I hear ya.
Alk being low would be a strong indicator of moisture getting to the salt.
Something else that maybe goes under-appreciated by the bulk of salt mixers is the hygroscopic nature of many of the salts in our mix. Leaving the lid off your bucket or your bag open is almost the same as dumping water in. Even short exposures can have an effect on your salt's consistency.
Calcium chloride is probably the main calcium source in most salt mixes. It is also the same as the driveway salt you see in the shape of little white balls.
As an experiment, place some calcium chloride on a table and watch it. Over the course of a fairly short time (depending on humidity), that calcium will attract enough water from the air to fully dissolve itself into liquid form. There will be nothing left on the table but a little drop of (very salty) water.
Same thing happens in your bucket, only it's a very fine powder in there so it happens QUICK!
-Matt
Alk being low would be a strong indicator of moisture getting to the salt.
Something else that maybe goes under-appreciated by the bulk of salt mixers is the hygroscopic nature of many of the salts in our mix. Leaving the lid off your bucket or your bag open is almost the same as dumping water in. Even short exposures can have an effect on your salt's consistency.
Calcium chloride is probably the main calcium source in most salt mixes. It is also the same as the driveway salt you see in the shape of little white balls.
As an experiment, place some calcium chloride on a table and watch it. Over the course of a fairly short time (depending on humidity), that calcium will attract enough water from the air to fully dissolve itself into liquid form. There will be nothing left on the table but a little drop of (very salty) water.
Same thing happens in your bucket, only it's a very fine powder in there so it happens QUICK!
-Matt