Rehydrating salt from QT...

[Wbrian]

Hi All!
Last time I added Fish to my DT was over a year ago. I'd forgotten to drain the tank after a noneventful QT period. Well, the tank has evaporated, leaving a huge chunk of salt at the bottom of the tank. Is there any reason to not just add RODI water to refill the tank? There were never any chemicals / treatments used.
I can' think of a reason not to use it again. Can you?
Thanks!
Brian

 

[andrewkw]

Dust and other particles in the air?

Unless you are using a swimming pool for qt you're not going to save much. It may not be the worst idea ever, but think of the risk/reward.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You cannot dry seawater and add back water to get seawater again because some things precipitate and will not redissolve. For example, calcium carbonate. That’s why no reef salt mix is just dried seawater.

 

[Wbrian]

You cannot dry seawater and add back water to get seawater again because some things precipitate and will not redissolve. For example, calcium carbonate. That’s why no reef salt mix is just dried seawater.

Hi Randy, but would that matter for a QT only tank? I'm not being argumentative. Just an interesting learning experience...

 

[redfishbluefish]

@Wbrian , you got some darn good advice for free in post #3.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If you resupplement alk it may be ok for a fish qt. Without alk the pH may drop through the floor.

 

[Wbrian]

Gotcha. Not worth the risk or effort

Thanks All!