Black spots in the unactivated CDSplus bottle?
3. January 2026
Areas of application for AQUARIUS pro life products
2. March 2026
White Flakes in CDSplus Solution: Causes, Background and Solutions
You have activated your CDSplus according to the instructions, waited for the reaction time, and now notice that small white flakes or cloudiness have formed in the yellow liquid?
Don’t worry – this is a well-known chemical phenomenon that does not affect the quality of your product. In this article, we explain exactly how these flakes form and why your solution remains fully ready for use.
The Background: An Improved Formula Since 2020
In 2020, we fundamentally revised and further developed the formula of our CDSplus. The primary goal of this improvement was increased tablet stability – so that you have a product in your hands that reliably maintains its quality under a wide variety of storage and transport conditions and ensures a longer shelf life.
As part of this formula optimisation, magnesium chloride was introduced as a tableting excipient. Tableting excipients are widely used in pharmaceutical and food supplement manufacturing and serve to give tablets their shape, stability and consistency. They are an integral part of modern tablet manufacturing and their use is thoroughly researched and regulated.
What Are These White Flakes Actually?
The white precipitates are generally harmless mineral salts. Since CDSplus is a highly pure but chemically active system, it is sensitive to its environment – in particular to the nature of the water used and the buffer components contained in the product.
The main causes of flake formation:
- Reaction with water hardness (limescale):
If you use tap water for activation or dilution, the calcium and magnesium ions dissolved in the water react with the buffer salts of the CDSplus. The result is a physical precipitation (similar to limescale deposits in a kettle), which becomes visible as small white flakes. - Temperature differences:
Chlorine dioxide and the associated buffer substances have a temperature-dependent solubility. If the solution is stored very cold after activation (e.g. in the refrigerator), supersaturated mineral salts can crystallise and become visible as flakes. - The buffer component itself:
CDSplus contains a pH buffer that ensures the finished solution has a neutral pH value. Under certain circumstances, portions of this buffer can briefly combine before fully stabilising in the solution.
Is the Efficacy Affected?
The most important message upfront: No.
The white flakes have no influence on the concentration of the dissolved chlorine dioxide gas. The gas is dissolved in the liquid (which can be recognised by the yellow colouration), while the flakes are merely “solid” carrier material or precipitated minerals.
- Purity is maintained: Since chlorine dioxide is a gas that is only physically held in the water, the disinfecting properties remain completely unaffected.
- No risk: The mineral salts produced are completely harmless to health in these small quantities.
How to Prevent Flake Formation (Tips & Tricks)
If you prefer a crystal-clear solution, you can try the following steps:
- Use distilled water: The safest way to avoid flakes is to use distilled or fully demineralised water for activation. Since there are no limescale ions present, nothing can precipitate.
- Gentle shaking: The flakes often dissolve again by gently swirling the bottle after the full activation time.
- Adjust temperature: Activate the product at room temperature and only place it in the refrigerator after the reaction is complete.
A Purely Visual Matter: No Effect Whatsoever on Efficacy and Quality
White flakes in your CDS/CDL or CDSplus solution are not a sign of an expired product or a manufacturing defect. They are evidence of the active chemistry and the reaction of the buffer substances with environmental factors such as water hardness.
Your solution is safe, effective and ready for drinking water treatment!
Do you have further questions? Our team at AQUARIUS pro life is here for you. Simply write to us or check our FAQ to find out more about the safe use of CDSplus.
Conclusion: Your Chlorine Dioxide Solution Is Absolutely Fine
Your CDSplus solution is completely in the clear and absolutely safe to use. You can use it just as you normally would – with the reassuring feeling of having a high-quality, transparently communicated product in your hands.
Discover our chlorine dioxide products, bundle sets and dosing aids in the shop now!
Click here for the chlorine dioxide products
Note: Use biocidal products with care. Always read the label and product information before use.
