Hard Salt

[alaska clowns]

If moisture gets into the salt bag and makes it kind of hard, does that make the salt unusable? I'm trying to mix up a batch of fresh salt water using my salt that I had to practically scrape to get out, and it doesn't seem to be dissolving properly (there are still some particles floating around when I mix it). How long should it take to mix into the water? Thank you for your help!

[WaterKeeper]

It depends on how wet it becomes. If it is just caked then rolling the drum of salt on the floor can usually break it up. If it is rock hard that is more of a problem. When it get that damp chemical reactions start in the mix and, at the high concentration in the mix, precipitates start to form. That sounds like what is happening in your case. If the salt has more than a haze after an hour of two of mixing and particles settle out when the mixing stops, then the salt mix is really questionable for use. You can check Ca, Mg, pH and alkalinity and adjust them before use but often it is more trouble than it is worth.

[PRDubois]

If its not mixed in 24 hours, Probally easier to throw it and buy new.

[Sisterlimonpot]

+1 that's why it's important to keep your salt bucket sealed.

[PRDubois]

What type of clown is that?

[Agu]

Buy new salt .......... and store the new salt inside in a cool/dry location.

[alaska clowns]

Originally posted by PRDubois
What type of clown is that?

A blue false percula her name is Vashti, she's a great fish.

[alaska clowns]

Originally posted by Sisterlimonpot
+1 that's why it's important to keep your salt bucket sealed.

Hmmmm.... that's a good thought; I've been buying salt in bags and didn't think to seal it. Bummer. Sometimes, I tell you... I sure wish common sense would prevail It's costing me $

[alaska clowns]

Originally posted by WaterKeeper
It depends on how wet it becomes. If it is just caked then rolling the drum of salt on the floor can usually break it up. If it is rock hard that is more of a problem. When it get that damp chemical reactions start in the mix and, at the high concentration in the mix, precipitates start to form. That sounds like what is happening in your case. If the salt has more than a haze after an hour of two of mixing and particles settle out when the mixing stops, then the salt mix is really questionable for use. You can check Ca, Mg, pH and alkalinity and adjust them before use but often it is more trouble than it is worth.

Thank you for explaining! Should there be absolutely no particles after an hour or two?

[badwrasse]

some salts absorb more moisture than others I think.

I was using red sea's coral pro and it was in a bag that was in a bucket and every time I opened it the top inch had hardend and had to pitch the hard clumps before I made my water

[alaska clowns]

Originally posted by badwrasse
some salts absorb more moisture than others I think.

I was using red sea's coral pro and it was in a bag that was in a bucket and every time I opened it the top inch had hardend and had to pitch the hard clumps before I made my water

Well, that would explain part of the problem... I use Red Sea salt. So to change to subject a little...... is there any problem with switching salts? I mean, can one day I use Red Sea, and the next WC use a different salt? That won't throw the tank inhabitants off?

[WaterKeeper]

Today most salts are fairly similar in composition. Alkalinity and Ca levels usually vary the most. Switch away but do monitor those two parameters closely after the switch as it may influence any supplementation you currently practice.

[badwrasse]

I wouldnt just to be safe
if you decide to switch start with like 75%old salt 25% new and the next change do 50/50 mix and so on I switched to the new reef crystals and am very happy with it so far.

[WaterKeeper]

I don't think that would be neccessary. We have a lot of reefers who are bargain hunters who switch mixes all the time using whatever is on sale. They usually have no problems unless they get some brand nobody has ever heard of.

[badwrasse]

Originally posted by WaterKeeper
I don't think that would be neccessary. We have a lot of reefers who are bargain hunters who switch mixes all the time using whatever is on sale. They usually have no problems unless they get some brand nobody has ever heard of.

I'm just to scared to try as my luck is not so good with changing anything

[alaska clowns]

Originally posted by WaterKeeper
Today most salts are fairly similar in composition. Alkalinity and Ca levels usually vary the most. Switch away but do monitor those two parameters closely after the switch as it may influence any supplementation you currently practice.

Thanks, WaterKeeper. I think I'm going to look for some salt in a bucket this time.

[badwrasse]

the reef crystals has a twist lid I thought that was pretty cool idea

[alaska clowns]

I saw once on here a chart of the different salts that various TOTM people have used. Would anyone recommend Oceanic? The LFS guy said that's what he uses, he said it dissolves better and has higher CA and, I think he said, Mag. Thanks.

[rickofco]

I have been using Oceanic for 2.5 years and I think it works fine.