Re: IO Salt Question
 

Have you tested the new batch of IO saltwater to see how much alk, calc and mag it is giving you before adding that stuff? It could be that your current IO batch already has high(ish) levels of those chems and now you're trying to mix in more! Just a thought. Those levels can vary wildly from bucket to bucket, even with the expensive salts. I make it a habit to always test those levels with every new bucket before I dose anything.

My IO mixes do tend to to leave a tan residue in the mixing bucket. I always assumed that was normal :-). Hasn't seemed to affect anything for the 5 ish years I've been using it now.

Re: IO Salt Question
 

Definitely get the tan residue at the bottom of my mixing barrel. Every so often I just clean the barrel out with a vinegar mix. The bigger problem is the residue on the powerhead.

Again, I just assumed this is normal and appears that is the case.

I need to test Ca and Mg in the salt again. Been a bit lazy :-) It cleared up but I had to mix it for 48 hours. I think next time I will dissolve salt first and then do as Tom suggests and dissolve Ca and Mg separately and add it in that way. I guess the salt doesn't like going into water that already has CaCl and MgCl mixed in.