does mixed salt water go bad???

[izzy123]

hello,

i read a thread on how fast you can use freshly mixed saltwater, but i was wondering how slow you can do this.
let me explain: i was thinking of setting up a 50 gallon tank in my garage, and mixing it with salt, but i would only need 5 gallons every 2 weeks for my water changes.

that would mean that the water for my last change would be about 20 weeks old. :worried:

is this a good idea? or am i setting myself up for a world of trouble:worried:

thank you, this forum is GREAT by the way!!

 

[Billybeau1]

No problems from what I see. Just put a small pump in there to keep it circulation and a heater if it gets cold where you are.

Mixed salt water can last for awhile if you keep it moving.

and

[welcome]

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

If it contains no organic matter (like vitamins), then a mix (like Instant Ocean) can basically sit forever unstirred or heated and be fine. I often keep it for weeks unstirred.

If you are doing large water changes, you may want to aerate and heat it before use, but I use it in many small changes, so I do neither.

 

[RickMartin]

I would think that bacteria could get in there, although I am not sure if that would harm it or not

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

If there is no organic matter, there is little that bacteria can do to harm the water. There surely will be some from the salt, the air, and the container, if not the fresh water you start with.

 

[RickMartin]

I've just noticed that pumps and hose left in my RO container or my mix container build up a coat of slime. I was told or read at one point it was bacteria. I'm not sure how much organic material would be needed but couldn't it also be brought in through dust in the air.

 

[izzy123]

If it contains no organic matter (like vitamins), then a mix (like Instant Ocean) can basically sit forever unstirred or heated and be fine. I often keep it for weeks unstirred.

If you are doing large water changes, you may want to aerate and heat it before use, but I use it in many small changes, so I do neither.

uh..... not to sound stupid, but what's the difference if there are vitamines in the water, and how would they get there?

i would make the saltwater with osmose (i hope that's the correct english word for it), because the tapwater over here is very, very high on calcium (18 DH) so besides the salt there wouldn't be anything in the water to "contaminate it.
i would use a sealed drum, so evaporation wouldn't be a problem.
by the way, BILLYBEAU1..... thank you for the warm welcome... it really makes a guy feel welcome :thumbsup:

I don't know if you feel the same way after i asked the 2000000th (stupid) question tho....

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

but what's the difference if there are vitamines in the water, and how would they get there?


Some salt mixes add vitamins and other organic matter. Reef Crystals, for example.

My primary concern with organic matter is that bacteria will consume it, using up O2, and possibly resulting in production of toxic hydrogen sulfide. That won't happen in the absence of added organic matter, even if you get some slime. That said, if you keep it stirred and aerated, it is not likely a concern, except that the vitamins may degrade or disappear over time. Since it is not known what they are or how much is there, or if they provide any benefit, it is hard to say what that means.


I've just noticed that pumps and hose left in my RO container or my mix container build up a coat of slime. I was told or read at one point it was bacteria. I'm not sure how much organic material would be needed but couldn't it also be brought in through dust in the air.

I am not concerned about bacteria. If you are, then maybe you shouldn't store water for a long period. That said, most people complaining of heavy slime and such in their actual salt water are probably using salts like Reef Crystals that have organic matter in it. I do not see much bacterial growth in my Instant Ocean.

 

[izzy123]

but what's the difference if there are vitamines in the water, and how would they get there?


Some salt mixes add vitamins and other organic matter. Reef Crystals, for example.

My primary concern with organic matter is that bacteria will consume it, using up O2, and possibly resulting in production of toxic hydrogen sulfide. That won't happen in the absence of added organic matter, even if you get some slime. That said, if you keep it stirred and aerated, it is not likely a concern, except that the vitamins may degrade or disappear over time. Since it is not known what they are or how much is there, or if they provide any benefit, it is hard to say what that means.

okay , thanks for your answer.

would it be better to topoff the tank(refill the evaporated water) with saltwater instead of osmose water, or would that effect the salinitie?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You need to top off with fresh water, or else the salinity will rise, since only water evaporates.

 

[izzy123]

You need to top off with fresh water, or else the salinity will rise, since only water evaporates.

okay, great.... i got that one right from the first time :lol2:
i'm feeling pretty proud of myself :thumbsup:

anyway, thanks again to all you guys.... BIG THUMBS UP!! :thumbsup:

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

:lol:

You're welcome.

Good luck.

 

[flameangel9]

I've just noticed that pumps and hose left in my RO container or my mix container build up a coat of slime. I was told or read at one point it was bacteria. I'm not sure how much organic material would be needed but couldn't it also be brought in through dust in the air.

Here's a question I never had the bowling balls to ask but always wondered.

Thanks Rick for asking and Randy for answering.

And yes, my name is Jeff and I use Reef Crystals

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

:thumbsup:

Happy Reefing.