Minimum Wait Time for Mixed Water?

[eastfernstreet]

Sort of an emergency . . .

In the middle of a 10 gallon water change (like the part where I've removed the water but not yet added the new water) I realized that my new water (made up Saturday PM) was tainted with something.

I've dumped it, cleaned the container, got more RO/DI water and have mixed the appropriate amount of IO reef crystals. Normally I wait at least 24 hours. Since my tank is too empty for the water to be entering the overflow, I can't go 24 hours before adding the water back. (I've got a Koralia 750 and a Koralia 850 circulating the water in the tank and have reduced the lighting (heat issues in FL).

Once it's clear, which it pretty much is already, what's my minimum safe wait time?

Thanks!

 

[TimeConsumer]

4 hours would be safe. But I've done an hour in a pinch.

 

[eastfernstreet]

Thanks TimeConsumer -- I'll see how late I can stay awake.

 

[ggrillo]

I just wait 'till it's clear usually.

 

[eastfernstreet]

Thanks GGrillo. I'm losing patience. (Dangerous in this game, I know.)

 

[Sethjamto]

If its not cloudy anymore then you should be good to go. Like you, I normally wait 24 hours though.

 

[Squidmotron]

In an emergency, I wouldn't hesistate to put it in the minute it's not cloudy.

 

[powdertang05]

Agreed. If its an emergency wait til it clears up and and up to the right temp and salinity, then use it.

 

[surgy]

I usually start mixing mine Tuesday night to do my Thursday waterchange but I have checked temp and st right after it cleared and it seams to be the exact same as after 48 hourso

 

[Dr. Reef]

in an emergency soon after its clear it can be used, on other days i wait 24 hrs. also making sure temp and salinity are the same.

 

[mykol reef]

I'm waiting 24 hours.

 

[alexander_ktn]

I just wait 'till it's clear usually.

+1 (if the temperature is right)

 

[eastfernstreet]

Thanks!

Thanks!

Thanks to all. Waited 2 hours (clear and warm).

Everyone seems to be okay. (Hopefully that will still be true when I get home this PM.)

 

[mfinn]

On my 240 softy tank, I will mix it at around 6am on Sunday morning and do the water change at 1 pm or so.
On my 50 gallon lps/sps tank I mix the water 24 hours in advance.

 

[amutti]

For a small water change (< 10%) As soon as the temp matches . Maybe 15-30 minutes. For a larger water change about and hour. Never had any issues.

 

[meisel1]

Because of the vitamins and other additives in IORC I find it best to use it within 18hrs. And I only say this because I have let it mix longer (24 to 36hrs) and have had a bit of a discolored solution left on the sides and bottom of the mixing bucket.

 

[eastfernstreet]

Because of the vitamins and other additives in IORC I find it best to use it within 18hrs. And I only say this because I have let it mix longer (24 to 36hrs) and have had a bit of a discolored solution left on the sides and bottom of the mixing bucket.

Was it a sort of brownish algae-like film? If so, that's perhaps what appeared in my bucket. I'd rinsed it, mixed it and checked it the day before and then -- presto -- gunk in the water.

 

[meisel1]

sounds like it was the same thing...once I started using the water sooner I have never seen this stuff again...also I shake salt bucket up really well before i mix with water incase things striate.

 

[Palting]

I confess!!! I've done it!! Immediately poured new saltwater into a tank!! HELP!!!

Kidding

But indeed, I've done it. Several times. 55 gallon tank. 2 five gallon buckets. Drain 5 gallons tank water into bucket and discard. Fill bucket with RODI, drizzle enough salt to make 1.025-1.025 salinity eventually. Pour water between the two buckets back and forth, lift high to aerate. When arms get tired (about 6 pourings), check salinity. If not right, add RODI or salt as needed, and resume back and forth pouring. If salinity is right, pour into tank corner and start pumps and powerheads. That was a previous tank, did alright, no issues.

Of course, today I go fancy for the 150 gallon tank. 20 gallon bin, have a 300 watt heater, a pump AND an aerating powerhead, run it for about 3 hours. However, would not hesitate to do the back and forth pour and immediately to tank in an emergency. Dunno if my puny arms could lift 20 gallons bins easily, though LOL!!