Problems Problems Problems with Instant Ocean Salt

Lacy · 12/15/2010, 05:06 PM

I have used Instant Ocean salt for years. About 8-10 months ago I bought some salt that was cloudy and did not clear up. I dumped the whole batch. Twice. I make 100 gallons at a time. I had bought 3 160 gal buckets. I called IO and they said they were not having any problems that it must be me! Good excuse for them to try to shift the blame. The third bucket I returned. I waited about a month or so and bought more. It was OK. I bought more again after that. Problems again. It wont clear up and it has scum on the top. I put some in a clear glass and let it sit on the counter for 3 days. Some stuff settled to the bottom, but there is still particles in the water column. I did a water change on a nano with a clown fish and some zoos to see what would happen. The crap did filter out about a day later. That was over a week ago and they seem fine. I decided that I would do a water change on the 300. I went to put a filter in the water tank to help filter the junk out. When I pulled up the circulation pump, it was full of slime. Now I am not sure I want to use it on my large tanks with expensive corals and fish. I dont want to dump anopther 100 gallons of salt water. It is getting expensive. I also bought 4 buckets of IO on Black Fridays because All Fish Emporium had it on sale.
Has anyone else had this problem and was it OK to use? After this I will no longer buy IO or any other salt made by that company.

Wolverine · 12/15/2010, 05:43 PM

Haven't had any problem like that. I've used IO and RC for 10+ years.

Sk8r · 12/15/2010, 05:46 PM

I use Oceanic: I do 'roll' the tubs when I get them, just put them in the garage and roll them around all over the place in case anything has settled in shipment, but whether this actually does any earthly good I have no idea.

Swim · 12/15/2010, 06:08 PM

Didn't happen to test the water for amonia did you? People forget that salt cooking vats need to be cleaned and allowed to go dry every now and then else they become just like a fish tank and will "cycle". You mentioned slimed up pump, could it be bacteria slime?

joeychitwood · 12/16/2010, 03:27 PM

My guess would be that the problem lies in your water, container or some aspect other than the salt.

Sugar Magnolia · 12/16/2010, 03:29 PM

I to have been using IO for many years. The only time I have had a problem is if I let my salt water sit in my mixing bucket for long periods of time. A slime does form on the powerhead and bucket walls.

Edit: see below. Whisperer jogged my memory.

Gary Majchrzak · 12/16/2010, 03:38 PM

I use IO. It's good stuff at the right price. "Slime" can form in a mixing container with any brand of saltmix IME.

Many people do not prepare artificial seawater correctly and this can result in problems.

Whisperer · 12/16/2010, 04:00 PM

RC has been an issue for me. It forms nasty brown crud both in the mixing tub and the surface. I use 4 stage R/O DI.

Sugar Magnolia · 12/16/2010, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whisperer

RC has been an issue for me. It forms nasty brown crud both in the mixing tub and the surface. I use 4 stage R/O DI.

I had that happen with a batch of IO. There was a thread floating around here about it. IO, of course, claimed there was nothing wrong with the salt, but many other users were seeing the same thing. This recent case I got is fine.

Can't beleive I forgot about that. Reefing has become a blur.

Gary Majchrzak · 12/16/2010, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lacy

Has anyone else had this problem and was it OK to use?

it's okay to continue to use

LifeAquatic · 12/16/2010, 06:42 PM

Ive experinced the same problems with instant ocean and reef crystals. I always bring my change water up to proper temp and add salt slowly when mixing. On a few occasions I have had a brown sludge develop in my brute trash can after using instant ocean and reef crystals. The mixing pump gets a thick brown sludge on it. I have since switched to ESV salt and no more sludgey water changes.

joeychitwood · 12/16/2010, 06:47 PM

In 16 years of mixing Instant Ocean and RO/DI water, I've never experienced sludge, slime or any other type of phenomenon.

LifeAquatic · 12/16/2010, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

In 16 years of mixing Instant Ocean and RO/DI water, I've never experienced sludge, slime or any other type of phenomenon.

Thats weird.. Ive only been in the hobby for about 6 years and I have picked up a few bad batches of IO and Reef Crystals. Maybe they send all the junk salt to So Cal. = (

firebirdcrzy · 12/16/2010, 08:00 PM

I have been having the brown buildup on my mixing tub, Today I did a water change and it clouded my tanks up for about an hour. This brown buildup feels like sand paper.

Dbroncos · 12/16/2010, 08:04 PM

Time for a new bucket...

Gary Majchrzak · 12/16/2010, 10:06 PM

I've gotten brown precip as seen in the picture of the tub above.
I can re-create it with all brands of artificial saltmix.
It's still okay to use the saltmix in that container.
I have many sensitive reef animals in my reef aquarium which is called Junior's Reef

joeychitwood · 12/16/2010, 10:12 PM

Gary, any idea what the brown material is composed of?

Gary Majchrzak · 12/16/2010, 10:18 PM

I don't know for sure and I don't want to speculate here and now.
I'll bet someone in RC's Reef Chemistry Forum can enlighten us.

