Salt Storage

[dakota9]

Hey guys,

I recently acquired a half bucket of Seachem Reef Salt because it was so cheap, but yet also know I'll be getting out of the hobby for a while soon (fear not, after almost 25 years in the hobby on and off, my next tank is just right around the corner ).

I was thinking about the best way to store this salt, as it should be fine to keep for a year or so providing it doesn't get wet.

I took some wide mouth 32oz containers, with snug screw caps that have foam liners and filled with all the salt for easier storage. The containers are air tight, but after a few months, I was beginning to wonder if it would clump.

Don't laugh, but in our kitchen and dining table salt shakers, we put pasta, rice or a half a soda cracker in it to keep the salt from clumping, and it works well. I realize the salt shaker isn't airtight like my salt containers, but I decided to put a soda cracker on top of the salt in the containers before I sealed the lid. I figure "no harm, no foul" as I'll just remove the cracker before I use the salt, but wondered if it would help?

Any thoughts?

I'll let you know 6 months to a year from now when I open the containers.

 

[jbadd99]

I don't have nearly as much experience as you, but I figure a good 'ole bucket with a seal at the top would work just fine.

I bought two 5 gallon buckets about a year ago of IO salt and I'm just now getting around halfway down on the second bucket. I haven't had an issue with clumping at all. So, assuming the seal is good, I think you'll be fine.

 

[dakota9]

I've only tried storing salt once, a half bucket of IO.

After 6 months or so, it was hard as a brick, and the minerals wouldn't fully dissolve, but I think that was because of all the empty head spce in the bucket. Who knows.

Thanks for your in put.

 

[smoothie]

Seachem has a nice rubber gasket so you should be fine if that is in place

 

[jef4y]

some rice, couscous or crackers in a tea bag will work great as a desiccant. I measured mine out into amounts that would make 5 gal of seawater, and put them in ziplocs. Put those ziplocs back in a bag and in the bucket. Keeping them in an airconditioned area is VERY key, but mine have lasted a year.