New salt issue. Help please.

myerst2

myerst2

Active member
I have a 180 Fowlr and have always used Coralife salt and have always been really happy with it. Unfortunately the nearest store that carries it is 1 1/2 hours away and I have become very busy at work so getting the time to travel there has become an issue. I am a strong proponent to doing frequent water changes and I do about 60 gallons twice a week. This may seem a bit much but I have a high bio-load and I feed my fish heavily. So the only salt that I can get near by is Instant Ocean. I mix my salt in two sterile garbage pails with 400gph pump and a heater and usually let it run for a day. I also add a small amount of buffer to keep the ph where it should be. Well I came home today and where my new water was usually crystal clear and ready to go, the instant ocean water was super milky cloudy. I shifted the pump around and after a couple of hours the same thing. Whats the deal??? Does Instant Ocean mix this poorly? Thanks for any input in advance. Regards, Tim
 
instant ocean is a bad salt and I have had the same problem with IO mixing as well. I would just buy your prefered salt in bulk.
 
I've had a batch of Reef Crystals that was cloudy, even after days of mixing, but that was a one time occurance. On the other hand, I've always had strange things happen when I've used Instant Ocean. Every time I've tried it I get a strange floating crust on the surface of the water. I have no idea why.
 
Tim -- I've never had any issues with cloudy water using IO or RC; usually only requiring 10-15 minutes of mixing before it's crystal clear. Was the mixed saltwater like this before you added your buffer after testing?

Since when did IO become a "bad salt"?
 
I'm not saying it's bad. I know it's probably the most widely used brand around, but for whatever reason it does some strange things when I've tried it.
 
I worked at a LFS for seven years but this was years ago and we used IO for the first few and never had problems. We then switched to Coralife and never had problems. Well I'm going to dump this water and try again. I did add the buffer prior to the salt, but I don't see that causing an issue. I also have weird stuff floating on top as well, but only in one of the mixing pails. Thanks for the quick response!!! I will let you know how the next batch works out. Regards, Tim
 
Test it before you add the buffer. IIRC, Coralife requires more alk supplement than IO -- though I admit I've never used Coralife salt.
 
Is your mixing bucket food grade? If not over time the "protective layer" on the inside will start to break down. Then it can do wierd stuff to the water.
 
No I'm using your all-american rubbermaid garbage pails. i have never had a problem with them. I've used the same pail for many years and never had a problem. Where would you go and purchase human grade containers? Thanks everyone for all the reponses. The pails are filled again I'm about to add the salt again. I'll keep you updated. Thanks Tim
 
I use IO salt, mixing it in five gallon buckets with a powerhead doing the stirring. It often remains cloudy, but this seems to be tiny air bubbles.

Try turning off the powerhead and just letting the mix settle for half an hour. It should be clear.

I have no idea why this happens, and I've never used anything but IO (the only brand carried in my area) so I don't know how it compares to other brands.

From what I have read, each of the "major" brands has advantages and disadvantages.
 
why not buy your salt from Drs. Foster and Smith? Even with shipping they save me about $10 per can on Reef Crystals.
 
IO is great salt, i've never had an issue with it being cloudy. I always mixed in a 5g bucket with a powerhead and a heater. When I go to use it the next day it is always clear.
 
I talked to my LFS about this issue. They stated that a rep from IO told them that they had to make some changes for cost reasons. I ask what that meant and she said I guess you mix the salt and then make it what you want it. She suggested a change. So I went to Seachem Reef salt and its ok but I think the final decision is Tropic Marin Pro Reef. It cost more but I hoping you get what you pay for. Thatfishplace.com has the best shipping prices I have ever seen. Just an idea.

Heres what I ended up with with the last batch of RC I bought.
http://mikes75.hobby-site.com/75_data.htm

On 3/23/08 I got a KH spike
On 3/27/08 CA+ dropped
I decided to get a mag kit and found on
3/30/08 mag was real low.

It was a pain to fix. I could not figure out what the deal was until my LFS explained. I used RC forever, Never tested just mixed set SG and temp and did my water changes. Now I test each new batch of salt when I get it. If the first batch of water is good (once the bucket is rolled around on the floor to make sure its mixed well) then I don't worry about the rest of the bucket. I apply this to no mater what salt I use. I don't trust any of them. I still have coral recovering from that mess.

Good Luck!
 
https://www.cappuccinobaylive.com/

This is my LFS. Please excuse the server certificate. They are still finishing the site. They have killer live stock and great advise. If explorer stops you tell it to go ahead and load the site. The point to this I guess is to help verify info I received.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12436732#post12436732 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mikesommers
..but I think the final decision is Tropic Marin Pro Reef.... Thatfishplace.com has the best shipping prices I have ever seen. Just an idea.
Click to expand...

Hmm, I wonder if it's because you're close to their facility, or maybe because F&S is closer to me.. but.. you had my hopes up so I had to check :)

Tropic Marin Pro-Reef Salt - 200 gal. $64.99 (same at both sites)

Thatfishplace.com shipping: $51.99 (to my zip, 4 buckets)
drsfosterandsmith.com shipping: $16.99 (to my zip, 4 buckets)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12436955#post12436955 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cd77
Hmm, I wonder if it's because you're close to their facility, or maybe because F&S is closer to me.. but.. you had my hopes up so I had to check :)

Tropic Marin Pro-Reef Salt - 200 gal. $64.99 (same at both sites)

Thatfishplace.com shipping: $51.99 (to my zip, 4 buckets)
drsfosterandsmith.com shipping: $16.99 (to my zip, 4 buckets)
Click to expand...


Got to be location. Sorry didn't think about that.:o
Its just the opposite for me. I get it in 3 day express 26.98.
F&S takes about 8 days. I did look at there regular shipping and I take it back its better but there shipping time is longer.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12436955#post12436955 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cd77
Hmm, I wonder if it's because you're close to their facility, or maybe because F&S is closer to me.. but.. you had my hopes up so I had to check :)

Tropic Marin Pro-Reef Salt - 200 gal. $64.99 (same at both sites)

Thatfishplace.com shipping: $51.99 (to my zip, 4 buckets)
drsfosterandsmith.com shipping: $16.99 (to my zip, 4 buckets)
Click to expand...

Man that must be nice.. Drfostersmith $105 for shipping, and thatfishplace 27.99 :confused: I have never seen anywhere that will ship buckets of salt to Alaska for 27.99.. I bet they change it after my first order! lol
 
Some one here on RC buys all his supplys for the whole year at one time so has one shipping cost and says it says him a bunch of money, forgot who though. I just switched to tropic marin pro reef and love it it mixes great and I am having great results so far
 
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