Old salt brown specs

[gclackum]

I mixed up some tank water with salt that was old (maybe 3 years or more) it was clumped and needed to be broken up. Haven’t used the water yet but there appears to be brown flakes in the new water. Anybody else had this problem, is the water usable.
I’m old and forgetful but it seams I may have run into this before but can’t remember if the water was usable

 

[york1]

What brand of salt? Might be the anti caking agent some salts use. If it were me I would start over with fresh salt. If you really need to use it I would check alk and calcium before using

 

[gclackum]

It was an old bag of reef crystals

 

[civics14]

Normal for even fresh reef crystals.

 

[gclackum]

Normal for even fresh reef crystals.

So ok to use? hate to waste 33 gal of RODI water

 

[Adam]

I used a bag of RC that was the same, old and solid as a brick. He to break it up and when mixed had more brown residue and floating flakes in the water. I ended up using it as it was for system cycling anyway.

I'd test the salinity and big 3. If all are in range I'd net the flakes out and use the water a little at a time to see if you have any adverse effects. Once gone clean out the mixing container.
In future, solid blocks of salt mix make great salt licks for deer...