Storing Salt

[Checkitout]

I like to buy boxes of salt and was wondering if instead of keeping it in a plastic bag and in the cardboard box that it came in would putting it in a Rubbermaid storage container be ok? I do not want to contaminate the salt with and harmful stuff that the container may have.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

It's gonna be relatively the same plastic that salt comes shipped in, shouldn't hurt. Just keep the humidity away and you'll be fine.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Why do you want to remove it from the plastic bag?

 

[jkapit]

I like to buy boxes of salt and was wondering if instead of keeping it in a plastic bag and in the cardboard box that it came in would putting it in a Rubbermaid storage container be ok? I do not want to contaminate the salt with and harmful stuff that the container may have.

I throw the bags into a Rubbermaid container for storage and keep 9-12 month supply on hand and have not had a problem. I do not take it out of the bag though since I use three bags each time I mix NSW.

 

[Larry L]

The container will probably not be a problem, but if you take it out of the bag, it would be hard to keep all the humidity out, and it might harden into a giant rock. I've had that happen with salt that I stored for a long time, even with it still in the bag inside the box - sometimes the bags are not 100% moisture-proof over long periods of time.

 

[Checkitout]

Double post

 

[Checkitout]

Why do yuo want to remove it from the plastic bag?

I was thinking by putting it in a rubber maid storage container with a lid would be bettet protection against moisture than the box and plastic bag. Just a thought.

 

[Jdgreef24]

I open the box when I get it and toss it in a food grade bucket with an extremely annoying super tight lid. That way when I do use it it's easy to scoop.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I was thinking by putting it in a rubber maid storage container with a lid would be bettet protection against moisture than the box and plastic bag. Just a thought.

If the goal is keeping moisture out, I'd put the bag of salt in the container, not loose salt, for better protection.

 

[Checkitout]

If the goal is keeping moisture out, I'd put the bag of salt in the container, not loose salt, for better protection.

Ok thanks

 

[dangros]

FWIW, Here's how I do it:
I stack 2 empty IO salt buckets next to my Brute trash cans. I take one bag out of the 200g box, rip a hole in the top, and put it in the top bucket. The other bags remain in the box till needed. The bottom bucket acts like a pedestal so there is less bending over, and less distance to the Brute = less salt spillage overall. Soon as I'm done w/the salt, I close the lid on the IO salt bucket. It seals very nicely and everything stays nice and dry.

 

[WWIII]

I use these gamma lids. Home Depot, Lowes, Amazon all sell them. I just leave the salt in the bag and put it in a 5 gallon bucket. These are air tight and screw on/off. I've got several in my fishroom, very handy!

 

[hensdogg]

I use these gamma lids. Home Depot, Lowes, Amazon all sell them. I just leave the salt in the bag and put it in a 5 gallon bucket. These are air tight and screw on/off. I've got several in my fishroom, very handy!

This is what I do also, works great! Makes it easy to measure and scoop for water changes.

 

[Forsaken77]

I use these gamma lids. Home Depot, Lowes, Amazon all sell them. I just leave the salt in the bag and put it in a 5 gallon bucket. These are air tight and screw on/off. I've got several in my fishroom, very handy!

I use the same thing on my byckets. I dump 3 bags of salt into a 5 gallon bucket with the gamma seal lid and it keeps all the moisture out. Plus it's easier that ripping off a regular lid when you can just uncrew it

 

[Mark Waltermire]

I use these gamma lids. Home Depot, Lowes, Amazon all sell them. I just leave the salt in the bag and put it in a 5 gallon bucket. These are air tight and screw on/off. I've got several in my fishroom, very handy!

I would agree that if storing it in a rubbermaid trash can then keep it in the bag or use some gamma lids on buckets. Does anyone else remember the good old days when the buckets of Instant Ocean used to come with Gamma Seals on their buckets? I was never able to take advantage of those as I wasn't using much salt at the time.

 

[Steve McGlamery]

I buy 200 gal boxes of salt and transfer it to sandwich baggies. I put 25 oz in each baggie and store the baggies in a IO bucket. When I mix my salt water mix, I take two baggies and mix with my RODI water and come out with a salt mix right at 1026 to do my water changes. Approx 10 gal per week in a 120 gal tank.

 

[cilyjr]

sometimes the bags are not 100% moisture-proof over long periods of time.

When Salts that are not anhydrous for very long periods of time and/or exposed to extreme temp changes (ie storing in your garage in New England) the water crystals in the salt can cause issues. Most salts are not anhydrous. I think salinity and aquavitro are.

 

[cilyjr]

I think once most salt mixes are exposed to air, some carbonate minerals will form and you'll lose alkilinity as well

 

[Checkitout]

Well I just bought a food grade 6 gallon bucket with a gamma lid. Thanks all.

 

[cilyjr]

It's gonna be fine if its sitting for months. Years however might be an issue