IO Salt problems

[BCReefer]

I had bought a box of IO salt. Never again, does it ever totally dissolve? I use to purchase Kent but for some reason I tried IO since I assumed all salt is created equally.

How many people use IO salt and have no problems?

I am mixing the salt the same way as I did the Kent and I never had any problems in the past.

Patrick

[Aquattro]

Patrick, I've used both and didn't see any difference. I just mixed up 100g of IO 2 weeks ago and it all dissolved in less than 4 hours.

[Delphinus]

Exactly how are you mixing the salt?

I'm sure you know this already, but just in case. Add the salt to the water, not the water to the salt. What happens is you put the salt in first, you instantly create a saturated solution which you then dilute. Potentially this can create a super-saturated solution in which certain solids precipitate out, which are no longer soluble in water. You also need to mix the solution very quickly. Supposedly there are also solids that if not dissolved right away, run the risk of never dissolving.

Craig Bingman did an article some time back about the "best" way to mix salt. He suggested going to the hardware store, and getting a paint mixer attachment for your drill. Use your drill and this whomping big egg-beater basically, and mix up your salt and then you're done mixing in a matter of minutes.

Try this link:
How to Mix a Batch of Synthetic Seawater in Under Five Minutes

[reefburnaby]

Hi,

I have found the IO salt takes longer to dissolve and it does it better at warmer temperatures. Kent...that stuff just melts in water, but not IO. My favourite technique is to use the bulb end of the turkey baster to swirl the water -- it seems to speed that process up. Paint mixer work well too...so does a Braun hand blender [img]smile.gif[/img] (j/k...I have never used a Braun for mixing salt).

- Victor.

[ldzielak]

Tony,

Thanks for answering a question I post last fall and got no answer for. When I moved to a 120g, I started using a 17 gallon Rubbermaid container with a kent float installed in the side, to automate some my water changes. After the first time around, I found I needed 7.5 full plastic cups for a salinity of .025 The next few time I made up water, I added salt first, waited to have 3 inches of water then turned on heater and power head. Come morning I would have ready made water. But when I added salt first I had some serious precipitation, did not know if I had a bad bucket or what.

Since then I just turn the water on, it fills and stops using the float. When I have enough level the pump and heater go on. When the container is full I just dump in my 7.5 cups on the outlet of the powerhead. Never had a problem since. I have only used IO salt and it dissolves fine this way for me. I do have lost of circulation in the container.

Thanks,

Lee

[BCReefer]

I usually start the water going through a filter and then into a bucket, after the water starts I then add the salt and I stir and stir and stir. I can leave it for hours and even a few days and some salt never dissolves. This never happened to me using Kent so I was curious on how everyone else did it.

I only have enough salt for 1 more bucket so I will purchase Kent next time. I will also try what del said and add the salt only after I have all the water.

Thanks for the info.
Patrick

[Canadian Man]

When Rob Toonen was in Calgary Delp and I got together with him and he mentioned the salt after all the water thing that Tony said.

works perfect, the one time i added the water to the salt i had alot of precipitate.