Corsair Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 Dear All, I have mixed some fresh saltwater for my quarantine tank using tropic marin salt, however the water is cloudy and does not clear up after a few days. I have a power head aerating the water in the tank? If I turn it off, the powerhead and base of the tank will be cover with white powder... Does any one encounter this problem? How long does it takes usually for the salt to be completely dissolved? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
optimus prime Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 1) salt did not dissolve properly? 2) you not using dechlorinated water? 3) lousy salt brand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weileong Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 Make sure you pour salt into water and not water onto the salt. Quote Weileong's 4ft tank Part I Weileong's 4ft tank Part II Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gouldian Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 It is adviseable to aerate the decholrinated water over night before adding salt. If not you will experience what you are experiencing now. Quote "Reefs, like forests, will only be protected in long term if they are appreciated" Dr. J.E.N. Veron Australian Institute of Marine Science -----------------------------------------------------------------------Member of:UEN: T08SS0098FPlease visit us here: http://www.facebook....uaristSocietySG Facebook Group: http://www.facebook....gid=34281892381 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member bum Posted September 13, 2004 SRC Member Share Posted September 13, 2004 It is adviseable to aerate the decholrinated water over night before adding salt.If not you will experience what you are experiencing now. actually, Singapore water now no longer contains chlorine but chloromine, which cannot be removed by bubbling, but running a powerhead overnight to dissolve salt is a good idea you gotta use additives that remove chloromine, eg, seachem PRIME or AQUAz triplex solution. i use tropic marine and i've never had this problem except once, that was when i used salt that had been left opened very long like almost a year. the salt crystals did not dissolve and there were sediments floating on the surface. salt will absorb moisture from the air so mke sure you keep yours properly. now i change water weekly so i use up salt pretty fast, no more such problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gouldian Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 actually, Singapore water now no longer contains chlorine but chloromine, which cannot be removed by bubbling, but running a powerhead overnight to dissolve salt is a good idea you gotta use additives that remove chloromine, eg, seachem PRIME or AQUAz triplex solution. i use tropic marine and i've never had this problem except once, that was when i used salt that had been left opened very long like almost a year. the salt crystals did not dissolve and there were sediments floating on the surface. salt will absorb moisture from the air so mke sure you keep yours properly. now i change water weekly so i use up salt pretty fast, no more such problems. That's why I say aerate dechlorinated water. The reason why we aerate is not to percipitate chlorine - it is because tap water contain very little oxygen and when you aerate it overnight after you have dechlorinate your water you will find that the salt will take shorter period to dissolve. Try it if you haven't. Quote "Reefs, like forests, will only be protected in long term if they are appreciated" Dr. J.E.N. Veron Australian Institute of Marine Science -----------------------------------------------------------------------Member of:UEN: T08SS0098FPlease visit us here: http://www.facebook....uaristSocietySG Facebook Group: http://www.facebook....gid=34281892381 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Posted September 13, 2004 Author Share Posted September 13, 2004 Hi, Thank you for your reply. I added salt to water and use Nutrafin dechlorinator. Have been aerating the water with a powerhead for several days liao. The salt looks fine because there isn't any salt lumped together when I open it....Does it means I have to drain away the cloudy water and do the mixing again? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gouldian Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 Sorry bro, but what are the steps in chronological order you take? Did you dechlorinate, aerate then mix? Quote "Reefs, like forests, will only be protected in long term if they are appreciated" Dr. J.E.N. Veron Australian Institute of Marine Science -----------------------------------------------------------------------Member of:UEN: T08SS0098FPlease visit us here: http://www.facebook....uaristSocietySG Facebook Group: http://www.facebook....gid=34281892381 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
optimus prime Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 clearer steps: 1) fill pail with water 2) dechlorine / dechloramine the water 3) aerate overnight 4) put salt in water and dissolve completely. 5) check salt content. 6) if ok, pour in the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Posted September 13, 2004 Author Share Posted September 13, 2004 I think I got the steps wrong. Did not aerate the water overnight...heheh Pour water into pail Add salt. Add dechlorinator Stir the water Add the powerhead to aerate. Can I still keep the water or drain it off and mix new one again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gouldian Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 Can use for cycling. But I wouldn't reccomened to use it if there are precious live stocks in there. Quote "Reefs, like forests, will only be protected in long term if they are appreciated" Dr. J.E.N. Veron Australian Institute of Marine Science -----------------------------------------------------------------------Member of:UEN: T08SS0098FPlease visit us here: http://www.facebook....uaristSocietySG Facebook Group: http://www.facebook....gid=34281892381 