Long Term Saltwater Storage Without Dropping DKH... Possible??

[NewReefer42]

I'm new to reefing, but not chemistry (analytical chemist). if the problem is CO2 dissolving into the water and precipitating CaCO3, why not just keep it out by sparging N2 through the system?

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[fatboyracing]

I made my saltwater about once a month and never had mine drop I keep it in a rv water holder in the garage. I mix it again for a few minutes before adding to the tank

 

[fatboyracing]

I made my saltwater about once a month and never had mine drop I keep it in a rv water holder in the garage. I mix it again for a few minutes before adding to the tank

I also kept it heated if that changed anything

 

[Rahl187]

You store your saltwater for 30 days without doing anything special and it does not drop Alk? I highly doubt that. Perhaps you are using the same container for many many years and the inside surface of the container is fully precipitated?

 

[Rahl187]

As far as the CO2 question, I don't think that is what is happening. Alk simply combines with Ca naturally. Not sure what Nitrogen would do. But this reminds me of a thought I had, add CO2 to the saltwater mix to lower the pH, aka, raises acidity enough to the point that it will not allow Alk to combine with Ca. Then of coarse, allow the CO2 to gas out before use. I'm pretty sure that would work.

 

[bdturtle21]

This is a fantastic thread!!

I have been having troubles with my alk not staying dead stable and think this might be part of my problem! I tend to mix salt (I use Reef Crystals and mix in RO/DI) and let it sit w/ a heater and powerhead before using. Sometimes it sits for 2-3 hours, sometimes it sits for 3-4 days.

I've recently noticed that my alk dropped after a water change (10%) when I used the mixed saltwater that had been sitting for 3-4 days. Alk was 8.5dkh before the change and 8.3dkh after.

Yesterday I did my weekly wc with freshly mixed water (sat for <12 hours) and the alk bumped up slightly - before the water change it was 7.89dkh and after 8.3dkh.

Letting my mixed saltwater sit for varying periods of time before doing a wc might be why I've been chasing small fluctuations in my alk the past few weeks.... I'm going to make sure mix just before the wc from now on and see if that helps.

Thanks everyone!!

 

[saf1]

Hmm...interesting reading.

I was planning on collecting and storing NSW in the garage. I'm in California and within a couple hours of decent NSW. Time to re-read through all this because I was under the impression you can store NSW relatively easy with a long shelf life.

 

[ksc]

You can store saltwater for long periods of time, just don't run a pump or heater. The pump is basically a small heater. Mix it for 10 minutes, or however long it takes to mix completely, then put it in a sealed container.

 

[Rahl187]

Have you actually tested this thoroughly? So there is something about preventing gas exchange that will inhibit precipitation? Does this work for natural sea water only since it has been stabilized or with synthetic as well? I am willing to bet money that a fresh batch of Instant Ocean, even in sealed container, will drop Alk. I will test this very soon when I get my new salt in, and then you will owe me money lol.

 

[NewReefer42]

As far as the CO2 question, I don't think that is what is happening. Alk simply combines with Ca naturally. Not sure what Nitrogen would do. But this reminds me of a thought I had, add CO2 to the saltwater mix to lower the pH, aka, raises acidity enough to the point that it will not allow Alk to combine with Ca. Then of coarse, allow the CO2 to gas out before use. I'm pretty sure that would work.

N2 would prevent CO2 from dissolving into the solution, on the assumption that CO2 dissolution is what is responsible for precipitation, which may not be the case. it was just a curiosity.

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[NewReefer42]

Have you actually tested this thoroughly? So there is something about preventing gas exchange that will inhibit precipitation? Does this work for natural sea water only since it has been stabilized or with synthetic as well? I am willing to bet money that a fresh batch of Instant Ocean, even in sealed container, will drop Alk. I will test this very soon when I get my new salt in, and then you will owe me money lol.

let me know the results of this, I'm interested.

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