Instant Ocean salt

[Buddyboy]

Hi All,

I mixed the salt and RO water in my tank. Now I have a bunch of white undissolved particles on the bottom of the tank! There are two powerheads in the tank so there is lots of flow. Will these particles eventually dissolve? If not, will they be harmful to the critters in the tank? Bad batch of salt perhaps? Any thoughts????? Thanks in advance!

Bud

[Beverly]

If you haven't already done so, take one powerhead and direct the water flow along the bottom of the tank. This will help mix the stuff that has settled on the bottom to get into the water column and dissolve.

[charlesr1958]

Those particles could be the result of your box/bag/bucket of salt having been exposed to humidity, any time salt mixes are allowed to get moist, (or sit open) the concentrated "mix" will allow reactions to occur that will basicaly form calcium carbonate and a few other compounds. Which is why it is important to not add water to the salt mix, but to add the salt to the amount of water you are preparing to avoid any unwanted reactions. The idea is to avoid a salt paste or slurry as you are mixing it.

Chuck

[marie]

Originally Posted by charlesr1958

Those particles could be the result of your box/bag/bucket of salt having been exposed to humidity, any time salt mixes are allowed to get moist, (or sit open) the concentrated "mix" will allow reactions to occur that will basicaly form calcium carbonate and a few other compounds. Which is why it is important to not add water to the salt mix, but to add the salt to the amount of water you are preparing to avoid any unwanted reactions. The idea is to avoid a salt paste or slurry as you are mixing it.

Chuck

Welcome to canreef, Charlesr1958, It's always nice to have knowledgable people joining the board . I recognize you from the marinedepot forums

*Edit* Oops, I mean it's nice to see everyone join, not just knowledgable people

[Buddyboy]

hmmmmm Well, I added the salt mix to the tank after it was filled with RO water. If these pieces don't dissolve should I remove them? Will they harm any of the little critters in the tank?

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Buddyboy

hmmmmm Well, I added the salt mix to the tank after it was filled with RO water. If these pieces don't dissolve should I remove them? Will they harm any of the little critters in the tank?

I wouldn't worry to much as stated they are mostly calcium carbonate and inert (as they won't desolve easily) they won't hurt anything as they are basicly sand. if you don't like the looks you could syphon them out.

Steve

[marie]

Originally Posted by Buddyboy

hmmmmm Well, I added the salt mix to the tank after it was filled with RO water. If these pieces don't dissolve should I remove them? Will they harm any of the little critters in the tank?

The particles won't hurt the critters in your tank

[Buddyboy]

Phew! Was worried I might need to dump all my store bought RO water out and start again. Thanks for putting my mind at ease.

P.S. Happy Easter!

[niloc16]

as they said before just syphon them out if you want and you wont have to worry. but they will not hurt the livestock

[charlesr1958]

Originally Posted by marie

Welcome to canreef, Charlesr1958, It's always nice to have knowledgable people joining the board . I recognize you from the marinedepot forums

*Edit* Oops, I mean it's nice to see everyone join, not just knowledgable people

Thanks Marie, and it was your linking to this forum that allowed me to find it, which I am glad I did, seems a friendly crowd and not all "holier than though" as is found in a few other sites. I need alot more than one forum to keep my mind busy on my non-reef swimming days...lol Not sure if I would agree with knowledgable though..lol, am still learning ALOT, as you see in my new endevours with coral identifications at marine depot with Eric. Thanks again for the welcome.