Need some quick help, just mixed some saltwater

DustinB · 05/29/2010, 09:46 PM

Just mixed some new saltwater and when we were pouring it into my sump I noticed a strange smell. Almost like a fresh/slight chemical smell. Doesn't really smell the same as it has the past few times I've mixed salt. I did mix it for 24 hours instead of 12 hours this time if that makes a difference.

It just doesn't smell like the tank does and like it has in the past and the girlfriend is worried. I have the sump filled with half new water(adding a new sump) and I'm hesitating starting the return pump. Bucket has not been tampered with and I'm using fresh RO water.

Has anyone noticed this? Does it normally smell really strong after mixing for a full 24 hours?

Thanks

rayn · 05/29/2010, 09:49 PM

Not saying it is bad, but I have never noticed a smell in my mixed water. I get a new water and mix on Friday for Sunday water changes. Usually have about 15 gal left over that mixes in with the new week to week. Any possibility something could have gotten into your water?

twiggyb · 05/29/2010, 09:52 PM

Do you heat it up with anything? Maybe you smell the plastic if it's heating up too much if you are heating it that is. I've never noticed a smell when mixing. Is the RO unit in good order, not leeching anything into the clean water?

TripleT · 05/29/2010, 10:00 PM

Is it the same brand of salt you have always used?

I switched to Red Sea a couple of months ago, and immediately noticed that it smelled a little fishy. Not strange... but like actual fish.

Tank is doing just fine. And the smell seems to go away after I add the water to my tank.

DustinB · 05/29/2010, 10:03 PM

I doubt anything got into the water. The salt mix is a bit old. Same mix I have been using, instant ocean.

The buckets were in the sun during the day. They are the plastic orange home depot buckets.

Wondering if I should dump this and mix 15 more gallons or not. I can't have the tank shut down too long so I need to get this going sometime soon. Tank has been down with powerheads only for almost 2 hours. I suppose I could mix the new salt for an hour and mix it with water from the tank to dilute it.

TripleT · 05/29/2010, 10:03 PM

I always keep these on hand for emergencies:

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewit...content=PB1111

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...26tbs%3Disch:1

TripleT · 05/29/2010, 10:07 PM

Add some to a small sterile container with some water. If it smells weird to you as well, then it's probably just the way the salt smells.

DustinB · 05/29/2010, 10:14 PM

There's no smell with a sample of new water. To be safe I'm just going to mix up 15 more gallons and let it mix for 30 minutes. See what it smells like. If it smells ok I'll dilute with tank water since it's so fresh and go ahead with the addition.

Thanks for the ideas guys.

boogaman · 05/29/2010, 10:16 PM

I can't say I have ever had this problem, and I always mix mine for 24 hours.

Denbf58 · 05/30/2010, 06:30 AM

i cant say i ever had that problem when i mix water in home depot buckets some time 3-4 days i would say dump it and start over it is not worth the chance of putting in your dt

05/29/2010, 09:46 PM	#1
DustinB Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,532	Need some quick help, just mixed some saltwater Just mixed some new saltwater and when we were pouring it into my sump I noticed a strange smell. Almost like a fresh/slight chemical smell. Doesn't really smell the same as it has the past few times I've mixed salt. I did mix it for 24 hours instead of 12 hours this time if that makes a difference. It just doesn't smell like the tank does and like it has in the past and the girlfriend is worried. I have the sump filled with half new water(adding a new sump) and I'm hesitating starting the return pump. Bucket has not been tampered with and I'm using fresh RO water. Has anyone noticed this? Does it normally smell really strong after mixing for a full 24 hours? Thanks

05/29/2010, 09:49 PM	#2
rayn Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pekin, Il Posts: 2,864	Not saying it is bad, but I have never noticed a smell in my mixed water. I get a new water and mix on Friday for Sunday water changes. Usually have about 15 gal left over that mixes in with the new week to week. Any possibility something could have gotten into your water? __________________ Currently changing, stay tuned for new details...

05/29/2010, 09:52 PM	#3
twiggyb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: DeSoto, MO Posts: 3,813	Do you heat it up with anything? Maybe you smell the plastic if it's heating up too much if you are heating it that is. I've never noticed a smell when mixing. Is the RO unit in good order, not leeching anything into the clean water? __________________ -Daniel- Love, grease and chicken peace! Chicken are people too. Current Tank Info: 29g since March 2012

05/30/2010, 06:30 AM	#10
Denbf58 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: selden N.Y. Posts: 885	i cant say i ever had that problem when i mix water in home depot buckets some time 3-4 days i would say dump it and start over it is not worth the chance of putting in your dt __________________ Life is good Current Tank Info: 75gal reef ready koralia 3, 30g sump, 4b 48" t5s lighting, 29g reef with breeding pair clowns 55g reef 55g freshwater

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05/29/2010, 10:00 PM	#4
TripleT Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,092	Is it the same brand of salt you have always used? I switched to Red Sea a couple of months ago, and immediately noticed that it smelled a little fishy. Not strange... but like actual fish. Tank is doing just fine. And the smell seems to go away after I add the water to my tank.

05/29/2010, 10:03 PM	#5
DustinB Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,532	I doubt anything got into the water. The salt mix is a bit old. Same mix I have been using, instant ocean. The buckets were in the sun during the day. They are the plastic orange home depot buckets. Wondering if I should dump this and mix 15 more gallons or not. I can't have the tank shut down too long so I need to get this going sometime soon. Tank has been down with powerheads only for almost 2 hours. I suppose I could mix the new salt for an hour and mix it with water from the tank to dilute it.

05/29/2010, 10:07 PM	#7
TripleT Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,092	Add some to a small sterile container with some water. If it smells weird to you as well, then it's probably just the way the salt smells.

05/29/2010, 10:14 PM	#8
DustinB Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,532	There's no smell with a sample of new water. To be safe I'm just going to mix up 15 more gallons and let it mix for 30 minutes. See what it smells like. If it smells ok I'll dilute with tank water since it's so fresh and go ahead with the addition. Thanks for the ideas guys.

05/29/2010, 10:16 PM	#9
boogaman Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Huntsville Texas Posts: 51	I can't say I have ever had this problem, and I always mix mine for 24 hours.