Old salt

[CourtNjoeZreef]

So my dad used to keep salt tanks probably 35yrs ago and had some salt left over. Think this is still good?

I mean it's just salt right =P

 

[Sarcazian]

So, 35 years is a long time... I can tell you that I have used 9-10 year old Trop and it mixed up fine. I had 1/2 a 5gal pail from my old 46g bow that I dug up in the attic when starting again. The brute in the garage also had trop SW with LR in it and that was still good after 8 years of sitting. A minor slime coat on top, but otherwise no issues and tested fine.

I would think as long as it didn't get moisture and is clumpy you should be good.... but I have even used 9-10 year old clumpy reef crystals fine in QT (tank switch method) and local inhabitants tanks. I wouldn't recommend it though.

 

[Zer0]

35 years is a long time. I would worry about stratification at that age. At the very least I would set aside anything solid pieces that have clumped together over time, if there are any of course.

 

[PeterC99]

Did you try mixing a small batch and testing parameters?

Comes down to risk/reward. How much did all the fish and corals cost in your setup?

 

[Zer0]

Did you try mixing a small batch and testing parameters?

Comes down to risk/reward. How much did all the fish and corals cost in your setup?

Big +1 to this.

I had a 200G bucket of Oceanic that was 3/4 full, but it was 10 years old and had some large solidified chunks in it. I tossed the whole thing and bought a new box of IO. Just wasn’t worth taking the risk.

 

[CMMorgan]

Dang y'all though .... aren't you curious? I'd love him to mix up a batch and run an ICP on that to see what it has absorbed over the years.
(Editing for clarity - no, I would not use it to support life.... but I would use it to melt ice on the driveway if I still lived in Jersey)

 

[reefingaz]

Did you try mixing a small batch and testing parameters?

Comes down to risk/reward. How much did all the fish and corals cost in your setup?

Bingo! I would not put anything in my tank that is that old, goor or bad the savings of the old salt is not worth it. The sand alone in my tank is with more than a bag of salt so why risk my fish,corals and time spent, on savings of using 35yr old salt. Even if parameters are still in line that’s a huge risk I would not take.

 

[CourtNjoeZreef]

It was in my dad's basement cool dry area. The bag feels soft and it flows around in it. In fact there is still air in the bag!

I might use a little and see what it does.

 

[CourtNjoeZreef]

Dang y'all though .... aren't you curious? I'd love him to mix up a batch and run an ICP on that to see what it has absorbed over the years.
(Editing for clarity - no, I would not use it to support life.... but I would use it to melt ice on the driveway if I still lived in Jersey)

I live in Jersey. Good point.

 

[CMMorgan]

It was in my dad's basement cool dry area. The bag feels soft and it flows around in it. In fact there is still air in the bag!

I might use a little and see what it does.

Please keep us updated ... my inner Bill Nye is very curious.

 

[PeterC99]

Know what they say about curiosity...

 

[fishface NJ]

If there are no chunks, I would use it. Salt is salt

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

IMO, alkalinity after it is clear and settled is a good gauge of the suitability. Calcium carbonate precipitation is the main event in aging salt mixes.