New water is murky...

I just made about 4 gallons of new saltwater. Same routine i always go thru. Only this time, i cant even see the bottom. I cant even see the pump in it... and i do NOT wanna add that sh¡t to my tank... Its in a 5 gallon homer bucket from HD.

I use a maxi 600 to mix, and it has been ever since i filled the bucket up. Is my salt bad? I hope not cuz i always seem to have "bad salt" Using reef crystals too.

I need to look into a way of storing salt long term. i buy the bags of 55 gallons at a time, cuz i only have a 20 gallon tank. Is there some secret container other than a 5 gallon bucket i can use. cuz that seems to not work like i thought.

Thanks guys!

 

How long has it been mixing?

 

at least 3 hrs. Usually by now its clear. Im going to give it more time obviously but this is just abnormal ime.

 

I had a pail of salt for 5 yrs and it was still good. It was IO and kept in the original pail. I can't see salt mix going bad truthfully. Did you have the bucket full of water then add the salt? Or add the salt then the water?

 

I dumped in the salt and then turned on my rodi. within 2 seconds of each other.

Come to think of it i usually do it the other way around, i fill the bucket then add the salt... is there a right/ wrong way?

 

IIRC, if you use the same bucket over and over, the residue can cause some cloudiness. Some salts take longer to mix up as well. Temperature of the water is also a factor. I always let mine mix for a day minimum usually much longer, and have never had an issue with any salt. Just give it time.

 

Salt should go in after the water.

 

That's the problem. If you add the salt first you get a reaction (precipitation of the salts) because there is so much salt in so little water. Forgive me I'm beat and need to go to bed, I'll try and find a thread that was here recently that explained it. You should add the salt to the water and you're okay. BRB if I can find it.

 

Thanks i plan on it as i never add new water within a day at least. I hope it does clear up. I mean if not ill just grab another bag, but i dont want to lol.

I dont put a heater in it, as i put it behind my prjector tv, it gets pretty hot back there.

 

i'd add salt to water! you'll prob get it to dissolve, but there's your issue! Ya created a sludge!