What's in my water?

ryeguyy84 · 09/05/2013, 05:46 PM

I made 15 gallons of RODI water on Monday and mixed in salt. I went to check the salinity today and I found little brown goo balls floating on the top and stuck to the side. Any ideas?

Also I didn't airate (I usually do but forgot) or heat.

The brute tub I use

Floating goo balls

More goo balls

reeftivo · 09/05/2013, 05:55 PM

Hmm?

Are you by chance using bio actif or neo marine?

I've had a similar result (not to your extent though) with both.

I suspect the fact that your were not at temperature had alot to do with it.

Touring · 09/05/2013, 05:56 PM

OIL???? lol

ryeguyy84 · 09/05/2013, 06:04 PM

No I use coral life, I've never heated it when making water. Usually I just dump in water and salt and airate. Then I test and heat the day I do the change.

It definitely looks like BP stopped by haha

st0ned0g · 09/05/2013, 11:18 PM

do you have any kids? I have found that was my biggest problems when I did a water change kids always getting into it.

Pez68 · 09/05/2013, 11:20 PM

That looks like some kind of oil residue to me. Was the container clean when you started? Any chance something spilled in it? Regardless, I wouldn't use that water. Maybe scoop some of it up and smell it?

Fish Bowl · 09/05/2013, 11:25 PM

When I used to use coralife I always had that goo when mixing the water (Either floating, or crusted on the sides/bottom). It's apparently the vitamins and whatever additives they have in there. If in doubt, dump, rinse, dry, vinegar, rinse, dry, try again.
I have since switched to regular Instant Ocean and never had that problem ever again.

Pez68 · 09/05/2013, 11:27 PM

Well, to eliminate the salt as the culprit, he could always mix up a mini batch of salt water and see if it happens again. I would never use salt that did that... That looks like pond scum or an oil slick. Crazy!

ryeguyy84 · 09/06/2013, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by st0ned0g

do you have any kids? I have found that was my biggest problems when I did a water change kids always getting into it.

no kids, just a cat

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish Bowl

When I used to use coralife I always had that goo when mixing the water (Either floating, or crusted on the sides/bottom). It's apparently the vitamins and whatever additives they have in there. If in doubt, dump, rinse, dry, vinegar, rinse, dry, try again.
I have since switched to regular Instant Ocean and never had that problem ever again.

that weird, I switched from reef crystals because of the weird film it left on the container

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pez68

Well, to eliminate the salt as the culprit, he could always mix up a mini batch of salt water and see if it happens again. I would never use salt that did that... That looks like pond scum or an oil slick. Crazy!

I think something funny got in the water. I'm about 100G into a 200G container.

I'm going to dump, clean and try again. looks like I'm skipping this water change.

while I have the vinegar in the container I'll clean all my pumps and skimmer. what ratio of water/vinegar does everyone use? I usually dump a gallon into a 5G pail but maybe that's to strong?

09/05/2013, 05:46 PM	#1
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	What's in my water? I made 15 gallons of RODI water on Monday and mixed in salt. I went to check the salinity today and I found little brown goo balls floating on the top and stuck to the side. Any ideas? Also I didn't airate (I usually do but forgot) or heat. The brute tub I use Floating goo balls More goo balls __________________ Current tank: 90G mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon

09/05/2013, 05:55 PM	#2
reeftivo Skim junkie Join Date: May 2008 Location: chino, CA Posts: 3,417	Hmm? Are you by chance using bio actif or neo marine? I've had a similar result (not to your extent though) with both. I suspect the fact that your were not at temperature had alot to do with it. __________________ I told you not to be stupid you moron!(Stern) Current Tank Info: 60 gal cube/20g tideline sump-mixed reef, Aquamaxx c-tech Ca Rx, Akula 160 skimmer, paxbellum N18, mitras LX7 lighting with T-5s, apex controller

09/05/2013, 06:04 PM	#4
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	No I use coral life, I've never heated it when making water. Usually I just dump in water and salt and airate. Then I test and heat the day I do the change. It definitely looks like BP stopped by haha __________________ Current tank: 90G mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon

09/05/2013, 11:18 PM	#5
st0ned0g Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 53	do you have any kids? I have found that was my biggest problems when I did a water change kids always getting into it. __________________ Steve Current Tank Info: 100g

09/05/2013, 05:56 PM	#3
Touring Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Panhandle Posts: 724	OIL???? lol

09/05/2013, 11:20 PM	#6
Pez68 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: South Suburbs of Chicago Posts: 165	That looks like some kind of oil residue to me. Was the container clean when you started? Any chance something spilled in it? Regardless, I wouldn't use that water. Maybe scoop some of it up and smell it?

09/05/2013, 11:25 PM	#7
Fish Bowl Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ca Posts: 122	When I used to use coralife I always had that goo when mixing the water (Either floating, or crusted on the sides/bottom). It's apparently the vitamins and whatever additives they have in there. If in doubt, dump, rinse, dry, vinegar, rinse, dry, try again. I have since switched to regular Instant Ocean and never had that problem ever again.

09/05/2013, 11:27 PM	#8
Pez68 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: South Suburbs of Chicago Posts: 165	Well, to eliminate the salt as the culprit, he could always mix up a mini batch of salt water and see if it happens again. I would never use salt that did that... That looks like pond scum or an oil slick. Crazy!