Stupid move...

[SirFragalot]

The other day, I thought it was time for a water change on the 75. (hard to find time with the new baby and all). In my rush, I made a classic mistake that i'm sure others have made. At least I hope so. I dumped the salt in the trash can FIRST. I then dumped about 4 gallons of RO water in and proceeded to make the rest of the RO. Now i'm stuck with about 30 gallons of saltwater that you can't see through due to all the precipitation. It's been two days with a powerhead and heater and it's not clearing up. Start over? Or will it eventually clear up?

I also consilidated part of a bucket of Instant Ocean that I had before switching to Reef Crystals and used that mix.

 

[MadReefer]

It sounds like you added to much salt mix from what I read. Couldn't you borrow some trash cans/buckets and dilute the mixture? Also, use a power head to help mixing.

 

[SirFragalot]

It sounds like you added to much salt mix from what I read. Couldn't you borrow some trash cans/buckets and dilute the mixture? Also, use a power head to help mixing.

I added enough salt for the batch before adding any water. I make the same amount each time and use the same mark on the can for water. It's been mixing for almost two days with a powerhead. The salinity is 1.023 in the can....right where I normally have it.

http://www.instantocean.com/sites/InstantOcean/knowledge/ExpertArticle.aspx?id=1540

"Always add the salt mix to the water, not the other way around. Adding water to the salt mix briefly creates a very highly concentrated solution which can lead to precipitation of some ingredients."


I have always added the mix after the water was made. It is just this one time that I did it backwards thinking I would save time. :

 

[ds4x4]

i do this most of the time with no problems. i usually have to think about it first to put water in, then a power head especially when doing a bucket at a time. Also i didnt know it said that on the bucket about adding water first.

 

[The_Codfather]

whats the temp of the water? if it's to cold it will be murky.. happened to me one time

 

[albie611]

try letting it sit a day with no water movement.
the particles will settle to the bottom and you could draw off the top

 

[JRWOHLER]

I agree warm up the water and see if it dissolves better.

 

[SirFragalot]

I agree warm up the water and see if it dissolves better.

I just thought of something. If I can't use it for the tank, i'm sure it won't be an issue with cycleing some dry rock that I have in the shed.

 

[ds4x4]

dont see why you cant use it for the tank? oceanic used to leave a residue in the can everytime i used it. Red sea coral pro would be cloudy as could be for hours.. use your test kits on it, if all the levels are ok and Sg is good why not use it? i dont get why people* (* In general, not pointing at you specifically.) create such a fuss about Salt mixing.

 

[SirFragalot]

dont see why you cant use it for the tank? oceanic used to leave a residue in the can everytime i used it. Red sea coral pro would be cloudy as could be for hours.. use your test kits on it, if all the levels are ok and Sg is good why not use it? i dont get why people* (* In general, not pointing at you specifically.) create such a fuss about Salt mixing.

I hear what you are saying but I wasnt making a big fuss. It's just that its going on day 4 and its still not clearing. No biggie. I'm not wasting it and am using it to cycle some rock that I want to add to the DT. Now I know why they say to add the salt to the water and not the other way around.

 

[TheJuanAndOnly235]

when i first started my tank i was going to just dump the salt in the tank and then fill it up

but then i just mixed it five gallons at a time lol good thing i did