Water issues

[edfern1115]

I made 20 gallons of saltwater last night. Checked it this morning and the water was cloudy, almost like a cup or 2 of milk was added to it. I used Instant Ocean Reef Crystals and R/O water. I've been making my own water for the past year or so using the same products and routine. Does anyone have any idea why the water is milky? Should I still use it or just dump it?

 

[Jekyl]

I made 20 gallons of saltwater last night. Checked it this morning and the water was cloudy, almost like a cup or 2 of milk was added to it. I used Instant Ocean Reef Crystals and R/O water. I've been making my own water for the past year or so using the same products and routine. Does anyone have any idea why the water is milky? Should I still use it or just dump it?

Have you always left it sitting?

 

[bluemon]

I made 20 gallons of saltwater last night. Checked it this morning and the water was cloudy, almost like a cup or 2 of milk was added to it. I used Instant Ocean Reef Crystals and R/O water. I've been making my own water for the past year or so using the same products and routine. Does anyone have any idea why the water is milky? Should I still use it or just dump it?

Just stir it up vigorously and let it settle, most of it should dissolve with little precipitate down on the bottom. I wouldn't toss

 

[edfern1115]

Have you always left it sitting?

I always prepare it the day before in a Brute garbage can and I have 2 powerheads positioned so that the water is circulating. When I initially mix it, I use a boat paddle to make sure its properly mixed

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

High alk mixes typically will have some calcium carbonate precipitate. I’d just let it settle out and use it.

 

[edfern1115]

High alk mixes typically will have some calcium carbonate precipitate. I’d just let it settle out and use it.

Ok. Thanks for the reply.

 

[BryanM]

My concern is the change, you seem to have been doing this for a while, and this one batch is now cloudy.

Was this the only time you let it sit over night?

I do not like the change in the result, and I personally would not use it, or I'd throw a powerhead in there and get it mixed properly and have it clear up.

 

[bluemon]

My concern is the change, you seem to have been doing this for a while, and this one batch is now cloudy.

Was this the only time you let it sit over night?

I do not like the change in the result, and I personally would not use it, or I'd throw a powerhead in there and get it mixed properly and have it clear up.

As long as it tests fine, and the alk isn’t too high compared to the tank water, I don’t see an issue

 

[edfern1115]

My concern is the change, you seem to have been doing this for a while, and this one batch is now cloudy.

As long as it tests fine, and the alk isn’t too high compared to the tank water, I don’t see an issue

i do have two powerheads in there. I'll check I'll test rhe water tomorrow and make my decision then.

My concern is the change, you seem to have been doing this for a while, and this one batch is now cloudy.

Was this the only time you let it sit over night?

I do not like the change in the result, and I personally would not use it, or I'd throw a powerhead in there and get it mixed properly and have it clear up.

I do have 2 powerheads in there. They've been in there since I prepared it. I'll test it tomorrow and make my decision then.

My concern is the change, you seem to have been doing this for a while, and this one batch is now cloudy.

Was this the only time you let it sit over night?

I do not like the change in the result, and I personally would not use it, or I'd throw a powerhead in there and get it mixed properly and have it clear up.

I have 2 powerheads in there since last night. I spoke with someone at Ocean Reef and he said it may be the calcium carbonate. I'll test it tomorrow and decide then. Thanks for your help.

Was this the only time you let it sit over night?

I do not like the change in the result, and I personally would not use it, or I'd throw a powerhead in there and get it mixed properly and have it clear up.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’d turn off the powerheads and let it settle. It won’t go clear without settling.

 

[edfern1115]

I’d turn off the powerheads and let it settle. It won’t go clear without settling.

That makes sense. So if whatever is clouding it "settles," should I avoid transferring it to the buckets? Does it matter? Also, something that was different with this mix is thatvthe salt was hard in the bucket. I had to use a tool to break it up. I've never had to do that before. Thank that may have something to do with the change?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It makes no difference if it gets in the tank or not. It almost certainly is just calcium carbonate. Like sand.

But in a tank with flow, it may take a long time to settle out.

 

[edfern1115]

It makes no difference if it gets in the tank or not. It almost certainly is just calcium carbonate. Like sand.

But in a tank with flow, it may take a long time to settle out.

Oknthwn. Thanks for the help. Much appreciated.