Is my salt ruined?

[scubagirl]

My salt feels wet. Is it ruined? The lid was not completely sealed the last time I used it. Can someone tell me why it did that and if it needs to be put in the garbage? Thanks!

 

[dacia]

It may be contaminated. Mix about a gallon's worth of water, keep it in the bucket with the temp. at about 80 for 24 hours. Then test the water for trace elements or other contaminations. :thinking: That's what I'd do.

 

[bang guy]

I agree. Mix some up and see if it still has decent ALK and Calcium.

 

[effloresce]

water from the air will leave the air, and go intot he salt because there is a lower concentration in the salt then in the air, kinda like condensation but not exact.

 

[dskidmore]

Unless something got spilled in it, I'd assume it's room humidity water and not worry about it. Your standard salt/water mixing ratio might be a bit off, but if you're measuring and correcting salinity as you should anyway, it's not a big deal.

 

[squidd]

Originally posted by DSkidmore
... if you're measuring and correcting salinity as you should anyway, it's not a big deal.
Salinity maybe not...But if the calcium and carbonates and bi carbonates got "wet" enough to interact and combine to form a caco3 precipatate "in the bucket" your corals will not be able to "use" this combined form...
You also may be "lacking" the pH buffering effect of the alk buffers...
Best to test and check "mixed and areated " levels...

 

[lungfish]

It's a chemical reaction...moisture is actually pulled from the air and water droplets begin to form. When it gets humid in the summer I've even seen the salt creep get "wet" from the moisture. Wherever you spill salt mix, you will see condensation if there is enough humidity. If I remember from chemistry, it is the calcium carbonate that does it (I see moisture all the time in the measuring spoon for my turbo calcium) You should still be able to use your salt providing it's not a solid block, so I wouldn't throw it out. But I do agree with testing it. If the calcium levels are a little low, just add some supplemental to the tank.