Salt is damp

[WhiskeyCoffee]

Just started to mix up some saltwater for a water change and I noticed the Instant Ocean salt in the bottom of the bag is "damp." It's not soaking wet or anything, just kind of has a damp texture to it. Is it toast?

 

[K. Steven]

Was the bag well sealed? I've found reef salt to be very hygroscopic, so keep it sealed really well.

 

[WhiskeyCoffee]

Was the bag well sealed? I've found reef salt to be very hygroscopic, so keep it sealed really well.

It was sealed about as well as a bag of potato chips. I just rolled it up and had a rubber band around it to keep it from opening.

 

[Crashjack]

It was sealed about as well as a bag of potato chips. I just rolled it up and had a rubber band around it to keep it from opening.

I keep mine in the garage and sometimes if there is just a small amount left in the bag and we’ve had a good bit of rain or excessive humidity, it feels a little damp. It mixes fine and yields the salinity I expect based on the amount I add in my mixing station so I’ve never worried about it.

 

[K. Steven]

It was sealed about as well as a bag of potato chips. I just rolled it up and had a rubber band around it to keep it from opening.

If it has only been damp for a short period, it should be fine. Check to see it mixes completely. I've had moisture get into salt before and there was precipitate at the bottom of the mixing container that never dissolved.