Clumped salt

[DrewBR]

Hey R2R!

Last year I bought a large box of salt (25kgs) for a large tank that ended up not being setup due to a move for work. I did open it, and used about 4kgs or so last year but ended up with a large portion unused. Now I'm setting up a new reef tank, just 20G, could I use that salt still, it was left mostly sealed but it did clump up some.

I heard that it may precipitate carbonates, resulting in low kH, could I maybe buffer it up? (I do have sealed bags of kH buffer)
Is there anything else that I should pay attention to? Anything else that could be off balance?

I could just get new salt but I would hate seing so much salt go to waste

 

[Jason_MrFrags]

If you can mix it up all in one batch would be best. Otherwise just mix and use, but be aware that some parameters may be off.

 

[Dan_P]

Hey R2R!

Last year I bought a large box of salt (25kgs) for a large tank that ended up not being setup due to a move for work. I did open it, and used about 4kgs or so last year but ended up with a large portion unused. Now I'm setting up a new reef tank, just 20G, could I use that salt still, it was left mostly sealed but it did clump up some.

I heard that it may precipitate carbonates, resulting in low kH, could I maybe buffer it up? (I do have sealed bags of kH buffer)
Is there anything else that I should pay attention to? Anything else that could be off balance?

I could just get new salt but I would hate seing so much salt go to waste

I feel the same way. I would want to use it but would make up a batch of saltwater and check the alkalinity, calcium and magnesium levels.

 

[DrewBR]

I feel the same way. I would want to use it but would make up a batch of saltwater and check the alkalinity, calcium and magnesium levels.

I'm out of the calcium tests right now but I'm trying a 1g batch.

kH is sitting at about 5,3
Mg at a little over 1500

There seem to be some particulates still on the water, I'm assuming some of the carbonates. I'm thinking I might just give it to someone with a fowler or a softie focused aquarium

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

5.3 dKH? That's certainly a sign of significant precipitation, if accurate. Whether it took anything else down with it (besides calcium, such as iron)) is an open question, but I'd probably use it, boosting the alk and calcium.

 

[DrewBR]

5.3 dKH? That's certainly a sign of significant precipitation, if accurate. Whether it took anything else down with it (besides calcium, such as iron)) is an open question, but I'd probably use it, boosting the alk and calcium.

There seems to bve some brownish red precipitate in the bucket I left over night, I figured it could be some iron oxide in some form. It could be just some dust since it has been really dry and I live by a park. I'll test agian once I get the Ca reagents. Thanks!