Crushed coral smell

[Makubex]

I have dry crushed coral, never used, smells like mint, is that normal? Im confused.

 

[Makubex]

Hello?

 

[Oregon Grown Reef]

Odd. I've never purchased it before, but I wouldn't expect it to have a scent in general. Maybe contact the manufacturer?

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

After rinsing it?
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Is it mint colored? Lol
D

 

[Makubex]

Havent rinsed it yet, is mostly white, a little bit tan, if you inhale the smell deep it smells like 100% mint

 

[busfullofderps]

Something may have been spilled on it, or a cleaner. Is it going into a new tank to be cycled? Or into an existing system?

 

[Makubex]

Something may have been spilled on it, or a cleaner. Is it going into a new tank to be cycled? Or into an existing system?

Is going in a tank with bio spira in it(this cycles sw tanks like a champ in 48 hours-used it before) after the 48 hours, fish and/or corals might be going in but not sure atm, might make it a fowlr with different fish after theyre quarantined and certainly no corals if thats the choice made, is a 125

 

[busfullofderps]

Since the mystery smell is unknown, perhaps let it cycle a bit longer with a few water changes before adding livestock? If you want to be really safe, clean your crushed coral in boiling water and leave in sun to dry. Will be hard with the volume needed for a 125...

 

[Chortanator]

When I first got premixed salt from my LFS, I was 100% convinced that it smelled like pool chlorine. I was paranoid about putting it in the tank, but my LFS assured me it was fine. I guess it was fine, because nothing bad happened to my tank at all - I guess it's hard to say if a smell is actually what we think it is, or if it's just minerals replicating certain scents.

 

[Makubex]

The guy i bought it from says hes used that same crushed coral in his reef tank.

 

[busfullofderps]

Go for it, but add livestock slow to allow time for any potential problems reveal themselves before hurting your fish/corals.

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

I’ve noticed PetCo and PetSmart, use this mopping solution that smells like mint. I guess it’s to cover up the doggie smell.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Very abnormal and I believe there is a shelf date on bag. Sound like sun exposure in which may be algae buildup

 

[Makubex]

Very abnormal and I believe there is a shelf date on bag. Sound like sun exposure in which may be algae buildup

Yes it was in the sun, im rinsing some and once it is dry again ill smell it, how do you know all of this though? Did you study marine biology I just got certified from abc college, also what do you mean by shelf date?Most reef tanks have had their sand for years

 

[vetteguy53081]

Yes it was in the sun, im rinsing some and once it is dry again ill smell it, how do you know all of this though? Did you study marine biology I just got certified from abc college

38 years in hobby and also Full line pet store owner.

 

[Makubex]

Oh wow! Could you explain me a little more about shelf date? I thought sand or crushed coral doesnt expire

 

[Rmckoy]

Oh wow! Could you explain me a little more about shelf date? I thought sand or crushed coral doesnt expire

Everything has a shelf life ( how long something can sit on a shelf before or is said to spoil ( deteriorate from new ) in any form .

for example : sugar years ago it was used as a preservative . It never goes bad why does it have a expiry date ?

bottled water ?
Does it really go bad if it’s sealed ?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Oh wow! Could you explain me a little more about shelf date? I thought sand or crushed coral doesnt expire

the two major manufacturers place a white label on the bags which is a safe life for the bacteria cultures in the bags

 

[dedragon]

the two major manufacturers place a white label on the bags which is a safe life for the bacteria cultures in the bags

the op stated dry crushed coral in the first post, how would there be an expiration date for non live sand?