Cloudy water?

[pdiehm]

Using instant ocean this is what the water looks like after 4 hours of mixing.

It's cloudy.

Is this normal?

 

[Shep]

Try taking some out in a glass and looking at it, I notice that sometimes it looks cloudy in my bucket but its just because of the color the bucket gives the water.

 

[pdiehm]

The thing that confuses me is straight rodi compared to this is almost invisible. Maybe it's my newbieness in saltwater that isn't realizing that saltwater, no matter how well mixed will never be as clear as pure unsalted water

 

[Dave3112]

It does look cloudy to me. How long has this batch been mixing? Some salts will be cloudy for a few hours after mixing.

 

[pdiehm]

That picture was taken after about 6 hours of mixing

 

[pdiehm]

And cloudy mix has been an ongoing problem for me using instant ocean. Think next batch I will use the reef crystals

 

[Dave3112]

Instant Ocean is the exact salt I was thinking about. It gets particularly cloudy when you get to the bottom of the bucket because the heavier salts in the mix seem to sink to the bottom. I don't have a scientific validation of this just my experience and common sense but I believe that is what happens.

 

[cymonous]

I would let it mix cold for a total of 24hrs and check it after. Make sure that powerhead is turned to either the left or right as much as possible so you get more of a whirlpool effect.

 

[pdiehm]

It will be 24+ by the time I can get to it. It was swirling good this morning. A friend just told me try using a stronger pump than the MJ1200. Only doing about 290 gph.

 

[saltyphish]

I use a mj1200 plenty of flow in a 5 gallon bucket. See what it looks like in 24 and if still cloudy maybe mix a new batch

It will be 24+ by the time I can get to it. It was swirling good this morning. A friend just told me try using a stronger pump than the MJ1200. Only doing about 290 gph.

 

[pdiehm]

This whole bucket has been cloudy. Using the mj1200 in a 32 gallon brute

 

[cymonous]

It will be 24+ by the time I can get to it. It was swirling good this morning. A friend just told me try using a stronger pump than the MJ1200. Only doing about 290 gph.

You could put it together into circulation mode instead. Should get about 1000+ gph that way.

 

[pdiehm]

Which mode is circulation? I have nothing on the input or output and put it in the bin?

 

[cymonous]

Look at the instructions it came with if you got em. Circulation mode looks like a regular pump with one inlet on the side and and outlet through the top. Powerhead mode is where you have the impeller sticking out of the pump with the cover(the way I believe you currently have it)

 

[pdiehm]

Yep that's what I have it in. It very well could be the salt mix

 

[cymonous]

Ok, I may have been wrong on how exactly to setup the mj1200. Circulation mode actually looks like what we normally use as a powerhead, with the grate cover on.

Aquarium Water Pumps & Water Movement: Marineland Maxi-Jet PRO

 

[pdiehm]

Think I have the parts still . Will adjust after kiddos baseball practice

 

[JOKER]

I too had trouble with reef crystals. I then found out they recommend heating water before adding salt. I switched to Red Sea and couldnt be happier. !!!

 

[glb]

I have a hard time getting reef crystals to dissolve completely, even using a powerhead for 24hrs. I pour it in slowly and follow the directions. I just don't get it.

 

[JOKER]

The last batch i had didnt give that much trouble but this one is bad so i decided to switch. Red Sea is awesome and is disolved in 30 miutes to an hour and mixes super clear.