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terryansimon Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 I've tried adding water to salt, and I get clear solution! been doing that for the past six months. no problems whatsoever. my routine *weird one to follow actually. a bit unconventional* 1) add pre-measured amount of salt into pail 2) add a bit of water 3) swirl water around to dissolve as much salt as possible 4) add Seachem Prime 5) add even more water 6) measure with refractometer --> if obtained wrong readings, either dilute or add more salt. 7) add water until almost full. 8) let it stand for one or two hours. I don't bother aerating it for 24hrs as I do not have the space or luxury in my house to do that. if I use a powerhead/air pump, I will create a lot of salt spray and incurr the wrath of my mother. so yah. so far, so good. been doing that for the past half a year. hehz. and PS. I am using Tropic Marin salt as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Ekia Posted September 13, 2004 SRC Member Share Posted September 13, 2004 Dear All, I have mixed some fresh saltwater for my quarantine tank using tropic marin salt, however the water is cloudy and does not clear up after a few days. I have a power head aerating the water in the tank? If I turn it off, the powerhead and base of the tank will be cover with white powder... Does any one encounter this problem? How long does it takes usually for the salt to be completely dissolved? I enountered the same problem 1-2 months ago.... found out the reason in the end. Reason? Calcium Precipitate. My water was cloudy even after 2 days in a powerhead.. same as you. Try doing a test on the water.. if your calcium and kh is low.. confirm its because of calcium precipitate.... The salt can no longer be used.. unless you don't mind low calcium and kh in yr main tank... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Posted September 13, 2004 Author Share Posted September 13, 2004 Hi Ekia, Does it mean that the salt I bought have quality problem? If it's the case, then waste money...have to throw it away.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Ekia Posted September 13, 2004 SRC Member Share Posted September 13, 2004 You better test the water to confirm first... might not be calcium precipitate but could be a strong possibilty.. Has the salt touch water before?? clumped together? Mine got into contact with water before... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Posted September 13, 2004 Author Share Posted September 13, 2004 Mine is new, no salt clump. Whitish powder form on power head and base of the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Golden Tooth Posted September 13, 2004 SRC Member Share Posted September 13, 2004 I've tried adding water to salt, and I get clear solution! been doing that for the past six months. no problems whatsoever. my routine *weird one to follow actually. a bit unconventional* 1) add pre-measured amount of salt into pail 2) add a bit of water 3) swirl water around to dissolve as much salt as possible 4) add Seachem Prime 5) add even more water 6) measure with refractometer --> if obtained wrong readings, either dilute or add more salt. 7) add water until almost full. 8) let it stand for one or two hours. I don't bother aerating it for 24hrs as I do not have the space or luxury in my house to do that. if I use a powerhead/air pump, I will create a lot of salt spray and incurr the wrath of my mother. so yah. so far, so good. been doing that for the past half a year. hehz. and PS. I am using Tropic Marin salt as well. We got the same steps bro.. Only thing is i'm using different salt brand. Quote Bevor Sie das Licht sehen, müssen Sie sterben! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member ozy Posted September 13, 2004 SRC Member Share Posted September 13, 2004 I have the same problem at home. I think it is calcium precipitate because the powder does feel kind of chalky. I use Tropic Marine salt too both in the office and at home, but no such problem when I use it in the office. The salt in the office is clumpy but no white powder. The only difference I can think of is that in the office, I would stir the water for each scoop of salt until it dissolve (4 scoops per pail). For the time when I had the problem, I just dump the salt into the preparation tank and let the power head circulate the water. After that incident, I would prepare salt water with a pail with constant stirring. I remember Tanzy has mentioned before regarding adding salt to water instead of the otherwise as it will affect the calcium level of the mixture. Maybe he can clarify. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gouldian Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 Hi Ekia, Does it mean that the salt I bought have quality problem? If it's the case, then waste money...have to throw it away.... Calcium percipitate happens when you mix water with salt or the water is mix with water directly from the tap. Thus, most literature reccomend the ageing (leaving it to aerate overnight) before mixing with your salt mixture. I am sure if you were to get your steps correct, the next batch will be alright. Quote "Reefs, like forests, will only be protected in long term if they are appreciated" Dr. J.E.N. Veron Australian Institute of Marine Science -----------------------------------------------------------------------Member of:UEN: T08SS0098FPlease visit us here: http://www.facebook....uaristSocietySG Facebook Group: http://www.facebook....gid=34281892381 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Posted September 15, 2004 Author Share Posted September 15, 2004 Dear all, Thank you for your advice. I will try to re-mix the salt again. This time aging and aerating the water first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Posted September 16, 2004 Author Share Posted September 16, 2004 Aerated the water overnight before adding salt. Problem solved. No more cloudy water!!!! Thank you to all of you for offering advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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