Did I do something wrong ?

Onyx97 · 09/22/2011, 05:42 AM

So I finally set up a WC station in my garage, got a new 32 gallon Brute to hold my saltwater. I bought the can and rinsed it out with some vinegar and water until it was squeaky clean and the smell of the vinegar was gone. Filled it up with distilled water that I do all my WC's with brought it up to 75 degrees then added my salt (Seachem Salinity). I have 2 Maxi-Jet's 1200's and a heater in there so there is plenty of circulation but after a day the water is still cloudy, I thought surely by now it would have cleared up. I checked the salinity and it is spot on 1.026 just as it should be for the amount of salt I added. Am I missing something here ? Did I do something wrong ? Is this water safe to use ?

jr_casteel1999 · 09/22/2011, 05:52 AM

More than likely your salt. I know some salt brands are notorious for taking a long time to clear but I haven't never used seachem. Try reefcrystals. I have not had this issue with it but I have with other brands

csmfish · 09/22/2011, 06:32 AM

I am having that issue with OC. Sometimes it is clear, sometimes the bottom of the bucket is yellow, from the same mix? Go figure!? It should settle out in 3 days or so. As long as you have it mixed for a day you should be fine.

billdogg · 09/22/2011, 06:35 AM

I ALWAYS use a diatom filter (System I) on my freshly made water. Try it just once - even if it "looks" clear, you will be amazed at how much stuff is in it. If you do not have a diatom filter, an old cannister filter stuffed with filter floss (pillow stuffing from wallyworld works well) will do the same thing, just a little slower.

Flippers4pups · 09/22/2011, 06:54 AM

You shouldn't have to filter freshly made salt water. IMHO micro filtering freshly made salt water could be removing trace elements that you want. If you have a residue issue in your freshly made salt water, you may want to change salt brands.

spieszak · 09/22/2011, 07:03 AM

Depending on the salt, mixing more slowly sure seems to help. (I use red sea coral pro) I have a ten gallon mixing container. I add two cups of salt and let that mix for a few hours or more, then add two more cups. That mixes at least over night, and then I add the last bit to tweak salinity when I'm ready for my water changes. Sounds like a pain, but once you get in the habit of doing it that way, its really not.

Ron Reefman · 09/22/2011, 07:24 AM

You did nothing wrong. And it's safe to use (but you might run it thru a filter).

I've had the same issue with IO salt. Some boxes are clear and some boxes are cloudy. I used to just add it to the DT cloudy and it would clear up in an hour or two. Now I add it thru a filter sock at a slower speed (like 25g over an hour) and the DT stays clear.

Steve175 · 09/22/2011, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmfish

I am having that issue with OC. Sometimes it is clear, sometimes the bottom of the bucket is yellow, from the same mix? Go figure!? It should settle out in 3 days or so. As long as you have it mixed for a day you should be fine.

+1 I would go ahead and use it unfiltered with no risk/concern

Onyx97 · 09/22/2011, 11:07 AM

Thanx for all of the input guys. I did a WC with the water straight to the DT, it was a lil cloudy for about 15 minutes then it went back to clear with no visible affects to the tank. I think I added too much salt too fast to the water. The next batch I make will be mixed slowly.

09/22/2011, 05:42 AM	#1
Onyx97 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 134	Did I do something wrong ? So I finally set up a WC station in my garage, got a new 32 gallon Brute to hold my saltwater. I bought the can and rinsed it out with some vinegar and water until it was squeaky clean and the smell of the vinegar was gone. Filled it up with distilled water that I do all my WC's with brought it up to 75 degrees then added my salt (Seachem Salinity). I have 2 Maxi-Jet's 1200's and a heater in there so there is plenty of circulation but after a day the water is still cloudy, I thought surely by now it would have cleared up. I checked the salinity and it is spot on 1.026 just as it should be for the amount of salt I added. Am I missing something here ? Did I do something wrong ? Is this water safe to use ?

09/22/2011, 05:52 AM	#2
jr_casteel1999 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: columbus,ohio Posts: 371	More than likely your salt. I know some salt brands are notorious for taking a long time to clear but I haven't never used seachem. Try reefcrystals. I have not had this issue with it but I have with other brands __________________ Out of the hobby.......For now. Current Tank Info: ro unit lol

09/22/2011, 06:35 AM	#4
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I ALWAYS use a diatom filter (System I) on my freshly made water. Try it just once - even if it "looks" clear, you will be amazed at how much stuff is in it. If you do not have a diatom filter, an old cannister filter stuffed with filter floss (pillow stuffing from wallyworld works well) will do the same thing, just a little slower. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

09/22/2011, 06:54 AM	#5
Flippers4pups Home made abyss Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lake Saint Louis, MO Posts: 2,047	You shouldn't have to filter freshly made salt water. IMHO micro filtering freshly made salt water could be removing trace elements that you want. If you have a residue issue in your freshly made salt water, you may want to change salt brands. __________________ Don Reefing since 1993 Current Tank info: 125 gallon DT , 125 gallon basement sump. Rw 15 & Rw 8. Panworld 150ps return. Reef Octopus 150 skimmer, 3 165w mars aqua led.

09/22/2011, 07:03 AM	#6
spieszak Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,877	Depending on the salt, mixing more slowly sure seems to help. (I use red sea coral pro) I have a ten gallon mixing container. I add two cups of salt and let that mix for a few hours or more, then add two more cups. That mixes at least over night, and then I add the last bit to tweak salinity when I'm ready for my water changes. Sounds like a pain, but once you get in the habit of doing it that way, its really not. __________________ I'm new to this saltwater thing, all comments should be taken with a BUCKET of salt! :-) -Stacey

09/22/2011, 06:32 AM	#3
csmfish Moved On Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: VA Posts: 1,055	I am having that issue with OC. Sometimes it is clear, sometimes the bottom of the bucket is yellow, from the same mix? Go figure!? It should settle out in 3 days or so. As long as you have it mixed for a day you should be fine.

09/22/2011, 07:24 AM	#7
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	You did nothing wrong. And it's safe to use (but you might run it thru a filter). I've had the same issue with IO salt. Some boxes are clear and some boxes are cloudy. I used to just add it to the DT cloudy and it would clear up in an hour or two. Now I add it thru a filter sock at a slower speed (like 25g over an hour) and the DT stays clear. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

09/22/2011, 11:07 AM	#9
Onyx97 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 134	Thanx for all of the input guys. I did a WC with the water straight to the DT, it was a lil cloudy for about 15 minutes then it went back to clear with no visible affects to the tank. I think I added too much salt too fast to the water. The next batch I make will be mixed slowly.

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