Kinda wierd...

[abcemorse]

Kinda of wierd thing with Plantex, I used to mix a stock solution that was a brown color when mixed and noticed after about 2-3 weeks it would turn more reddish, the color deepening over time. Also algae issues and lowsy growth. I stopped mixing stock solution and started dosing directly. Growth exploded and algae went away in 2 weeks. No other changes to the regimen. Anyone seen this before? Possible the stuff actually rusted and iron became unusable??

 

[Tug]

Just to rule out under dosing the premixed solution as the problem. How much Plantex did you mix into how much distiled water to make your stock and how much did you dose into what size water column? How much do you now dose of the dry? Did you add any HCL to the stock solution? Maybe something was growing in the bottle and using up some of the trace. What is interesting is that you would have this problem and others don't. I hope someone has an answer to this.

 

[Philosophos]

Was the brown or red solution clear?

When I use HCL to stabilize a CSM+B mix I get a deep rusty red color. I haven't had any problems with it though. Odds are a lower pH would help the iron more than harm it.