sand in salt mix

A

AMDninjaboy

AC Members
Mar 7, 2011
66
0
0
Ont, Canada
Real Name
Shane
Been doin 50% water changes on my 20Gal long tank, been noticing little bits of sand floating around the bottom of the tank after a water change. Is this normal? I would think that any sand in the salt mix would be considered 'filler'? Is there a salt mix that doesnt contain any sand or is having a little sand in there just part of the mix? Its not alot of sand but usually a couple little piles the size of a dime.. I notice the I/O salt mix I buy is the cheapest, I dont have a reef so I figured that would be good but if I buy the I/O reef salt or a different brand of salt that doesnt have sand in it?


Shane.
 
Never seen/heard of sand in any SYNTHETIC salt mix which I/O is, a synthetic salt. Perhaps precipitates and/or detritus?????
 
It's not filler, but it is almost like sand in that it is made of the same stuff. Basically what you are noticing is a reaction between calcium salts and carbonate/bicarbonate, which results in forming insoluble calcium carbonate. This essentially drops the amount of calcium and alkalinity in solution--sometimes to very low levels, meaning the water change didn't help those numbers very much. This usually happens when either the salt has become clumped and wet or it was mixed at a very high salinity. In either case, if there is significant precipitate, the salt mix or the batch is ruined. You should be testing both calcium and alkalinity in the mixed water prior to use, though, to make sure that levels are still acceptable.

FWIW, I use both IO and RC and I don't have much, if any precipitate like that. I may get an ultra-thin coating on the mixing container, but it is minor.

Edit: Arggh, took too long to reply.
 
Are you using a pump to mix the salt? Also, giving it overnight to mix is also helpful. I/O is a fine salt. Lots of people use it.
 
I figured that I/O would be good stuff.. I mix it overnight with a powerhead and a heater and run my salt at 1.022. I will start testing alk at calcium to make sure its ok..

Shane.
 
Amphiprion said:
It's not filler, but it is almost like sand in that it is made of the same stuff. Basically what you are noticing is a reaction between calcium salts and carbonate/bicarbonate, which results in forming insoluble calcium carbonate. This essentially drops the amount of calcium and alkalinity in solution--sometimes to very low levels, meaning the water change didn't help those numbers very much. This usually happens when either the salt has become clumped and wet or it was mixed at a very high salinity. In either case, if there is significant precipitate, the salt mix or the batch is ruined. You should be testing both calcium and alkalinity in the mixed water prior to use, though, to make sure that levels are still acceptable.

FWIW, I use both IO and RC and I don't have much, if any precipitate like that. I may get an ultra-thin coating on the mixing container, but it is minor.

Edit: Arggh, took too long to reply.
Click to expand...
:):):)

If memory serves, Ca(CO3)2, a precipitates, are considered a Cal salt, (Mix Cal A & B additives to yield precipitates) which is insoluble in water but easily broken up in presence of CO2 as such process is utilized in Ca reactors.

Btw, common/pool/play sand found on most beaches are not made up of Cal salt, just some sand at specific locations, I believe.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom