Question about reef crystals

[redstang]

I've been using reef crystals for about two years now. I've almost always had an issue with what appears to be salt never completely mixing. Looks like salt, feels like salt, haven't tasted it, yet. It's there regardless if I mix to 1.021 or 1.026. If I put RO in the left over "salt" it still doesn't mix.

So, am I mixing it wrong? Is this normal for RC? Putting in too much at once?( 1 cup at a time into a 5 or 10 gal container.)

I typically mix at room temp and the pumps always brought temp to 78 which is where I keep my tank. Lately I've been using a 10gal tank to mix in so I heat the RO up and then put the salt in. Attaching pics of the left overs and might be able to see the stuff on the glass as well.

Trying to get a better or more thorough understanding of how some of this is supposed to work before setting up my 60 cube. Oh, almost forgot. My alk has been very low as well the whole time I've been using RC. I thought it might just be my tank. Alk is around 5.6 while calcium is 440 and mag is 1520. Ph is 7.8.

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Thanks!

 

[ringo®]

What kind of pump are you using...looks like stuff settling in a dead spot.

 

[hiimsean]

How long have you mixed it for and how long did you let it sit without mixing? That use to happen to me when I mixed my RSCP too long or let it sit after mixing.

If your alk is low its most likely precipitating out and that's what's in your tank.

 

[redstang]

Ringo®;913541 wrote: What kind of pump are you using...looks like stuff settling in a dead spot.

I've used multiple pumps as well both in the 10gal and the 5gal buckets. There has always been leftovers.

HiImSean;913543 wrote: How long have you mixed it for and how long did you let it sit without mixing? That use to happen to me when I mixed my RSCP too long or let it sit after mixing.

If your alk is low its most likely precipitating out and that's what's in your tank.

I've tried letting it mix 6 hours, 12 hours, 1 day, 2 days, and a week. Same result each time. I also never let it sit stagnant. There's always a pump in the mix right until I take it up to do a water change.

 

[hiimsean]

What about less than 6hrs? I know salts are different but I've found RSCP is good at about 4hrs.

Have you tried with other salts?

 

[redstang]

HiImSean;913547 wrote: What about less than 6hrs? I know salts are different but I've found RSCP is good at about 4hrs.

Have you tried with other salts?

I've tried less too. There's always some that almost immediately starts to gather at the bottom.

So I'm guessing this isn't normal. :up:

Now I need to determine if it's something I'm doing wrong or the salt. The salt is 2 years old too. I bought a 200gal box and only have a 29gal biocube. I only empty one bag at a time though into a RC salt bucket. I suppose I could dump what's left of this bag and try the last one.

Oh, started with RSCP. But it was a small bucket and I couldn't find it anywhere else locally. So bought the RC on a black friday deal.

 

[darren24]

I have used RC for over 6 years and mix mine in a 5gal bucket. I put like a mag5 in there to mix it and within 20-30 minutes it is clear and totally mixed. I have never had any residue...

 

[ringo®]

2 year old salt could be the culprit.

 

[redstang]

Ringo®;913559 wrote: 2 year old salt could be the culprit.

dangit lol!

So that leads to another question. Shelf life of RC? Probably should have asked before I bought a 200gal box and a 160gal bucket.....

 

[ringo®]

I don't think it's shelf life so much as storage conditions. Does the unopened bag have any clumps in it?

 

[redstang]

Storage has been in a basement. So fairly cool. Always sealed.

Just checked the last bag. It's solid.

 

[ringo®]

Solid as in slang or solid as in brick?

 

[redstang]

Ringo®;913575 wrote: Solid as in slang or solid as in brick?

Lol! Brick. Guessing that means it's done for. The stuff in the bucket had hardened up some over the last few months too but I had read that it was common and to just break it up and mix it before putting into water.

 

[jdavid]

The last bag (assuming you mean one of the 4 50g bags in a 200 box) was unopened and it solidified?

Usually this wouldn't happen unless it got moist, or at least that is what I think

 

[ringo®]

I've had them brick up from leaving them in the car for too long. Try to store them in a room with an A/C vent

 

[redstang]

Good thing it's almost black friday again. Although I'll be in Orlando. Hopefully one of the sponsors will let me order over the phone and hold it.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[racinrevo0818]

Swing by world wide corals in orlando think there back Friday sale on rc is like 32.99 hard to beat!!! And free BBQ

 

[redstang]

RacinRevo0818;913843 wrote: Swing by world wide corals in orlando think there back Friday sale on rc is like 32.99 hard to beat!!! And free BBQ

I might actually convince my daughter to go with me. Thanks for the tip! I'll still try sponsors first as I like to support them but that would be a good fall back plan.

 

[mcphock]

I've actually had that happen to me with fresh RC. Every so often, I'll get maybe a teaspoon full of salt (out of the 10 cups that I put in) that will not mix. I'd say, happens once every 5 water changes or so. Never found a 'cure'... just dumped it in like the rest