89Foxbody · 12/16/2010, 10:26 PM

I have this issue as well. The last 2 batches I've mixed up have been crazy high in nitrates and nitrites as well. I mix them in an 18g tub. I'm not sure how that crap ended up in my water as my tap water tests clean. I'm guessing I might have gotten a bad batch? The first bag I went through (bought a 200g box) never slimed up at all.

Misled · 12/16/2010, 10:29 PM

I'll speculate!!!! Just as a "guess" it would have to for the most part calcium. I see the same thing in my kalk bucket which only contains kalk and RO/DI water. The color in the water mixed with salt seems a little darker, but that may have something else to do with the salt.

By the way, I don't remember having this happen when mixing salt a few years back. Could it be we're seeing it now because the salt companies are increasing the cal levels???

Gary Majchrzak · 12/16/2010, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misled

By the way, I don't remember having this happen when mixing salt a few years back. Could it be we're seeing it now because the salt companies are increasing the cal levels???

possibly.

FWIW my aquarium heaters can sometimes develop the same "sandpaper" type precip.

streak · 12/17/2010, 01:52 AM

I have had the green sludge once.. but i found it coming from my ro/di container.. i left it setting to long with out airaiting it.. i always remove to a 5g bucket to mix in. noticed green what looked like alge but it was slime.. i emptied the ro/di container and rinsed and it hasent come back.. just regular IO btw

Ron Reefman · 12/17/2010, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Majchrzak

I use IO. It's good stuff at the right price. "Slime" can form in a mixing container with any brand of saltmix IME.
Many people do not prepare artificial seawater correctly and this can result in problems.

I've been getting a cloudy white mix that leaves a white film in my mix tank. The cloudiness clears up about 60-90 minutes after I do a 15% water change.

So Gary, don't leave us hanging. What is the proper way to mix new saltwater?

joeychitwood · 12/17/2010, 10:36 AM

I wonder if the scale on the container walls is composed of calcium and diatoms? I'm guessing the reason I've never seen it is because I use my newly mixed salt water immediately as opposed to storing it mixed. If I store water, it's pure RO/DI with zero TDS.

Chris27 · 12/17/2010, 01:06 PM

It's precipitated calcium and heavy metals - happens with all salt mixes. I recently mixed up some IO and then two weeks later Tropic Marin - both mixes left about the same amount of sludge in the Brute.

12/15/2010, 05:06 PM	#1
Lacy Ex FMAS bod member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 3,837 Blog Entries: 1	Problems Problems Problems with Instant Ocean Salt I have used Instant Ocean salt for years. About 8-10 months ago I bought some salt that was cloudy and did not clear up. I dumped the whole batch. Twice. I make 100 gallons at a time. I had bought 3 160 gal buckets. I called IO and they said they were not having any problems that it must be me! Good excuse for them to try to shift the blame. The third bucket I returned. I waited about a month or so and bought more. It was OK. I bought more again after that. Problems again. It wont clear up and it has scum on the top. I put some in a clear glass and let it sit on the counter for 3 days. Some stuff settled to the bottom, but there is still particles in the water column. I did a water change on a nano with a clown fish and some zoos to see what would happen. The crap did filter out about a day later. That was over a week ago and they seem fine. I decided that I would do a water change on the 300. I went to put a filter in the water tank to help filter the junk out. When I pulled up the circulation pump, it was full of slime. Now I am not sure I want to use it on my large tanks with expensive corals and fish. I dont want to dump anopther 100 gallons of salt water. It is getting expensive. I also bought 4 buckets of IO on Black Fridays because All Fish Emporium had it on sale. Has anyone else had this problem and was it OK to use? After this I will no longer buy IO or any other salt made by that company. __________________ Picking out corals under blue lights is like picking up girls/guys while drunk. They never look the same in day light. ;) Current Tank Info: 180 gal mixed reef

12/15/2010, 05:43 PM	#2
Wolverine RC Mod Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: West Bloomfield, MI Posts: 17,732	Haven't had any problem like that. I've used IO and RC for 10+ years. __________________ Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. -Douglas Adams Current Tank Info: 14g, 29g nano reefs

12/15/2010, 05:46 PM	#3
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I use Oceanic: I do 'roll' the tubs when I get them, just put them in the garage and roll them around all over the place in case anything has settled in shipment, but whether this actually does any earthly good I have no idea. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

12/16/2010, 03:29 PM	#6
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	I to have been using IO for many years. The only time I have had a problem is if I let my salt water sit in my mixing bucket for long periods of time. A slime does form on the powerhead and bucket walls. Edit: see below. Whisperer jogged my memory. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders. Last edited by Sugar Magnolia; 12/16/2010 at 04:04 PM.

12/16/2010, 03:38 PM	#7
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	I use IO. It's good stuff at the right price. "Slime" can form in a mixing container with any brand of saltmix IME. Many people do not prepare artificial seawater correctly and this can result in problems. __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

12/15/2010, 06:08 PM	#4
Swim Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Staten Island Posts: 151	Didn't happen to test the water for amonia did you? People forget that salt cooking vats need to be cleaned and allowed to go dry every now and then else they become just like a fish tank and will "cycle". You mentioned slimed up pump, could it be bacteria slime?

