If someone has problems mixing salts... meaningful information must be offered.
1) Was the bag of salt opened then used... Or, was the bag of salt opened a while back and the salt was damp and no longer a fine dry powder?
If the salt picked up moisture it will not dissolve as rapidly as bone dry salts in a newly opened package.
If the salt bag was opened and the salts picked up mositure, it is possible contaminants were brought into the salt.
2) We mix in 2000 pound + lots. Thus one 15 pound package cannot be "bad".
3) If there is an unusual odor with freshly mixed salts, check all equipment in contact with the chemistry and the mixed solution.
No one from around the world reports odor or cloudy water from BIO-SEA.
4) For BIO-SEA to be 450 ppm. of Ca, the honest SG would be 1.027-1.028.
Adding cups of salts is a very loose guide line. It is always better to use a quality hydrometer. Better yet, use a quality refractometer.
5) Purchasing a 150 gal. size carton and using small portions (cups) at a time is not the best way to use any marine salt.
If 25 gallons is required, get the 25 gallon size. If 50 gallons is needed, get the 50 gallon size.
Traditionally those that purchase the 150 gal. size and use small portions at a time ultimately end up with a wet, damp or caked block of salts about 50% into the carton.
Wet, damp or caked salts will hydrate into a cloudy solution. The pH changes as a portion of the buffering system is activated when wet.
These expected events negate any savings in purchasing large size salts vs. using the proper size that allows fresh, uncontaminated for aquarists exacting needs.
6) There should be no need to add any supplements to freshly mixed BIO-SEA.
What "buffer" was added? Was this the cause of cloudy water, chemical imbalance, etc?
7) What is the code number on the top of the carton?
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