Salt is solid

[GoVols]

No it's instant ocean salt

I've never seen IO with a blue tint.

Have no clue... if it's an bad batch, but if I were in your shoes. I'd take it back and get an refund.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Water would only risk precipitation of calcium carbonate, lowering alk. So after it is mixed and is settled and clear (not still cloudy), measure the alk to be sure it is ok.

A true blue color would, IMO, be bad and I wouldn’t use it as that has a good chance of being copper. One lady had moisture from cold water pipe condensation dripping that had a blue tint.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Water would only risk precipitation of calcium carbonate, lowering alk. So after it is mixed and is settled and clear (not still cloudy), measure the alk to be sure it is ok.

A true blue color would, IMO, be bad and I wouldn’t use it as that has a good chance of being copper. One lady had moisture from cold water pipe condensation dripping that had a blue tint.

That's a very good call. Now that you say that, when my parents were filling their pond. They left the garden hose on for 7 weeks to fill it (they live in the country and clearly dont have a water bill lol), and the copper pipes in the basement would sweat and drip onto the floor. To this day there are blue lines on the cement following the copper pipes on the ceiling.

 

[GoVols]

A true blue color would, IMO, be bad and I wouldn’t use it as that has a good chance of being copper. One lady had moisture from cold water pipe condensation dripping that had a blue tint.

the copper pipes in the basement would sweat and drip onto the floor. To this day there are blue lines on the cement following the copper pipes on the ceiling.

....
................ ;Writing

 

[Flippers4pups]

I'll chime in as well, I've used IO for years and never seen it turn blue like that. For that matter, any salt mix I've used.

I've, like others, have had it get "soild" from moisture before, but never a color other than white.

I'd pitch it.

 

[GoVols]

I'll chime in as well, I've used IO for years and never seen it turn blue like that. For that matter, any salt mix I've used.

I've, like others, have had it get "soild" from moisture before, but never a color other than white.

I'd pitch it.

FWIW:
I've only seen a blue tint like that one time and it was years ago.

The manufacturer would not say what is was, but they stepped up to the plate and said, do not use it.

They sent brand new buckets to everyone, to make things right.

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

Copper compounds can make salt look blue. I would not use that salt anymore. Probably test for copper I bet you, you'll find some in it.

 

[Sottish_Reefer]

Water would only risk precipitation of calcium carbonate, lowering alk. So after it is mixed and is settled and clear (not still cloudy), measure the alk to be sure it is ok.

A true blue color would, IMO, be bad and I wouldn’t use it as that has a good chance of being copper. One lady had moisture from cold water pipe condensation dripping that had a blue tint.

Thanks. I'll get in touch with instant ocean and see if I can get a refund.

Thanks for all the help guys. Really appreciate it [emoji106]

 

[Rockit]

Copper compounds can make salt look blue. I would not use that salt anymore. Probably test for copper I bet you, you'll find some in it.

I'd be interested in the results.

 

[rossco]

For what it’s worth, I have had 2 bags of salt over the years that must have had a small hole that I could tell had adsorbed water. The bag had a yellow tint to it. When mixing there was visible flecks of precipitate in the water. I adjusted the alk back to normal and used it. Both times I had Acropora recession shortly after. I won’t use a suspect salt again.

 

[Sottish_Reefer]

For what it’s worth, I have had 2 bags of salt over the years that must have had a small hole that I could tell had adsorbed water. The bag had a yellow tint to it. When mixing there was visible flecks of precipitate in the water. I adjusted the alk back to normal and used it. Both times I had Acropora recession shortly after. I won’t use a suspect salt again.

Better to be safe than sorry I guess

 

[vetteguy53081]

Blue tint is from moisture which caused it to solidify in first place. Honestly- not worth the chance of poor mix or disbursement of elements. Get a pail with an air-tight seal and store salt in it

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Blue tint is from moisture which caused it to solidify in first place. Honestly- not worth the chance of poor mix or disbursement of elements. Get a pail with an air-tight seal and store salt in it

Why and how do you think moisture caused it to turn blue?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Blue tint is from moisture which caused it to solidify in first place. Honestly- not worth the chance of poor mix or disbursement of elements. Get a pail with an air-tight seal and store salt in it

That's what I do. I have a white bucket with a lid that has a seal. I cut open a couple bags and dump it in it. Keeps it sealed.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Why and how do you think moisture caused it to turn blue?

The elements in the mix are now wet and clumping and normally fully dissolved are now exposed to moisture

 

[MnFish1]

Thanks. Forgot to mention that it has a blue tinge to it.

I swear I'm not Heisenberg [emoji23]

If the water (for example a dripping pipe) as compared to just 'humidity' has copper in it it will give it a blue tint. I would toss it (it has to be a mineral contamination from the water that got into the bucket)

Edit - @Randy Holmes-Farley etc beat me to it lol

 

[Tmmste]

I have experienced the same with Reef Crystals 4 years ago... also made by aquarium systems. It indeed looks a bit blue. I used the entire bucket though and never experienced anything negative.. why it turned blue.. nobody was able to tell me at that time.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The elements in the mix are now wet and clumping and normally fully dissolved are now exposed to moisture

That doesn’t explain what you believe is causing blue, and I don’t believe it does.

 

[MnFish1]

@Sottish_Reefer Did you decide to use the salt? The reason I was concerned about dripping from a pipe or something is that the blue tinge seemed to be concentrated in part of the bucket as compared to through the entire surface - or was that just the way the picture looked?

 

[Sottish_Reefer]

@Sottish_Reefer Did you decide to use the salt? The reason I was concerned about dripping from a pipe or something is that the blue tinge seemed to be concentrated in part of the bucket as compared to through the entire surface - or was that just the way the picture looked?

No I decided not to use it. I have emailed instant ocean but no reply as of yet. Didn't want to take the chance