Instant Ocean not dissolving?

[cath]

I've never had this happen before.... Last night I was mixing up new SW for my big tank project for this weekend, and there is a small amount of the Instant Ocean salt not dissolving! Less than a tablespoon, I guess. Has anyone else have that to happen? So what do I do with grains that won't dissolve?

[billc]

Never had a problem with IO not dissovling either.. But I don't think I would worry too much about it.. I mix mine in a large rubbermaid that I put in the bathtub and let the temp adjust, then bucket it out to the tank. It always seems there is a little water left I don't use.. Just treat it as sediment and discard..

[jzdziarski]

I've had some weird experienced with Instant Ocean. It doesn't dissolve "as well" IMHO as some of the other salts I've used. I also had one instance where something in the salt caused the water to turn brown. After that experience, I switched to Kent Marine salt and seem to get better results all around.

[Rick O]

I get a hard buildup on the bottom of my mixing container that sometimes flakes off. I wouldn't worry about it Cath. Just verify that the SG is where you want it.

[cath]

Thanks, guys!

That's just the kind of info I needed. I may try Kent Marine next time I buy, which will be soon. Sometimes my worry wart tendencies come out on reef related problems.

[RWD]

cath,
I have not had that problem with IO. Was it just the one time ?What are you using to mix the water and salt? I use a large powerhead in a bucket for a few days and never have any residue. I do get the build-up that Rick is talking about inside the bucket however. Bob

[cath]

Originally posted by RWD
cath,
I have not had that problem with IO. Was it just the one time ?What are you using to mix the water and salt? I use a large powerhead in a bucket for a few days and never have any residue. I do get the build-up that Rick is talking about inside the bucket however. Bob

Hey RWD-

I use my left over Rio 600 that I took off my Bak Pak (which I now use it ONLY to mix SW) ...gotta use it for something, I guess. Yesterday I thought mayb it need to be cleaned so I did a quick vinegar wash and lots of rinsing. I thought maybe the impellor was gunked up, and it wasn't doing a good job of mixing. I suppose that it's possible that I usually mix water in a yellow container and don't see the residue, and this time I used dark blue. How's that for anal retentive

[Rick O]

Originally posted by cath
I suppose that it's possible that I usually mix water in a yellow container and don't see the residue, and this time I used dark blue. How's that for anal retentive

Well there's your problem. Everyone knows you're not supposed to use a blue container for mixing water.

[cath]

Originally posted by Rick O

Well there's your problem. Everyone knows you're not supposed to use a blue container for mixing water.

THere ya go! I knew we'd get down to the source of the problem! Way to go, TRT

[seahawkjohnny]

Originally posted by cath


Hey RWD-

I use my left over Rio 600 that I took off my Bak Pak (which I now use it ONLY to mix SW) ...gotta use it for something, I guess. Yesterday I thought mayb it need to be cleaned so I did a quick vinegar wash and lots of rinsing. I thought maybe the impellor was gunked up, and it wasn't doing a good job of mixing. I suppose that it's possible that I usually mix water in a yellow container and don't see the residue, and this time I used dark blue. How's that for anal retentive

I aways get a little bit that doesnt fully dissolve, I use a Maxijet 900 to mix, and also a 50 watt heater to bring the temp up...I have found Tropic Marin is the best salt for dissolving, when I had my FO system it would dissolve fully without having to use a PH, but it was high in Alumina....I dont know if it would harm a reef tank but it was fine with a FO

[billc]

Originally posted by Rick O

Well there's your problem. Everyone knows you're not supposed to use a blue container for mixing water.

Damm, now I have to buy a new rubbermaid..

[vmasliah]

I use instant ocean, and when I mix to 1.025 salinity with RO water the pH only hits 8.0 and the calcium only gets to 340. That sems really low to me for a fresh mix. Has anyone else tried testing their new water before adding it to the tank? I stumbled upon the problem when I notice that my tank parameters dropped instead of rose after each water change.
Victor

[AZ kid]

I use IO salt and it seems to mix very well. But I have noticed that if it is not sealed properly and to much moisture gets in it clumps up and dose not mix well, leaving small ammounts of unmixed salt. I'm not sure why, But its the only time I have ever had problems with IO. Just my 2 cents..

-sean

[tdwyatt]

Originally posted by vmasliah
I use instant ocean, and when I mix to 1.025 salinity with RO water the pH only hits 8.0 and the calcium only gets to 340. That sems really low to me for a fresh mix...

Much of this will depend on:

• method of mixing
• temperature of the water
• Length of time from the initial mixing
• pH of the water used
• amount and method of agitation
• condition of the synthetic mix prior to mixing
• and of course what brand of synthetic mix is used.

Craig Bingman did an article several years ago on the different artificial seawater mixes on the market and did an analysis of different mixing methods. With all synthetic mixes, dissolution of the granular mix into a large volume of 75F to 80F water while it was being agitated with either a propeller or a moderately rapid pump produced the most consistant results. Adding the salt slowly to the final volume of water allows for both the reactons of the salts and their appropriate dissolution to form the final solution. In additiion, aereation with room air will help to develop the buffer system so that the Calcium does not combine too rapidly with carbonate ions to precipitate out as chalk. Instant Ocean is engineered to produce Ca levels at around 350ppm when mixed at 1.026 SG (35ppt salinity). I have included a link to Craig's article in Aquarium Frontiers . It discusses some of the requirements for the mixing of seawater as well. When the ASW mixes are circulated with good surface agitation in an open container, problems with Ca precipitate are minimized, as well as slow additions of the salt to the water to allow for the solubilization of the Calcium in the salt mix. Best method involves pumping the water in an open container with an adequately sized pump and sprinkling about the equivalent of a cup over the surface of the water every 10 to 15 seconds. In this manner the calcium will dissolve without developing localized areas of high concentrations, which would result in precipitation of the calcium when it reacts with dissolved CO2/Carbonate.

BTW, NEVER mix salt by putting the dry salt in a bucket and adding water to it. If synthetic seawater mixes are allowed to get wet (and they are QUITE hygroscopic), they will react and begin to form these insoluble salts. Always remove the amount of salt you need to make from the storage container, then tightly seal the remaining salt mix from atmospheric moisture to prevent this. If you salt has hard clumps, then it has water in it.

Cath's precipitate was most likely Calcium Carbonate.

My 2 cents worth...

[bill-e]

Tom: you always give more than 2 cents

Cath, try the Kent. I personally like it better than IO even though it's more expensive. I think coralline grows better when I use the Kent salt. and it does disolve better than IO, IMO.

Lastly, to dispell any myths about IO and Kent being the same salt., Kent and IO do utilize the same mixing facility but the salt formulas and ingredients are different. The mixing facility they use is supposed to be the best in the states and therefore results in a high quality, accurate mix from batch to batch.