Bad Salt Mix

[Gulfdigger]

Has anyone encountered using a bad salt mix? I started my new reef tank (72g DT) and completed its cycle 2 weeks ago. I started checking the Ca, Alk, & Mag at that time along with the Nitrates/Nitrites/PH checks using Hanna Checkers. The first Alk, Ca, & Mag test week after the 10% water change was 7.8 , 363, 1150 with 35 salinity. This morning, after the water change, the Alk, Ca, & Mag again tested to 7.3, 361, & 1176 and all with 35 salinity. The salt mix is RedSea Coral Pro. While mixing this morning I noticed debris in the salt and cleaned them out. So I checked out the salt in the container and seen a lot of debris in the salt. So I used a sifter ( yes the junk I saw was that big) and got a noticeable amount out of a 3 gallon container of salt, a few pieces I got out looked like were light gray flakes of plastic. As of now I'm will not be using this salt, but will be getting another brand of salt mix. I'm slowly getting the levels up of on the Ca, Alk, mag over the next few days. The container bucket was sealed and in a sealed box when I received it. I will be contacting RedSea CS to get there input.

 

[Uncle99]

Used for more than a decade now, mixes clean to 11.5, 465 and 1365 every time, 51 buckets used.

Something weird there, see what they say.

 

[Orito]

are you following the mixing instructions? this salt can easily preciptate

 

[Gulfdigger]

the answer to that question is yes, to the letter. I understand the precipitation of this mix, but the Ca, Alk, or Mag will not do it that quickly and that low over the 1 hour time frame that it was mixed. RO/DI water was 0 TDS. I also mixed a 5 gallon batch for testing, the results Alk 7.5 , Cal 367, & mag 1195 with 35.2 Salinity which it consistent with the water in the tank. Also being there was trash in the container make me wonder if this batch slipped by somehow.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Did you happen to snap a photo of this debris? I'm curious to see for myself what you're describing.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Has anyone encountered using a bad salt mix? I started my new reef tank (72g DT) and completed its cycle 2 weeks ago. I started checking the Ca, Alk, & Mag at that time along with the Nitrates/Nitrites/PH checks using Hanna Checkers. The first Alk, Ca, & Mag test week after the 10% water change was 7.8 , 363, 1150 with 35 salinity. This morning, after the water change, the Alk, Ca, & Mag again tested to 7.3, 361, & 1176 and all with 35 salinity. The salt mix is RedSea Coral Pro. While mixing this morning I noticed debris in the salt and cleaned them out. So I checked out the salt in the container and seen a lot of debris in the salt. So I used a sifter ( yes the junk I saw was that big) and got a noticeable amount out of a 3 gallon container of salt, a few pieces I got out looked like were light gray flakes of plastic. As of now I'm will not be using this salt, but will be getting another brand of salt mix. I'm slowly getting the levels up of on the Ca, Alk, mag over the next few days. The container bucket was sealed and in a sealed box when I received it. I will be contacting RedSea CS to get there input.

Double check the salinity with another measurement instrument.
Make sure you temperature compensate correctly.

You're mixing in cold water and then only heating once completely dissolved, right?

 

[vetteguy53081]

The only issue ive had with Coral pro was High alk otherwise very good salt
I suspect false salinity reading and would calibrate your tester or take a water sample to a trusted LFS and have them test to compare with yours

 

[Gulfdigger]

I have checked the salinity with two refracs and a hanna probe all within .2 of each other. The LFS opens here on Tuesday.

 

[gbroadbridge]

I have checked the salinity with two refracs and a hanna probe all within .2 of each other. The LFS opens here on Tuesday.

Did you mix the salt in the bucket by rolling the bag around for a few minutes before mixing it with water?

The solids can separate into layers during transport.