Old salt? (not the sailor type)

CavalierReef · May 12, 2020

I've been out of the hobby for several years and am re-taking the plunge. I have "live rock" that I stored in 2003 that I am going to re-use. I also have a bucket of Instant Ocean from that era. It was unopened until yesterday and I was surprised to find that it is not clumped at all. I looks just like a fresh bucket. I intend to uses it to "re-cure" my live rock and wonder if it is still usable in my aquarium. Most of the ingredients are inert, right? I would appreciate advice and opinions. Thanks.

X-37B · May 12, 2020

17 year old salt!
IO is so cheap I would not use it for anythimg but the rock.

homer1475 · May 12, 2020

Brand new unopened bucket, and the salt isn't caked up? I would use it. I would test it for the big 3, but I wouldn't hesitate to use it.

WVNed · May 12, 2020

I think if it mixes up clear without any precipitate it would be fine.

andrewey · May 12, 2020

I'd use it.

Rmckoy · May 12, 2020

I’d use it !!!

if the rocks were stored for that long . I’d at least wash them to get most of the dead rotting gunk out before starting .

the least you start off with ,I believe the less troubles you could have later .

DesertReefT4r · May 12, 2020

Sealed and unopened I say use it.

therootcause · May 12, 2020

I'd use it. I bought an 11 year old box of Reef Crystals for $20 on fb. Doing fine.

andrewkw · May 12, 2020

Agree with everyone else it should be fine. If it's not you will find out before it goes in your tank (precipitation / testing it before dumping it in).

CavalierReef · May 12, 2020

Rmckoy said:
I’d use it !!!

if the rocks were stored for that long . I’d at least wash them to get most of the dead rotting gunk out before starting .

the least you start off with ,I believe the less troubles you could have later .

Rmckoy, I intend to lay the rock on a tarp in the sun(if we ever get any) and power wash it. See any problem with that?