I'm doing something wrong mixing salt - Randy?

pdiehm · Feb 5, 2015

I'm setting up the QT tank to cycle. I just made 20 gallons of saltwater in 5 gallon increments, and using 1/2 cup per gallon.

I add in 1/2 cup every 30 minutes or so to a 5 gallon bucket with a maxijet 1200, once the water reaches 68-70 degrees.

Problem is the water ends up being a milky white/hazy once the saltwater is added to the tank.

What am I doing wrong here? I've tried adding it to cold ro/di water, same thing. I heat it up, and the same thing happens. So obviously I'm doing something wrong. What's the process some of you who get clear water are using?

I've pretty much gone through a bag of IO salt because I just can't get this stuff to mix clear and it's starting to **** me off quite frankly.

kacrocorals581 · Feb 5, 2015

I let my salt sit over night to clear up how long are you waiting before you put it in your tank to when you mix it

pdiehm · Feb 5, 2015

Usually a few hours. Though I have mixed it for 24 hours and it's still cloudy. That's why I think I'm doing something wrong here. It looks to be clear when it's in the bucket, but when I add it to the tank, it has a milky shade to it.

I'm new to this game, so I am 99% sure that i'm not doing something right here.

Skynyrd Fish · Feb 5, 2015

Do you have a refractometer? Also its a good idea to mix up the bag of salt before you mix it with water. Letting it sit for a day to mix with the powerhead is a good idea. Test your tank water. If its where you want it you should be good to go. How long does the cloudiness last when you add new water to the tank?

kacrocorals581 · Feb 5, 2015

yeah what is the salinity of the tank vs what you make are you testing it ?

pdiehm · Feb 5, 2015

I've had water in the tank now for 2 weeks, and it's remained a milky white cloudy.

I'll stop and get a new bag of salt. Not overly concerned about the salinity at this point, should be around 1.021, I'm more concerned with getting the mixing process down so it's clear.

BetURWrasse · Feb 5, 2015

I think this also depends on the type of salt used. I know Red Sea Coral Pro has a specific Temp and mixing time they recommend. Then you heat it if necessary and add to the tank.

I think I had to do something with Aquavitro Salinity also.

What salt are you using?

pdiehm · Feb 5, 2015

Instant Ocean

redfishbluefish · Feb 5, 2015

Are you using RO/DI water?

pdiehm · Feb 5, 2015

redfishbluefish said:
Are you using RO/DI water?

yes

redfishbluefish · Feb 5, 2015

One more question......how old is the salt and how long has that bag been open? I've noticed with RC and IO that when the bag turns a light yellow color, the salt is shot. I'm guessing the salt picks up moisture and causes carbonate precipitation. It won't mix up to complete dissolution. I've actually seen a batch that looked like a snow-globe, with bits of white whipping about.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 5, 2015

There is often some calcium carbonate that will settle out. I just let it settle and ignore it.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 5, 2015

Here's what the bottom of my IO mixing barrel looks like after a while:

What is that Precipitate in My Reef Aquarium? by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

from it:

[TABLE="width: 69%, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD]

Figure 1. The residue on the bottom of the plastic trash can that I use to mix Instant Ocean. I rarely clean it out. The solid is most likely calcium carbonate.

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

phillrodrigo · Feb 5, 2015

Mine too but I clean it. It starts to loosen up and you get the pieces inside the water.

pdiehm · Feb 5, 2015

redfishbluefish said:
One more question......how old is the salt and how long has that bag been open? I've noticed with RC and IO that when the bag turns a light yellow color, the salt is shot. I'm guessing the salt picks up moisture and causes carbonate precipitation. It won't mix up to complete dissolution. I've actually seen a batch that looked like a snow-globe, with bits of white whipping about.

Salt bucket is only a month or so old. I'm going to pick up a new bucket and hope that it's the salt and not something I am doing wrong. From what I've read here, and what others have said, I'm doing it right, possible that I got a bad batch of salt (naturally my first bucket would be bad).

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 5, 2015

pdiehm said:
Salt bucket is only a month or so old. I'm going to pick up a new bucket and hope that it's the salt and not something I am doing wrong. From what I've read here, and what others have said, I'm doing it right, possible that I got a bad batch of salt (naturally my first bucket would be bad).

As long as you are mixing salt into water, and don't let the salt sit on the bottom, you are doing fine.

Unheated water would tend to have less precipitation than heated seawater.

pdiehm · Feb 5, 2015

Thanks guys. From what I am reading it should clear up, but it isn't. When i dump in the tank after a day or so it gets very cloudy.

I have my AC20 running with 2 425 gph nano power heads. Should I shut that stuff off and see if it clears up? I am stopping to get a new bucket tonight and mixing up a new batch of 20g water. With me setting up my 120 in the next week or so, I need to get this right.

joekool · Feb 5, 2015

Doesn't your bag give you a mixing time. I use Red Sea coral pro red bag and it says 30min max 4hours mixing time. White cloudiness is calcium precipitation.
What is the Ca level in tank

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 5, 2015

pdiehm said:
Thanks guys. From what I am reading it should clear up, but it isn't. When i dump in the tank after a day or so it gets very cloudy.

I have my AC20 running with 2 425 gph nano power heads. Should I shut that stuff off and see if it clears up? I am stopping to get a new bucket tonight and mixing up a new batch of 20g water. With me setting up my 120 in the next week or so, I need to get this right.

Is the tank set up with rock and such in it so there are places for solids to settle out?

Was it settled and clear when added? If not, stop stirring it overnight before use.

pdiehm · Feb 5, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Is the tank set up with rock and such in it so there are places for solids to settle out?

Was it settled and clear when added? If not, stop stirring it overnight before use.

It's just a plain 20G long QT. no decorations. Glass and water.

As for if it was settled and clear...It appeared to be, although the bucket is blue, so it was hard to tell.

I almost wonder if I'm better off just skipping the powerhead when mixing, sprinkle in 2.5 cups and let it dissolve on its own.