What causes precipitation?

[RBU1]

I switched to a new salt. Everytime I make a batch it clouds up. I rinsed out my pucket and cleaned all the white off my pump but what is causing this to happen? I am mixing 50 gallons of RO water with 24 cups of salt mix. The RO water fills my bucket then I add the salt to the water and let the pump run for 24 hours.....Why is it cloudy and what can I do to stop it from happeneing. It seems like when I make 25 gallons it stays clear....Only when I mix 50 gallons does it cloud up. Make any sense????

[HighlandReefer]

Localized high pH is the most likely culprit for causing precipitation of calcium carbonate. Many salt mixes push the parameters up very high, especially alk.

Adding the salt mix in smaller amounts to the water and letting the small amount completely dissolve before adding more may help. Perhaps making sure the pH does not spike high when you add it may be a better way to determine how much salt mix to add at one time.

[RBU1]

OK thanks...so next time I should add maybe half of the 24 cups then wait 24 hours and add the next half???

[HighlandReefer]

I would add more like 4 cups at a time, allow it to dissolve and then add another 4 cups. I don't think you will have to wait too long between additions as long as the water is stirred well.

[RBU1]

OK I have a mag 12 mixing things up.....

I will try adding it slow next time and see what happens...

Thanks Again.

[HighlandReefer]

Ok. Hopefully this will work. ;)

[RBU1]

I hope so or I will be looking for a new salt.......