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View Full Version : Common problem with Instant Ocean clumping in the bucket ?


Agu
12/10/2007, 04:50 PM
I've been using Instant Ocean for 10 years and been storing the partially used salt in the exact same place for the last 5 Years. . The most recent bucket is the only one that ever clumped into a hard mass. When I break it apart and use it the salt doesn't fully dissolve. I thought it was my imagination that it was happening to a lot of people lately, but then I did a search and found it's a common problem.

Salt not Dissolving (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1268015&highlight=instant+ocean)

Instant Ocean Salt not Dissolving (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1254632&highlight=instant+ocean)

Clumping Salt (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1251194&highlight=instant+ocean)

Preventing Salt from Clumping (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1265779&highlight=instant+ocean)

And this is only in the last 30 days and a quick search.

So is it the salt, the bucket, or just coincidence ?

m2434
12/10/2007, 05:12 PM
Besided the typical clumping, I would always have small cunks of IO that wouldn't dissolve. They tended to be sharp and crystal like, hard as a rock. I switched to another brand and all I do is pour it in, I'm not sure I even need to stir it, but I do anyway for good measure :D

Justin James
12/10/2007, 05:13 PM
I believe it's the seal on the bucket. I've noticed that my old bucket's cover reseals much easier and smoother than my new bucket. They mucked up with their lids/seals I believe.

Anemonebuff
12/10/2007, 05:16 PM
The lid hasn't had any effect on my salt. However, it may be a problem if under tightened or if it "burps" if it is over tightened. Humidity also must be taken into account.

No IO problems for me yet.

m2434
12/10/2007, 05:19 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11356252#post11356252 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Justin James
I believe it's the seal on the bucket. I've noticed that my old bucket's cover reseals much easier and smoother than my new bucket. They mucked up with their lids/seals I believe.


I think that explains the "typical clumping" I was refering to, but not the crystals IMO...

Justin James
12/10/2007, 05:45 PM
I havn't had a problem with my salt yet but I did notice the crystals you are talking about m2434. I may not notice the crystals causing a problem though because I put my RO water and IO salt in a big barrel with a powerhead and air on it for a number of days before using it.

GreshamH
12/10/2007, 05:53 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11356093#post11356093 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Agu
I've been using Instant Ocean for 10 years and been storing the partially used salt in the exact same place for the last 5 Years. . The most recent bucket is the only one that ever clumped into a hard mass. When I break it apart and use it the salt doesn't fully dissolve. I thought it was my imagination that it was happening to a lot of people lately, but then I did a search and found it's a common problem.

Salt not Dissolving (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1268015&highlight=instant+ocean)

Instant Ocean Salt not Dissolving (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1254632&highlight=instant+ocean)

Clumping Salt (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1251194&highlight=instant+ocean)

Preventing Salt from Clumping (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1265779&highlight=instant+ocean)

And this is only in the last 30 days and a quick search.

So is it the salt, the bucket, or just coincidence ?

I've had it happen on and off for the last 10+ years. IMO not a new problem, nor one isolated to just IO, but rather a problem with all ASW mix.

Cheesy_Puffs
12/10/2007, 06:03 PM
Yeah, we've had problems with our lid not fully closing when tightening it down. It also seems to be really flimsy:mad2:

The salt seems to be the same though. We always had to stir ours really well for it to mix.

Every so often I think about switching salt brands. But always come back to IO because it always seems to be the most neutral (problem free) of anything else out there...

dendro982
12/11/2007, 03:37 PM
Hadn't this problem, used several buckets, but all of them were marked 09-03. Dissolved very good too.

kar93
12/11/2007, 05:05 PM
I had the same problem with Red Sea Salt and when i crumbled the clumps it would just settle on the bottom, So i tried just putting the clumps in and its fully dissolved