everything so i can make some new RO water? also my MJ1200 will run for 5mins then shut off for 2, could that be related to the water contamination? thanks in advance for the advice.

-John

Randy Holmes-Farley · 03/08/2010, 05:57 AM

How long was it in the water? If more than a minute or two, I'd probably toss the water, even if it weren't discolored. Does it still work?

What salt mix? Such a residue is not unusual for some mixes, like Reef Crystals.

jwalker314 · 03/08/2010, 06:20 AM

the temp gauge was probably in the water for about a week or so. so whatever electronics and the battery looks like it rusted or leaked into the can full of salt water. I use coral salt pro by red sea.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 03/08/2010, 06:20 AM

I'd definitely toss the water out of fear of copper.

jwalker314 · 03/08/2010, 06:25 AM

yea the water is already gone, i wasn't worried about that, i can make more, just worried about cleaning up the can, what can i use to clean the can (if i have to get a new maxijet and hose thats no big deal, id like to clean them if i can) the can cost me almost 40bucks, so id rather not have to buy a new one. thanks

Randy Holmes-Farley · 03/08/2010, 08:22 AM

Vinegar or diluted muriatic acid (1 part acid in 10 parts water) may help remove the residue.

star27624 · 03/08/2010, 08:34 AM

If you get the muriatic acid, be careful using it. Add the amount of acid you need to make your dilution to water, not the other way around. Safety glasses, and a well ventilated area are a must! Chemical resistant gloves are not a bad idea either.

Good luck.

jwalker314 · 03/16/2010, 03:46 PM

i used a large amount of vinegar to clean the can, the pump, and the hose. all traces of the reside are gone, i made a batch of ro water and discarded it. Then made another batch, tested the tds in the can and it was at zero, so i mixed the salt in and let that get to temp and well mixed for a few days. did my 30 gallon water change (140gallon system total) a day later i noticed two dead hermit crabs. im very worried that this may be due to coppper levels. i also have had some issues keeping my temp and thus ph stable in the tank lately, due to my sump developing a crack and not having a sump running.

anyway to test for trace amounts of copper? i still have plenty of snails and both my shrimp are active as well as my brittle sea star and serpant sea star.

i understand crabs do die sometimes, just worried this may be due to something i've caused. any input would be apperciated. Thanks!

-John

jwalker314 · 03/16/2010, 03:49 PM

also, it appears my temp dropped to 67 degrees overnight and within a six hr period went to 79 degrees. i know this is a big issue and im correcting the fluxuations tonight. but could this have caused the two deaths i've seen?

Randy Holmes-Farley · 03/17/2010, 04:55 AM

anyway to test for trace amounts of copper?

You can send it out.

With a home test kit, you can show it is bad if you detect any, but you can't show it is low enough to be desirable.

I do not know if the temp could have killed the crabs, but it might have.

03/07/2010, 10:43 PM	#1
jwalker314 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Havertown, PA Posts: 383	Orange percipitate in RO mixing can well, pretty much what had happened, i had salt and ro mixing in a 37 gallon trash can for several days (something came up and i wasn't able to do my water change as planned) well, my coralife digital thermometer (the black battery operated one) fell into the can. I am guessing thats where the orange residue (almost like rust) came from. I obviously emptied all the water. But my question is, how do i clean that off of everything so i can make some new RO water? also my MJ1200 will run for 5mins then shut off for 2, could that be related to the water contamination? thanks in advance for the advice. -John __________________ Delaware Valley Reef Club Current Tank: 140 gallon tank, 2 250 watt radiums, 2 160 watt VHO Actinics, 30 gallon sump, Deltec AP-851, Neptune Apex Controller.

03/08/2010, 05:57 AM	#2
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 81,937	How long was it in the water? If more than a minute or two, I'd probably toss the water, even if it weren't discolored. Does it still work? What salt mix? Such a residue is not unusual for some mixes, like Reef Crystals. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Club 65535 Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

03/08/2010, 06:20 AM	#3
jwalker314 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Havertown, PA Posts: 383	the temp gauge was probably in the water for about a week or so. so whatever electronics and the battery looks like it rusted or leaked into the can full of salt water. I use coral salt pro by red sea. __________________ Delaware Valley Reef Club Current Tank: 140 gallon tank, 2 250 watt radiums, 2 160 watt VHO Actinics, 30 gallon sump, Deltec AP-851, Neptune Apex Controller.

03/08/2010, 06:20 AM	#4
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 81,937	I'd definitely toss the water out of fear of copper. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Club 65535 Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

03/08/2010, 06:25 AM	#5
jwalker314 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Havertown, PA Posts: 383	yea the water is already gone, i wasn't worried about that, i can make more, just worried about cleaning up the can, what can i use to clean the can (if i have to get a new maxijet and hose thats no big deal, id like to clean them if i can) the can cost me almost 40bucks, so id rather not have to buy a new one. thanks __________________ Delaware Valley Reef Club Current Tank: 140 gallon tank, 2 250 watt radiums, 2 160 watt VHO Actinics, 30 gallon sump, Deltec AP-851, Neptune Apex Controller.

03/08/2010, 08:22 AM	#6
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 81,937	Vinegar or diluted muriatic acid (1 part acid in 10 parts water) may help remove the residue. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Club 65535 Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

03/08/2010, 08:34 AM	#7
star27624 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 62	If you get the muriatic acid, be careful using it. Add the amount of acid you need to make your dilution to water, not the other way around. Safety glasses, and a well ventilated area are a must! Chemical resistant gloves are not a bad idea either. Good luck.

03/16/2010, 03:46 PM	#8
jwalker314 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Havertown, PA Posts: 383	i used a large amount of vinegar to clean the can, the pump, and the hose. all traces of the reside are gone, i made a batch of ro water and discarded it. Then made another batch, tested the tds in the can and it was at zero, so i mixed the salt in and let that get to temp and well mixed for a few days. did my 30 gallon water change (140gallon system total) a day later i noticed two dead hermit crabs. im very worried that this may be due to coppper levels. i also have had some issues keeping my temp and thus ph stable in the tank lately, due to my sump developing a crack and not having a sump running. anyway to test for trace amounts of copper? i still have plenty of snails and both my shrimp are active as well as my brittle sea star and serpant sea star. i understand crabs do die sometimes, just worried this may be due to something i've caused. any input would be apperciated. Thanks! -John __________________ Delaware Valley Reef Club Current Tank: 140 gallon tank, 2 250 watt radiums, 2 160 watt VHO Actinics, 30 gallon sump, Deltec AP-851, Neptune Apex Controller.

03/16/2010, 03:49 PM	#9
jwalker314 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Havertown, PA Posts: 383	also, it appears my temp dropped to 67 degrees overnight and within a six hr period went to 79 degrees. i know this is a big issue and im correcting the fluxuations tonight. but could this have caused the two deaths i've seen? __________________ Delaware Valley Reef Club Current Tank: 140 gallon tank, 2 250 watt radiums, 2 160 watt VHO Actinics, 30 gallon sump, Deltec AP-851, Neptune Apex Controller.

03/17/2010, 04:55 AM	#10
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 81,937	anyway to test for trace amounts of copper? You can send it out. With a home test kit, you can show it is bad if you detect any, but you can't show it is low enough to be desirable. I do not know if the temp could have killed the crabs, but it might have. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Club 65535 Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef