CSM+B mixture is cloudy

bat_billy · 02-20-2013, 01:22 PM

I opened my thermos of CSM+B today and discovered that it had a strange haze floating in it. I have put the recommended amount of Excel into the mixture to prevent mold. The mixture is kept in a stainless steel thermos so no light gets to it. My question is has anyone experienced mold in their mix even after using excel?

chibikaie · 02-20-2013, 11:32 PM

I've had that happen to both a solution of Miller's microplex plus glutaraldehyde (should have worked even better since I didn't adjust for the concentration difference) and a solution of potassium sulfate and monopotassium phosphate (which, being a macro mix, wasn't supposed to be mold prone). I give up - I dose dry now even for little tanks. If I need less than 1/64 tsp of anything, I just dose less often. Much less fuss and I never have to throw anything away.

happi · 02-20-2013, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bat_billy

I opened my thermos of CSM+B today and discovered that it had a strange haze floating in it. I have put the recommended amount of Excel into the mixture to prevent mold. The mixture is kept in a stainless steel thermos so no light gets to it. My question is has anyone experienced mold in their mix even after using excel?

yep i get fungus even when adding excel to the solution, next time add some vinegar to the solution, you can also add ascorbic acid and potassium sorbate to keep the solution fresh and fungus free.

Darkblade48 · 02-21-2013, 12:34 AM

The best solution I have found so far is using hydrochloric acid

Please be careful and take the necessary precautions if handling it.

bat_billy · 02-23-2013, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happi

yep i get fungus even when adding excel to the solution, next time add some vinegar to the solution, you can also add ascorbic acid and potassium sorbate to keep the solution fresh and fungus free.

Do you have the ratio of vinegar to solution?

For example: 5 ml of vinegar for every 250 ml of solution.

Also, I assume you are using white vinegar.

Fishmommy · 02-23-2013, 07:38 PM

Been using CSM+B with a little mold growing in it for about 12 years and the mold never hurt anything

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Diana · 02-23-2013, 07:48 PM

Ditto fishmommy: A little mold never hurt anything. If it gets so dense the syringe won't pick up the fertilizer then you are not using it fast enough, or making too much and storing it for too long.

bat_billy · 02-23-2013, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishmommy

Been using CSM+B with a little mold growing in it for about 12 years and the mold never hurt anything

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

I used it for about a week with the mold and I didnt have any problems at all. I dont know if using moldy trace mix is safe or not. I honestly dont want to take the chance of it infecting the tank or fish.

puopg · 02-23-2013, 11:42 PM

I dunno if this is bad but i keep mine in the fridge. No mold after 3 weeks.

Jeffww · 02-23-2013, 11:48 PM

I used ~200mg Ascorbic acid to 500ml of water in my GH booster, Fe Gluconate and CSM mixtures. Does okay there. I just took a 250mg vitamin C pill and ground it up for the acid. Works excellently. Refrigeration is also a good option btw. Most fungus really hate acidity. Around 4 or less pH should stop it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by puopg

I dunno if this is bad but i keep mine in the fridge. No mold after 3 weeks.

02-20-2013, 01:22 PM	#1
bat_billy Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: US Posts: 130	CSM+B mixture is cloudy I opened my thermos of CSM+B today and discovered that it had a strange haze floating in it. I have put the recommended amount of Excel into the mixture to prevent mold. The mixture is kept in a stainless steel thermos so no light gets to it. My question is has anyone experienced mold in their mix even after using excel?

02-21-2013, 12:34 AM	#4
Darkblade48 Moderator (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 7,167	The best solution I have found so far is using hydrochloric acid Please be careful and take the necessary precautions if handling it. __________________ Anthony A Primer to Pressurized CO2 and A Primer to Planted Tanks Eheim Pimp #362 - Eheim 2213 x2, Eheim 2028, Ehein 2217, Eheim surface skimmer and Eheim autofeeder. Victor Pimp #33 - HPT272-125-350-4M

02-23-2013, 07:38 PM	#6
Fishmommy Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: NH USA Posts: 112	CSM+B mixture is cloudy Been using CSM+B with a little mold growing in it for about 12 years and the mold never hurt anything Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

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02-20-2013, 11:32 PM	#2
chibikaie Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 512	I've had that happen to both a solution of Miller's microplex plus glutaraldehyde (should have worked even better since I didn't adjust for the concentration difference) and a solution of potassium sulfate and monopotassium phosphate (which, being a macro mix, wasn't supposed to be mold prone). I give up - I dose dry now even for little tanks. If I need less than 1/64 tsp of anything, I just dose less often. Much less fuss and I never have to throw anything away.

02-23-2013, 07:48 PM	#7
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,083	Ditto fishmommy: A little mold never hurt anything. If it gets so dense the syringe won't pick up the fertilizer then you are not using it fast enough, or making too much and storing it for too long.

02-23-2013, 11:42 PM	#9
puopg Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 573	I dunno if this is bad but i keep mine in the fridge. No mold after 3 weeks.