Stop Salt from turning into a Rock!

[Johnny-Max]

I am about to buy a bucket of Instant Ocean. I am concerned that it will get moisture in it and turn into a giant rock.
Is there a way to affordably keep moisture out?

 

[blaxsun]

Close the lid...? I can't speak to Instant Ocean, but my Tropic Marin comes in a bag which I keep zip-tied inside the sealed bucket in a room with a dehumidifier.

 

[AydenLincoln]

Not anyway that I’ve found unfortunately! Especially since sometimes I get it as a block of salt lol!

 

[blaxsun]

Not anyway that I’ve found unfortunately! Especially since sometimes I get it as a block of salt lol!

Free salt lick with your salt.

 

[JTP424]

If you get the actual bucket, be sure to seal it after use, keep the original lid and snap it down after you take what you need. Personally haven't had any issues with the entire bucket turning solid. I only use about 5 gallons (2.5 cups) worth a week though.

 

[mfinn]

I suppose buying the appropriate size container would be helpful.
You say you are going to buy a bucket ( 160 gallons). Is this going to take you a year to use up? If that's the case maybe smaller containers would be better.
As already pointed out, close the lid.

 

[AydenLincoln]

Free salt lick with your salt.

For real though sometimes I open it and a giant puff of salt comes out at me *cough *cough gross!

 

[vetteguy53081]

I am about to buy a bucket of Instant Ocean. I am concerned that it will get moisture in it and turn into a giant rock.
Is there a way to affordably keep moisture out?

Place a fish bag over the top before you apply lid OR pour into a tick mil bag and seal then close bucket

 

[zheka757]

I guess I don't have this problem because this bucket last me 2 weeks worth of water changes.

 

[AydenLincoln]

I guess I don't have this problem because this bucket last me 2 weeks worth of water changes.

Massive tank problems…can’t relate lol!

 

[yanetterer]

I usually get 6 to 9 months out of a bucket and don’t have any problems except for different ingredients settling.

I make sure the bucket is far enough from the mixing container that when I add the salt there isn’t any chance of water splashing into to salt bucket. That and making sure the lid is always on when I’m done.

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

I use Reef Crystals, so I would think the IO Buckets would be the same. The Lid has a nice rubber gasket on it, there are four places to snap it down, for a tight seal. Never had a problem with clumping or solidifying.

 

[John Bolden]

I wonder if you could get a massive salt grinder...

 

[exnisstech]

I use instant ocean and reef crystals and don't have a problem. I have two buckets with these lids because it's easier for me to open them. I just pour in the salt and it gets mixed at the same time.

 

[yanetterer]

I use instant ocean and reef crystals and don't have a problem. I have two buckets with these lids because it's easier for me to open them. I just pour in the salt and it gets mixed at the same time.

Gamma seal lid (just an FYI for anyone wondering since the product name may not be obvious in the screenshot).

I have one on my mixing bucket and they are a great.

 

[Bucs20fan]

I have my salt in the closet in the room with 300 gallons worth of aquariums so there is plenty of humidity, and just keep the lid shut. as in all the way and it wont cake up. Its that easy.

 

[Sleeping Giant]

IO and reef crystals have a sealed lid. As long as water isn't splashed into the bucket you'll be good.
It's not a bad idea to also roll the bucket to churn the ingredients in the bucket, for a more even salt mix before making any saltwater.

 

[StatelineReefer]

I use instant ocean and reef crystals and don't have a problem. I have two buckets with these lids because it's easier for me to open them. I just pour in the salt and it gets mixed at the same time.

I'm going to second these lids. Easy open and rubber seal. just don't get moisture in and your salt lasts for as long as you need it to.

 

[Tired]

You can also get another container to transfer the salt into, if for some reason you don't like the bucket. Should be fine as long as you keep the lid on when not removing salt, though.

 

[AydenLincoln]

Also I should note the blocks that I got from IO were in the bags and that was new. And I’ve gotten the same from different manufacturers.