Salts

[diana a]

I have been using Red Sea Pro for a few years. I bought IO Crystals from an Amazon special that a few on here bought that was a super price. I setup my 40B because keeping my (3) 10g QT stable is harder. Red Sea Pro mixes up within 3-4 hours. I added RODI water to the 40B and opened the IO Crystals yesterday morning. It has been mixing with NYOS pump 1325gph for about 30 hours now and is still not clear. How long does this stuff take to mix?

 

[Mrx7899x]

How cloudy is it? I use regular instant ocean and after 24 hours is clear.

 

[diana a]

Two shots of the 40b and the other tank is sitting next to the 40b for reference. The rock tank has Red Sea Pro

 

[Mrx7899x]

Was the water heated or cold when you put the salt in.

 

[diana a]

cold and now is 68 due to room temp of the garage. Does this need to be heated to clear?

 

[Mrx7899x]

Its probably precipitation. Reef crystals has elevated levels the water might of been to cold and it caused it to precipitate.

 

[diana a]

So to avoid precipitation (cloudy water), I should have heated the water before adding the salt?

 

[MadReefer]

Sounds right. I had this problem, once heated it cleared quickly.

 

[Mrx7899x]

If the water is really cold like under 60 degrees I would heat it first.

 

[Mrx7899x]

BRS has some really good salt mixing videos

 

[Sponge]

Agree with temp-salt-percipitation. Would like to add simply to share info. That I switched to tropic Marin Pro. And must say. Amazing stuff. Mixes clear. Almost without regard for temp in less than an hour. (But Wouldn’t use it that quick). Makes zero dust cloud when handled less than carefully (amazing) does not clump. And after months of use I have no staining, crusting, or buildup of any kind on jugs, containers... etc. YES it’s expensive. But can be found on sale. (Purchased last 200 gal buckets for 75 per pale). All salts work... this is no dis of any brand. You can find 1000’s of successful tanks using any brand out there. But for my piece of mind the pharmaceutical grade mix with absolutely zero byproduct has a ton of long term value in our hobby and I say kudos to TM for at least providing the option of what may be the purest mix available.

 

[diana a]

This temp-salt-percipitation is a new thing for me. Didn’t have this with Red Sea Pro. Red Sea states mix for 30 minutes to 2 hours but not more than 4 hours. You get what you pay for most times.

So now I have medium particulates and this brown crud floating on top of the water. Water is about 90% transparent. It has a slight color to it. I wouldn’t not have noticed the color if it wasn’t for the the tank with rocks in it, that is next the the 40b to compare. I am assuming this water is fine to use?

 

[Sponge]

This temp-salt-percipitation is a new thing for me. Didn’t have this with Red Sea Pro. Red Sea states mix for 30 minutes to 2 hours but not more than 4 hours. You get what you pay for most times.

So now I have medium particulates and this brown crud floating on top of the water. Water is about 90% transparent. It has a slight color to it. I wouldn’t not have noticed the color if it wasn’t for the the tank with rocks in it, that is next the the 40b to compare. I am assuming this water is fine to use?

Yes. I am sure the water is more than fine to use. But I am personally obsessed with the crud that is allowed to be in sooooo many salt mixes. Reports say things like diesel fuel,clay, chemicals. Etc. it’s not that I expect things to be perfect. But fact is all our systems are closed loops that count on simple filtration. And buildup of any toxins in the water brought in with the salt mix is unavoidable. So always be aware time is both a tank friend (bacteria and stability) and it’s enemy. Toxic buildup. And (unless frequent water changes and dosing) necessary trace elements will be stripped.

 

[diana a]

I agree @Sponge. I spent a great amount of time last night and this morning watching BRS TV with a search on "salt." Have you seen this one?

 

[amado]

I actually have used a lot of different salts and to be honest they all work. There is a lot of push for man made salt. Salts made in a lab to be perfect copies of real salt. I believe the ocean is not crystal clear and it doesn’t bother me when I open a bag of Red Sea salt and I get Small grains of sand. Or that it mixes up cloudy this is nature and I am sure that whatever is in that bag will be good for my tank. The companies love producing salt in a lab because it’s cheap and easy make.