Using solar salt to mix up new salt water?

snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Hello all...
So, I have been doing some reading on the internet and I am finding some information on cheap salt mixes for fish only systems...
Solar salt is what people use as a water softener for their houses... it is basically evaporated saltwater. A company takes a large football sized "tub" and fills it with about 1' of saltwater from the ocean, then lets it sit and evaporate, then they collect the salt once it is evaporated. Basically, a natural salt mix.
What are the ramifications of using solar salt as your basic salt mix for fish only tanks?
What benefits would you have?
Would you have to supplement the mix with anything - such as alkalinity, calcium or magnesium or whatever element to adjust it right...
Can anyone mount an argument not to use this salt in a fish only system?
I see other people online use this salt for their fish only systems as well as mixing additives with it to use for their reef tanks... So,... what......???!!??!!
 
S

smallreef

Guest
Welll considering this is pretty much how we get "sea salt" for our tables, lol I dont see a problem with it....each batch may need different buffers based on when and where they take the seawater from... but for a FO system I dont think there will be much need....
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Think about what happens to the concentrations of trace elements as the water evaporates out. As these elements concentrate they begin to form chemical bonds with other elements and precipitate out of solution. Calcium carbonate is a good example. It will not redissolve when you add water to the salt.
 
mr. limpid

mr. limpid

Active Member
Well I used strictly solar salt in my house softener and after it died I replaced it. If you saw the residue at the bottom of the brine tank you would not want to add this stuff to your tank.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Lol. Wouldnt that residue be basically calcium carbonate? Siphon off the clear mix and add back some calcium chloride and tour good to go, right? Lol.
 
mr. limpid

mr. limpid

Active Member
You said clear mix, lol, it was mostly black mud. If I let my wife see it she'd said, now I know why are white close are gray looking.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/391880/using-solar-salt-to-mix-up-new-salt-water#post_3477383
Lol. Wouldnt that residue be basically calcium carbonate? Siphon off the clear mix and add back some calcium chloride and tour good to go, right? Lol.
You would have to add nearly all trace elements back. Magnesium, Calcium, Carbonate, Sulphur, Strontium, etc. Very few elements would be able to redissolve quickly in fresh water.
Here where I live we are sitting on a millions of tons of "solar salt". It is mostly just used for road salt but Morton has also been using it for table salt since the mid 1800's. It will work as a starting point for a sea salt but it has a long way to go.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Ok, i got yah.
I saw where Some people were using it as a base for mixing their own synthetic sea salt mixes. If one were doing that, it would be easier just buying nacl from a pool shop instead of solar salt.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
LOL so... back to the basics we go....
Yeah, it seems that way.
Btw, i think i got a bad batch of io the other day,... Not sure though because i didnt test it first.
 
danyel patrick

danyel patrick

New Member
Hello,
If you need any informations about fish or aquarium, you should go on this website:
http://themarinecentre.co.uk/
I every time go on it when I have a problem with my fish or with my tank. Hope it's gonna help you!
 
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