Salt mix turn cloudy??

[vanz]

Here's the thing...does salt turn bad?

 

I just noticed recently that whenever I mix my saltwater (I'm using my old batch from last year btw), it turns cloudy the next day. It cleared up several hours after initial mixing, but in the morning, can't even see through it. This is in an empty glass tank.

 

It started 2 weeks ago when I first used the old mix, it did the exact same thing...I thought it was something else as I just started up my new tank. It looks like when you are cleaning sand. Despite the cloudiness, I just used it anyway as I was in need to fill up the rest of the tank.

 

I don't even remember how long it took to clear up, but it eventually did. It was diluted in with the other salt mix afterall.

 

The brand in question: Ocean Pure

 

In the current tank that I'm mixing now, it's straight up ocean pure. A nano stream is mixing up the salt.

 

What are your thoughts?

[impur]

I wouldn't use it. Did you do any tests on it? Was it sealed air tight and stored for the year you weren't using it?

[vanz]

Yes, it was vacuum sealed. And it wasn't even that long the last time I used it...max a year.

 

I haven't done any test. But the tank from 2 weeks ago, the corals have been doing fine...despite the lost of 2 chromis and a missing goby...

[impur]

Hmmm well if it tests fine, you might just drop some carbon in there. That should help clear it up.

[vanz]

oohhh I had bad experience with carbon...I used it last time to clear up the milky sand, and carbon debris was every where! Might have been because I left it there for over a week.

 

I'll try it again, what do I have to lose right? I'll also test it tonight too. I'm expecting a shipment of snails and was planning on using that tank as a quarantine.

[impur]

Just wash the carbon in RO water before you use it. That will take care of the debris.

[Ronjunior]

And use a nylon too.... my bag leaks from the top opening and the tied nylon works great as a second carbon bag.

[Nyles]

Typically carbon should be WELL rinsed, and stuffed in a nylon bag or ran in a phosban style reactor. I would never put any reef type product in my tank without thoroughly rinsing.

[vanz]

I put it in a nylon stocking....I only rinsed it a few times thinking it wouldn't do any harm. I'm going to rinse it more this time around.

[Jim]

I have been having the same cloudy issues while mixing new salt for about a year now. I have tried Kent, Instant Ocean, Red Sea. I was going to try Ocean pure but I picked up a box of Marin from Waves about an hour ago. I have tested for the basics and never found anything out of the norm with any brand. I have noticed I get an algae bloom after every water change when I used Instant Ocean and Red Sea. Nothing horrible, but a bloom none the less. My ro/di usually shows between 1 to 3 tds. I have not purchased a phosphate kit yet but that is my next step.

[Michael7979]

If you are getting this out of every batch you make and you are using different salts but the same source of water.

I would think you need to look into water issues.

 

I would not use any SW that mixed up cloudy, just my $.02

[vanz]

The mix is now crystal clear after 3 days. Tests all seem to be okay. I guess the older the salt...the longer it takes to mix?

[dsoz]

Some salt will absorb carbon dioxide from the air to make a carbonate. Carbonates tend to not dissolve well in the short term. They do establish an equilibrium with the water, and they can out-gas carbon dioxide so the problem can tend to clear up.

 

If ALL parameters test fine (pH, salinity, calcium, alkalinity, nitrate, phosphate, etc.) then it should be OK to use once it clears and reaches equilibrium.

 

It is sort of the same problem that some encounter when dosing both cal and alk together, you get a cloudy percipitate of calcium carbonate that will slowly clear.

 

dsoz

[impur]

Interesting. Good explanation dsoz!!

 

I wonder if you add an airstone to the water for a day if it would help at all?

[defigart]

I have always heard you should mix water with an airstone in at the same time.

 

I am sure that dsoz can show us the explanation for this (whistle) But I do it and usually the only problem I have is that I add to much salt, and then have to add more water.

[impur]

I add an airstone to the water to help raise the pH, it drives off excess CO2. I have to put the airpump outside and the run the airline to the tub. Luckily my laundry tub, RO unit, and garage door are right next to each other

[vanz]

Hmm that's the first i've heard about adding an airstone. I'll see if I can dig my old one up.

 

So...water didn't clear up as I thought. There are particles that refuses to dissolve. They are floating on top and above the water line. They are also lining the bottom and pump, places I can't reach with a mag float.