does salt go bad?

[tripleup05]

I have a bag of instant ocean salt that i got when i got my tank. The only problem is, I have no idea how old the bag is. And its open...for all i know it has been open for 5 years. doubtful, but ya never know. It is sorta clumpy, but no discolored or anything. Think it would be okay to use or no?

 

[PJsea]

It's probably OK unless it's been contaminated by something. Salts are composed of "salts" and minerals and compounds that have been around for millions of years.

 

[Len]

Atually, an open bag of salt mix will absorb airborne moisture, including any contaminates in the air. That's why it is clumpy. Personally, I would err on the side of caution and not use this salt.

 

[DaGoldenChild]

i used an old bag of salt when i first got my tank it was given to me by a friend i dont know how old the salt was but im guessing a few years, it didnt harm my tank but it didnt help it in terms of salinity either, all in all i ended up tossing the bag and going out and buying "fresh" salt, i dont think its worth the effort to use old salt especially when its clumpylike mine was

 

[danmhippo]

I wouldn't use it. A bag of new salt is relatively cheap. It's a risk not worth taking.

 

[Logic_Bomb]

Atually, an open bag of salt mix will absorb airborne moisture, including any contaminates in the air. That's why it is clumpy. Personally, I would err on the side of caution and not use this salt.

What he said. I may not have been reefkeeping long, but I know enough chemistry to confirm exactly what he said. You probably wouldn't pick up any organisms, but toxins leeched from the air are a big possibility. Thus, it's always a good idea to store excess salt in an airtight container.