How Long Can Spare Water Sit

[JMcGarva]

How long can I keep premixed ready to go water for water changes. I keep it in the garage, covered, with a power head for movement. It sits in one of those 55 gal plastic drums.

 

[DrBoxedWine]

As long as it's moving... I've gone a week with no issues. I'm sure it Could go longer if you have a powerhead in it, tho

 

[heathlindner25]

I guess I would have to say indefinitely....

 

[Indymann99]

my mix tank has gone as long as 3mo between WC.

 

[tkeracer619]

Depending on the salt days to indefinitely. Alk may drop with time so do some testing prior to using it if it's been a while.

Salts with vitamins and whatnot may create a mini cycle in the salt vat if left too long. Plain old IO lasts for ages.

 

[thegrun]

+1, salts without organics can be stored indefinitely in a covered container without heat or water movement. I generally make up a month or two's worth of salt at a time.

 

[JMcGarva]

I got good water flow in my tank, but I get brown stuff in the barrel. I have a trash bag over it. I dont think its anything from the outside getting it. It looks like the brown algae thats gets in the fish tank. Its just RO/DI water and salt mixed.

Any ideas?

 

[duckmeat]

Are you using reef crystals, if so i was told its an anti clumping agent added to the mix (basically clay). Harmless, but i switched to red sea pro because of it..

 

[JMcGarva]

Im using Instant Ocean, not the reef crystal. Its the purple logo.

Can I switch salts without hurting the tank?

 

[ericarenee]

I MIX 50 Gallons at a time Using Kent marine ocean salt.. I Stopped using instant ocean because of the black crap it was leaving at the top of my tank. Reef Crystals the same..
I have a pump in my tank 1500 gph on a timer that will run 15 minutes a day . I have in the past or if i plan in messing with anything plumbing or rock work in my tank will mix up 100 gallons a few days in advance JUST IN CASE .. I ALSO Keep either 50 or 100 gallons of ro/ di water.. for a total of 150 gallons the capacity of my mixing station

 

[JMcGarva]

I have 250-300 gallons of RO/DI water storage. I like to keep 50 gallons mixed in the barrel but I'm afraid the water is going bad because I am getting that brownness and it smells. But that might be because its hot. It sits in the garage.

 

[snorvich]

I usually keep about 200 gallons of RO water on hand with power head. Never an issue. I use 80 gallons every two weeks for water changes.

 

[Fish Keeper82]

I Stopped using instant ocean because of the black crap it was leaving at the top of my tank. Reef Crystals the same..

Just curious since I use IO can you elaborate on this?

 

[ericarenee]

Just curious since I use IO can you elaborate on this?

When mixing it in my mixing tank 50 gallon tank the IO Salt was leaving a nasty brown off white foamy film all around the top sides of the tank..I had to climb up a ladder and wash it out with a towel...

I used to use it all the time myself but switched to Kent marine a year ago and ran out so the io salt is all the lfs close to me had and i needed it Grabbed a bucket and the above was the result..

I have been told this is not harmful. but who wants a black container .
I know it used to not be this way..

 

[Angry Andy]

When mixing it in my mixing tank 50 gallon tank the IO Salt was leaving a nasty brown off white foamy film all around the top sides of the tank..I had to climb up a ladder and wash it out with a towel...

I used to use it all the time myself but switched to Kent marine a year ago and ran out so the io salt is all the lfs close to me had and i needed it Grabbed a bucket and the above was the result..

I have been told this is not harmful. but who wants a black container .
I know it used to not be this way..

I also got the same brown film with the Reef Crystals mix.

I now use Bio Sea Marine mix just because I have a cheap hookup...and I didn't put two and two together until reading your post and it reminded me that I no longer have that brown film in my saltwater mixing bucket.

And the Bio Sea mix seems fine after a couple weeks, have not tested for mineral levels though. I have a batch mixed up now I will test before I do my next water change.

 

[ericarenee]

I also got the same brown film with the Reef Crystals mix.

I now use Bio Sea Marine mix just because I have a cheap hookup...and I didn't put two and two together until reading your post and it reminded me that I no longer have that brown film in my saltwater mixing bucket.

And the Bio Sea mix seems fine after a couple weeks, have not tested for mineral levels though. I have a batch mixed up now I will test before I do my next water change.

not sure i even seen that brand that i know of ..
I am all for a Cheap hook up... ON Reef salt that is..... :bounce3:

 

[FSUwxman]

As long as there is constant water movement, it's in a food safe container that's non transparent to prevent algae, and you know the container was clean before you put the water in there it should be fine for any period of time.

 

[marshrunner]

Something I haven't seen mentioned is storage temp. Could it be stored in 90+ temps then cooled to tank temp prior to water change?

 

[tehpineapple]

I don't have a RODI yet so I get my water from my LFS. I have 20 gallons on reserve for emergencies and then I go down to the store to get my normal change water. The reserve has been sitting for about 4 weeks with no water movement. It's fresh water, completely sealed and has been used for nothing but RODI water. Is this water safe or should I discard and look into a better storage solution?

 

[Shock and Awe]

Have been using Reef Crystals with small powerhead and thermometer. I have gone 3 months with no problem.