Does salt go bad?

[Ranchhand02]

I have been out of the hobby for three years, but I am getting back in it. I have a half a bucket of reef crystals salt that has been sealed in a bucket for a couple years. Can I use this salt to set up the new tank and cycle it or should I just use all new salt? Thanks

 

[mav3rick478]

I'm not sure, I believe after some time the potency of some of the elements will lower but if you're just using it to cycle a tank it shouldn't be a problem because one you do the initial water change with good new salt the levels should correct themselves theoretically.

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[Ranchhand02]

That is what I was thinking, but I wanted some other opinions before I cycled the tank with it.

 

[CarrieB]

Check to see if it's hardened at all. If so, you will get precipitates.


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[Greybeard]

No... but it can get contaminated. Humidity in the air is enough to cause it to rock up.

I had a 10 year old bucket of IO, sealed, never been opened. I used it without issue in setting up and cycling my new tank. Out of it now, and I've switched to reef crystals, but there was no problem using the IO.

 

[Sk8r]

Long as it's still granular and loose.

 

[Sapelo]

Mix up a batch and test it....

 

[ReefsandGeeks]

I'd cycle with it. If you have enough to fill the whole tank, I might even use it if it was clumped up. You could do a 100% water change after the cycle is done with all new fresh salt. As said before, if it were all granular, it should be just fine.