coral pro salt? Instructions - Mix for .5 to 2 hours. Do not mix for over 4 hours. Why?

[debbeach13]

Does anyone know what happens? I started mixing my weekly water change Saturday, but something came up and this morning is the first chance I have to get back to it. I could dump it and start over BUT I don't understand what happens after 4 hours. Is it really not usable?

[Staticmoves]

CoPilot 

 

Mixing Red Sea Coral Pro Salt for longer than 4 hours can lead to precipitation of calcium and alkalinity. This happens because the salt mix has elevated levels of these elements, which can come out of solution if mixed for too long¹². This precipitation can affect the water’s chemistry, making it less ideal for your aquarium inhabitants¹.

To avoid this, it’s recommended to mix the salt for the specified time and use it shortly after¹. This helps maintain the desired water parameters and ensures a healthier environment for your reef tank.

[mcarroll]

On 11/4/2024 at 8:53 AM, debbeach13 said:

I don't understand what happens after 4 hours. Is it really not usable?

Precipitation doesn't happen from over-mixing (this isn't bread dough! 😉) and it is not from a 4 hour time limit.

 

The unstated assumption in their "...4 hour..." guideline is that you will be using a heater and/or pump during the mixing process.  Both devices create localized heat sources.   In a nutshell, heat drives the precipitation of alkalinity from solution.  In four hours of continuous mixing+heating there is probably enough precipitation going on to be an issue in their opinion.

 

So...

 

A) Don't use a heater when you're mixing saltwater.  B) Don't use a pump for mixing.   Then you have no 4 hour mixing limit.

 

Incidentally, pumps are so inefficient at mixing (at least under ordinary conditions) that the entire ".5 to 4 hour" mixing time frame they recommend is due to the assumed use of pumps for mixing.

 

Mixing by hand or with a mixing paddle is MUCH faster....5 gallons can be mixed up in about 5 minutes....50 gallons doesn't take a lot longer, maybe 10 min. 

[debbeach13]

I used it before anyone commented. a 3-gallon WC on a 20-gallon tank. No ill effects that I noticed in the tank. There was a little residue in the bucket that I do not usual see.

[Reefkid88]

I have used mine next day before and I saw no issues whatsoever.