IO mixing problem

[mgny]

Opened a new bucket of io salt. First batch i mixed was super cloudy. I have used this salt since 1996 and never had this problem. Wondering if others have had this problem, and should i return it . It was the first time in years i bought it from an lfs. usually get 200 gal boxes from an rc sponser.

[mgny]

Anyone?

[spooda420]

I recently bought a 160g bucket of IO salt from Petsmart, its a bit cloudy at first but after mixing (aging) it for 24hrs (like your supposed to it seems fine to me. I do wish the ALK and CA was a bit higher, the last time I tested it.

[mgny]

Thanks Chris, This bucket has mixed completly different than i am used to. I dont age my mix and have never had problems with it. In fact over the last year or so it has mixed even easier. Makes water changes easy and not having to plan in advance makes the changes more frequent. I am thinking more people have had this bad batch, i just hope it wont cause problems.

[reefergeorge]

How long does it stay cloudy? I use a mj 900 and five gallon buckets. It only is cloudy for a few minutes.

[mgny]

That is what i have always experienced, it would mix clear in minutes. This batch stays cloudy for at least a day, but i suspect it wont clear up even after a day.

[spooda420]

Honestly never really paid attn to that. I make it a 45g trashcan Fill it full of RODI water measure out the salt and let 'er mix with a mag9 pump, when I put the salt in its really cloudy, by the next day (or when I do a WC) its clear.

HTH

[reefkeeper135]

My last batch was a little cloudy but never affected the tank.

[mgny]

Just returned it for a new bucket. New stuff mixed up fine. Believe me you will definately notice if you end up with a bad batch. I dumped a few mixed buckets and each had a lot of unmixed white powder on the bottom, wonder what it was?

[wayne in norway]

Most likely the contents were wet. Get water i nthere and amongst other things the separate Ca and alk ions will combine to form calcium carbonate particles which are effectively insoluble because of the pH being >7.

Punctured or incorrectly packed bag/bucket will do this for you. Salt mixes are strongly hygroscopic, meaning they will actively attract atmospheric moisture.

[reptilemanmark]

I had this problem when I first started in the hobby. I was pouring the salt in first then adding water. Now water first then salt and let it sit for a day. The gravity will change over night usualy I`ve found that it`s lower then the day I mixed it. So I have to add a little more salt the next day to get 1.025. I`m using Instant Ocean too.

[onano]

Had a bad batch. Leaves the residue in the bottom of the bucket. I called IO and they sent me a replacement.