12/16/2010, 03:27 PM	#5
joeychitwood Schrödinger's Mod Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 3,488	My guess would be that the problem lies in your water, container or some aspect other than the salt.

12/16/2010, 04:00 PM	#8
Whisperer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Punta Gorda, FL Posts: 4,020	RC has been an issue for me. It forms nasty brown crud both in the mixing tub and the surface. I use 4 stage R/O DI. __________________ The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten. --------- No one is born with intellect and age guarantees wisdom to no one. Current Tank Info: 120G reef, 30G sump, 10G QT tank

12/16/2010, 06:42 PM	#11
LifeAquatic Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 922	Ive experinced the same problems with instant ocean and reef crystals. I always bring my change water up to proper temp and add salt slowly when mixing. On a few occasions I have had a brown sludge develop in my brute trash can after using instant ocean and reef crystals. The mixing pump gets a thick brown sludge on it. I have since switched to ESV salt and no more sludgey water changes.

12/16/2010, 06:47 PM	#12
joeychitwood Schrödinger's Mod Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 3,488	In 16 years of mixing Instant Ocean and RO/DI water, I've never experienced sludge, slime or any other type of phenomenon.

12/16/2010, 08:00 PM	#14
firebirdcrzy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern Neck, Virginia Posts: 1,096	I have been having the brown buildup on my mixing tub, Today I did a water change and it clouded my tanks up for about an hour. This brown buildup feels like sand paper. __________________ My Wife says I have a problem. I responded by saying "if I could seal all the doors and windows, I would fill the whole house with water". Title: The equipment hoarder Current Tank Info: 30gal Clarkii tank: 90 gal RR,2x400w plusrite 22k 2x110w vho super actinic, deltec APF600,Tunze Osmo,2xTunze 6105 on 7095,MRC CR2,Kalk reactor,JBJ artica 1/5hp chiller, ACIII, 24"x24"x12" (30gal) frag tank joined to main tank:

12/16/2010, 08:04 PM	#15
Dbroncos Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 155	Time for a new bucket...

12/16/2010, 10:06 PM	#16
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	I've gotten brown precip as seen in the picture of the tub above. I can re-create it with all brands of artificial saltmix. It's still okay to use the saltmix in that container. I have many sensitive reef animals in my reef aquarium which is called Junior's Reef __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

12/16/2010, 10:12 PM	#17
joeychitwood Schrödinger's Mod Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 3,488	Gary, any idea what the brown material is composed of?

12/16/2010, 10:18 PM	#18
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	I don't know for sure and I don't want to speculate here and now. I'll bet someone in RC's Reef Chemistry Forum can enlighten us. __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

12/16/2010, 10:26 PM	#19
89Foxbody Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Norwich, CT Posts: 1,532	I have this issue as well. The last 2 batches I've mixed up have been crazy high in nitrates and nitrites as well. I mix them in an 18g tub. I'm not sure how that crap ended up in my water as my tap water tests clean. I'm guessing I might have gotten a bad batch? The first bag I went through (bought a 200g box) never slimed up at all. __________________ Red Sea Max 130D Mixed Reef: ReefKeeper2, Rapid-LED retrofit, MiniMaxx Reactor, Tunze 9001 Skimmer, 2x Jebao RW-4, 2x Maxi-Jet 600 returns, 2x Koralia Nano 425

12/16/2010, 10:29 PM	#20
Misled RC Mod Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 11,440 Blog Entries: 11	I'll speculate!!!! Just as a "guess" it would have to for the most part calcium. I see the same thing in my kalk bucket which only contains kalk and RO/DI water. The color in the water mixed with salt seems a little darker, but that may have something else to do with the salt. By the way, I don't remember having this happen when mixing salt a few years back. Could it be we're seeing it now because the salt companies are increasing the cal levels??? __________________ Jesse I'm not saying I'm Batman. I'm just saying nobody has ever seen me and Batman in a room together.

12/17/2010, 01:52 AM	#22
streak Reef Madness! Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Perryville, Missouri Posts: 616	I have had the green sludge once.. but i found it coming from my ro/di container.. i left it setting to long with out airaiting it.. i always remove to a 5g bucket to mix in. noticed green what looked like alge but it was slime.. i emptied the ro/di container and rinsed and it hasent come back.. just regular IO btw __________________ The Shoe String Budget Reef Aquarium. Possible?? Compared to 7 55 breeding Discus days well we see and try! :P Current Tank Info: 10g nano with 2 clowns 1 Royal Gorama 1 RBTA!

12/17/2010, 10:36 AM	#24
joeychitwood Schrödinger's Mod Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 3,488	I wonder if the scale on the container walls is composed of calcium and diatoms? I'm guessing the reason I've never seen it is because I use my newly mixed salt water immediately as opposed to storing it mixed. If I store water, it's pure RO/DI with zero TDS.

12/17/2010, 01:06 PM	#25
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	It's precipitated calcium and heavy metals - happens with all salt mixes. I recently mixed up some IO and then two weeks later Tropic Marin - both mixes left about the same amount of sludge in the Brute.

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