Salt creep

[ozzmosis]

This may be a stupid question, but I am still fairly new to the saltwater hobby. Is it bad to put salt creep back into the aquarium when doing a tank cleaning?

 

[PatMayo]

I generally don't. But unless it gets an abnormal amount of pollutants from the air, I don't see how it could hurt much.

Regards,

Pat

 

[ozzmosis]

I can't remember, but I want to say that I read somewhere one time that it may cause your nitrates to rise. I was wondering if anyone could confirm this, or am I just dreaming things up.

 

[bertoni]

I suppose dumping deposits into the tank might tend to throw off the ionic balance a tad, since some of the compounds won't redissolve, but with a reasonable water change schedule, the difference should be in the noise. On the other hand, if a chunk of salt dissolve near an organism, that could cause some damage. I just clean off and pitch the various deposits I see.

 

[ozzmosis]

Thanks for the info guys!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I do not think it matters as long as the solid salt does not land on delicate organisms. It may not all redissolve (calcium carbonate, for example, may form and won't redissolve), but that is not likely a big deal.