cloudy salt mix

Alwmh4 · May 3, 2015

So I need advice. I mixed in my Reef Crystals in a big tub to add to my new aquarium. It was cloudy after an hour but I figured it just wasn't dissolved 100%. So I put it in aquarium with powerhead. 16 hr later its is still really cloudy. I know I mixed it too strong initially but I diluted it down. My question is do I just keep waiting or throw it all out? really hoping its not throwing it out bc my tank is 150 ga and with my ro it takes 2 days to fill

reefwiser · May 3, 2015

What happens is the salt mix in the container separated. Meaning the trace elements ,buffer and salt where not mixed together in the container when you added them to the water. Many people will shake the bag or bucket turning it up and down before using so this does not happen. A club member went so far as to get this.

http://www.lkgoodwin.com/more_info/two_wheel_drum_trucks/images/model_15.jpg

Alwmh4 · May 3, 2015

Oook so what do I do? Keep filling ? Stop and trash?

Alwmh4 · May 3, 2015

Will filter sock get this out? Aquascaping a cloudy tank isn't ideal

cginter · May 3, 2015

I'd let it sit for a day with a strong power head to see if it clears up. If not then I wouldn't want it in my tank. I had one batch of reef crystals do this to me but it did clear up over a 36hr period.

reefwiser · May 3, 2015

It should clear up

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 3, 2015

Mixing "too strong" can result in precipitation of calcium carbonate. Just let it settle out somewhere.

Alwmh4 · May 3, 2015

I think that's what happened. It's clearing up but there is a precip. As long as that not detrimental then I wint stress about it. There is nothing in the tank other than the water (about half way filled)

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 4, 2015

If there is no rock in the tank, there may be no place for the precipitate to settle out, so if you keep the water current on, it may stay cloudy until you put in the rock.

Alwmh4 · May 4, 2015

Ok. Rock day is tomm. Thank you!

Alwmh4 · May 24, 2015

an update: tank did end up clearing up. Took a couple days. Not sure if it was rock addition, the filter sock, or the skimmer that helped. maybe all of it plus time. Either way, its all good now