How Long Will Mixed Saltwater Last?
- Thread starter cemyth
- Start date
heathlindner25
New member
Tagging alone......
cemyth
New member
For me it's just a little easier to mix 20 gallons at a time as opposed to 10 or 5.
I was just curious if it would go bad.
cemyth
New member
The brute has a heater and an extra Quiet One pump rated for 500 or 750 gph. I can't remember exactly. :spin3:
cemyth
New member
Oh"¦ I also have an extra air pump aerating the mixed reef crystals along with the submersible pump.
heathlindner25
New member
why is reef crystals so different? I have a 44 gallon container I've been storing mixed reef crystals in and I've noticed a brown residue along the powerheads and heater? do other salt mixes leave that residue? I like reef crystals because of where it puts my parameters.
disc1
-RT * ln(k)
Because they add organics. There's nothing wrong with it, I use it myself. But if you let it sit stagnant it will sometimes build up H2S. As long as you keep it circulating it will be fine.
Just a noob myself, but have had problems with reef crystals mix sitting, too. My bucket wasn't covered, but after about a week, I started to notice a film of stuff on top. I tried to remove it with a fine net and it broke up and spread through the mix. The mix was heated to about 78, and a powerhead was running the whole time. I didn't give it much thought until I saw this post, but concerned me enough to toss 7g worth of crystals, and 8g(evaporation) of distilled water at just under a dollar a gallon. I would think logically, that having it sit around may allow things to grow and not be as good as mixing it fresh. I just make mine a day or two before I plan to use it to let it aerate and dissolve crystals thoroughly.
That being said, I'm just a noob so I'm very curious to see what other people say. I've had extra mix after a wc once, and put it in a gallon jug sealed. I didn't keep it for long enough to learn anything, but I could see it being nice to have a bit of water ready for emergencies if it could keep long term in an airtight container. Pickled foods last nearly forever, sw seems similar. Maybe if you added some bleach to it... haha just kidding! (Horrible idea, but someone braver than me might say with a strong dose of prime right before using it that this could make your mix last almost indefinitely)
That being said, I'm just a noob so I'm very curious to see what other people say. I've had extra mix after a wc once, and put it in a gallon jug sealed. I didn't keep it for long enough to learn anything, but I could see it being nice to have a bit of water ready for emergencies if it could keep long term in an airtight container. Pickled foods last nearly forever, sw seems similar. Maybe if you added some bleach to it... haha just kidding! (Horrible idea, but someone braver than me might say with a strong dose of prime right before using it that this could make your mix last almost indefinitely)
cemyth
New member
I believe hydrogen sulfide was a problem I had when I first started using reef crystals and it mixed a little yellow with a slight funky smell. I didn't aerate it properly by keeping the lid closed. The next round I mixed, I cracked the lid, added an air pump and voilà clear water with no smell.
nogascans
Member
Never noticed any brown material, and I do aerate and use a powerhead for my Reef Crystals in a 12 gallon bucket. I did notice that I seem to collect a fine white coating on bottom of bucket. Kinda of a pain as it eventually ends up in tank at W/C time. Any issues with this being introduced into tank?
Sincerely,
David
Sincerely,
David
disc1
-RT * ln(k)
It is calcium carbonate the precipitated out of the salt mix. It is no different than putting sand or purple-up in your tank. Nothing will happen.
nogascans
Member
Thought it might be. One a precipitate, I'm guessing it never goes back to water column?
Another question then, is this good or bad for the overall water parameters then as far as new water. Anything can be done different to avoid this?
Didn't notice this with the standard I/O salt, just with Reef Cyystals.
Sincerely,
David
Another question then, is this good or bad for the overall water parameters then as far as new water. Anything can be done different to avoid this?
Didn't notice this with the standard I/O salt, just with Reef Cyystals.
Sincerely,
David
heathlindner25
New member
so tell me as if I'm a 3 year old child, is it okay to have a 44 gallon brute with salt water( Reef crystals) sitting around with a powerhead and heater for up to a month or 2 months at a time? keeping in mind I'm constantly taking some out but adding some more ? thank you in advance.
disc1
-RT * ln(k)
Yes. Absolutely safe. Keep the power head in there running and you're fine.
disc1
-RT * ln(k)
It isn't good bad or indifferent. To the tank it is the same as sand.
To help cut back on the precip, mix the salt slow and cold. The cooler the water is when you mix it up the clearer it will mix. Wait to turn the heater on until you have it dissolved.
diverdan6996
New member
brute containers?!?!?
brute containers?!?!?
My lfs told me brute containers not good, made with something....in realation somehow to algecides that could be detrimental to the tank? Anybody have any comment on that?!?
brute containers?!?!?
My lfs told me brute containers not good, made with something....in realation somehow to algecides that could be detrimental to the tank? Anybody have any comment on that?!?
I remember seeing a thread on here or somewhere about brute. Something about checking to make sure the right stamp is on the bottom of the container.
It is food grade but something with the salt and all does something to certain types...
Do a search for brute saltwater storage and you will see an array of threads not only here but a few other places too (like a google search)
It is food grade but something with the salt and all does something to certain types...
Do a search for brute saltwater storage and you will see an array of threads not only here but a few other places too (like a google search)
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