Ro/Di salt mix question

T

TexasPyro

I have a question regarding the clarity of mixed salt water in my holding tank. I am using a Ro/Di water filter measuring 0ppm TDS, using Seachem Reedsalt and mix about 50 gallons at a time in a separate 55g mixing tank. The water is stored in my garage and is kept moving with a power head in each of the fresh and mix tanks. I mix my salt to 1.025sg about 36 hours before I use it, and cool it down to 78 degrees before adding it to my tank. My question is, is the water supposed to be cloudy (milky) in the holding tank? When I add it to my fish tank it clouds the water for a couple of days then clears right up. Am I doing something wrong? Can I kill my fish and corals?
 
I have no idea of alk and Ca of the mixed water. I will test the Alk next time, but dont have a Ca test kit. Guess that needs to be next on the list of things to purchase. My LFS made it sound like Mg and Ca testing wasn't something I should worry about in a new tank (2 months old) with a few softies and fish. Do I need to start keeping a close eye on those as well?
 
What lfs told you that? As anytime you have corals you should test for both as too high of either can kill corals. Also imbalance of the two could be the reason why your salt water is not clear
 
Looks like an incomplete mixing issue....are you adding salt to the water or water to the salt???? If it's cloudy in the holding container then it would not be an out of balance situation. I'm not trying to speak to the stores intention but usually with new tank owners it's easier to have them concentrate on alk, ca, ph and temp since these are the elements/parameters that can get a tank in trouble really quick. Mag is depleted at a much slower rate and since most good salt mix's have good level's, it's not a priority to really worry about it in the first few month's. Where are you storing the salt??? Is it lumpy? Try mixing some up in a 5G container inside the house and see if it mixes clear, if not I would try another salt brand. Definitely get the test kit's asap. [smilie=smile.gif]



Cheers,
 
Heading to the lfs this evening and picking up the test kits. I store the salt out in the garage with the water and my other fish supplies. I add the salt one cup at a time to the 50g of water and let it mix for 36 hours or so. Ill mix up 5g this evening inside and see how clear it is. What salt do yall recommend without breaking the bank? I was told that the Seachem stuff was pretty good for the price. I am staring to put some fish and corals in the tank, I don't want to crash it this early on in the hobby. Is it ok to switch brands of salt, fish don't mind?
 
You can switch salt.

I use reef crystals salt. Sometimes you can find 200 gallon boxes online for $45. You can also find it at most LFS and regular pet stores like petsmart.
 
I switched to Reef Crystals years back and am happy with it. I have never had it not mix clear. The heat max be affecting your salt out there or it could also have settled. I roll my bucket from time to time to keep everything distributed, maybe mix up some then if it doesn't mix clear then roll the bucket to mix it around then mix up another few gallon's. Worth a try at least.

Cheers,
 
I might be totaly wrong here but i think some salts just do this. I know the seachem salinity seems to stay cloudy in my mix tank for a good 24 hours, i let mine mix for 3 or 4 days usually though..... i also heard someone else wih seachem say the same thing about their salt water being cloudy. I dont know what causes this but i can usually do a water change after 48 hours of mixing and see no cloudiness......

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Here is an update on my cloudy water issue. Yesterday I mixed up another 35 gallon batch of water to do a water change today. After 24 hours of mixing it is still very cloudy, this time I am more prepared. I checked the Alk, Ca, Mg, and Ammonia of the water. Results are as follows.

Salinity 1.025
Alk 5.2 DkH
Ca 500+ (off the charts of my test kit)
Mg 1100
Ammonia .25 ( This is down from 1ppm, I installed BRS cloramine kit in my Ro/Di filter)

Is the Seachem Reef Salt known for being that far out of whack??
 
Do you fill your container up full of water first. Second I would pour your salt in batches not all at once.


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I do fill up the container from my Ro storage tank to the desired level (usually 30-40 gallons) then add the salt one cup scoop at a time.
 
Update this morning, I dosed some Alk and Mg last night to bring the levels up. Water was crystal clear this morning. I think I'm done with Seachem Reef Salt.
 
I also use reef crystals, which I buy in the 5 bag box which runs $45-50 from many mail order sources often with free shipping with a couple more items added. I mix 1 bag which is 50 gallons at a time & don't have this problem. Comes out clear every time. Many local stores carry this also.
 
Look at sybon reef salt from premium aquatics very inexpensive salt and I am getting great results


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This is not uncommon with salts that use Kalk calcium in their mixes.
Before adding the salt mix to the tank let it sit for about 1 hour with no power heads.
Then don't add the stuff at the bottom.

If it is still cloudy - you may have an alkalinity issue.
Seachem reef salt is better than most for the $$$ IMO.
 
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