HELP: "Flakes" at the Bottom of Mixing Jug - Dange

[WhiteCloud]

I have been doing weekly water changes in my tank since beginning of January. I have been using RO/DI water and mixing my salt in a NEW 7 Gallon Water Jug (designed for water storage). The last 3 times I have done a water change...as I am pouring out the last 1/4 of the Jug...I am having some rather large "Flakes" coming out and going into the tank.

These flakes are scaring me...and I am afraid they may be some kind of salt flake...that could damage my corals or inverts if the land on them. They do seem to dissolve after a while when I get some in tank.

Does this happen to anyone else?? What are these flakes?? Could they be dangerous?

These are the steps I used to mix my water:

1. RO/DI Water (20 gallon in a trash can covered, with a TDS of 0ppm)
2. Instant Ocean Salt (I used 3 & 3/4 Cups in 7 Gallons to get a SG of 1.024
3. Mix salt and water in 7 gallon jug for 24-48hrs
4. Have heater in jug to maintain water at 78F
5. Use Airstone in jug to assist in mixing and water flow.

The Jug is colored plastic, and I can't fit powerhead through the top of the jug (hence the use of the airstone). I have rinsed the jug on with RO/DI water throughly and even let it sit with RO/DI for a week before rinsing it out. The flakes returned!

Thanks for any help in determining the next steps I should take! I am thinking about getting an open top Rubber Maid BRUTE container. Will be more difficult to carry up the stairs though!

Thanks!

WC

 

[dralarms]

How about a 5 gal bucket? It's what I use. I also use IO and I see some flakes once in a while, I guess I don't think about it since I add my water to the sump.

 

[JamesR]

funny you say this, i have seen a thin buildup at the bottom of my 5gal saltwater storage jug. Yesterday, when changing the water in my nano, a few "flakes" came out. i could tell it was from the buildup (very thin) at the bottom of the container. No idea what it is. I pour the water into a container first to add to the tank, so i was able to get the flakes out.

Can't imagine they can be too harmful as only saltwater has been in the jug.

????

Jim

 

[XXFirefighter]

It's fine...
Try using a powerhead instead of a airstone for mixing way more efective. And you can use a hose to pump the water from the container into the tank without any flakes even