mixing salt

stang

stang

New Member
Tryed making salt water for the first time and outcome does not appear correct. I put 13 g of RO/Di water in a 32 gal container and mixed in 6 cups of instant ocean salt. While using a maxi-jet with venturi and a heater the salt seemed to mix and dissolve fairly fast. After walking past container several times in 8 hour period water looked good and clear. I then added some buffer. By 12 hrs I walked by and it was all cloudy. And now at 24 hrs it seems clear but a white slime along bottom and sides.
I've tryed to brush away hoping it would dissolve but not much luck yet.
tested @ 1.023
ph 8.2
Im not sure what to do as this is first time. thinking about starting over.
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
While I am having this rare moment of clarity I will try to explain.
Often you will find a white precipitate at the bottom of the mixing container. This can be undisclosed calcium carbonate and is often a result of salts that mix to a higher then normal PH value, have higher then normal calcium and bicarbonate buffer levels, or have been contaminated by moisture while in packaging. Excess moisture allows calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate to react and create calcium carbonate partials and carbon dioxide gas, which is liberated. If you have a large amount of precipitate in your container remove the water leave the precipitate behind and gradually correct the calcium and bicarbonate levels before adding it to your tank. In an established tank (not reef) and used for small water changes the discrepancy of calcium and alkalinity is not likely to be significant or is corrected by using a buffer and calcium. I would not use it in a reef tank because if any of the particulate lands on any coral it can lead to irritation. Other then that it is harmless but will not dissolve unless the tank ph is lower then 7.8
What all that nonsense means is that it is caused by a ph imbalance
Of course all this comes to you from a crazed person as NigerBang can attest to
 
stang

stang

New Member
Thanks florida joe
So with my FOWLR setup I should be alright by just removing water and leaving the precipitate behind?
 
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