Contaminated Min s

[MrFish]

Noticed this in my Min s tonight. I made a batch up 10 days back as I use such a low dose I needed a diluted solution 1:10 ratio. Used RO water for the dilution and a sterilised tube.

The white bits are in the solution, I assume its bacterial growth of some kind :confused:

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/mfmins.JPG

[simon garratt]

Could be anything to be honest MrFish. RO isnt bacterially pure by any stretch of the imagination, there will be alot of stuff growing down the outlet pipe and around the end that will come out in the water to grow in a viable solution.. Plus most test tubes ive seen arnt that sterile anyway unless they have been through a medical sterilizer. just dabbing a non-gloved finger on the end will cause cross contamination of bacteria.

Spose the real question is wether the contamination present represents a problem at all or wether its completely harmless. Im hazarding a guess its of little consequence as far as the safety of your tank goes (we put millions of stray bacteria in our tanks everytime we put our hands in there). But i couldnt say what it will do to the MinS solution. maybe Si, or Jez can help on that front.

regards

Si.

[MrFish]

Si, thanks for commenting, as you say, if it is bacteria then it could have come from a number of places, so that will remain unknown.

You are probably right about the harmless effects of it, and I suppose the bacteria could also be good stuff and do the tank a lot of good, just don't know.

However, as I use such a small amount each time I will make up another batch to be on the safe side.

I'm hoping Jez will comment on this, I see there is another post with a contamination related question as well.

:)

[trythechi]

With ZEOvit bacs if the solution smells then its off and isnt usable- cant see why that would be different for FM

HTH

Simon

[KeithM]

The MinS isn't the bacs... MinS is an AA/mineral/trace solution

Mr. Fish - I would not worry about the sediment. I have found the same in my bottle of MinS. I have had no problems using it for past 6 months. I just shake it up before i use

[jez]

Hi
Both the BAK and the MIN-S have the ability to be very fertile breeding grounds for bacteria so if diluting for Nano's tanks would suggest used cooled boiled water might have less chances.

If there are minor cultures in diluted form I do not see it being a big problem if fed to the tank

As Simon said if it smells off then its time to say goodbye. This may be more of a problem as we hit the hot weather.

Jez

[CHRIS D]

Hi Jez

Hope you don't mind me jumping in. Is it necessary to keep BAK and MIN-S refridgerated? So far I haven't been doing so, reading this thread makes me think perhaps I should.

Thanks

Chris