Storing saltwater

[kattsue]

Can saltwater be mixed and stored for long periods of time or should it only be mixed a few days before adding to tank. Most articles I've read say it has to be circulated and heated. Another article said you can heat some saltwater in the microwave (not boil), then add it to your saltwater to be added to tank.

 

[IHOP]

I just mix it before I need it.

 

[themolt]

as long as it is mixed before you add it and within a few weeks old i think its fine (no 100% promises). i would assume that it's just like water but with salt. regular water does not go bad just sitting in a jug. just needs to have the right salinity for livestock to survive. if it is used for ATO heater is not really required unless you want extreme stability. if for water changes of a few gallons then yes temp needs to be same.

 

[Diver4life]

Well, i keep it in a 35 gal bucket with a power head all the time so it always aerated. If you just mix it before adding to the tank,the salt will not be dissolved completely and can damage your fish gills.

 

[uscharalph]

How much water are you storing and for how long?

 

[snorvich]

I store around 220 gallons but I keep it flowing with a pump and heated to around 77 degrees. My water change methodology requires about 150 gallons at a time and my storage tank holds 250 gallons so I have to store more than I need for one water change. But I think you have to keep it circulating if you are going to store it.

 

[bmk]

I mix and store mine for two weeks, on the morning i need it i add a heater and pump for about an hour.

Barry

 

[zotzer]

I have a 24G storage container, and always have between 5-15g ready to go. I keep a powerhead going in it all of the time, and put a heater in it the night before I do a water change.

I've been using the same bin for months and just keep adding to it (it's never really *empty*).

Haven't had any issues doing it this way.

Tracy

 

[Akaash]

As long as the water is kept flowing so it won't become stagnant it will be fine to mix before hand.

 

[rhino509]

should be mixed at least 4 hours before water change,as there are chemical reactions that happen within that time.temperature is important too,the salinity will be and measure low if the water is cold.

 

[an411]

Yeah make sure you keep water movement in there I learned the hard way and left 30 gallons in a garbage can for to long. oh man did that stink. I couldnt even open the lid without running away. Now i keep 30 gallons of fresh and transfer it over to another container and pre mix it a day before a water change and do it that way. Cause the ro/di water does not go stagnant

 

[gkyle]

I keep a spare 55g tank plumbed with RO/DI water and use that to mix salt. I have a couple power heads in there and a heater and I just keep it topped off all the time so I'll have en emergency supply. I can't imagine it going bad as long as the water is moving.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

In general, mixed artificial salt water made with RO/DI can be stored without stirring. It usually won't stagnate because there are no organics in it to degrade. I always store mine unstirred, often for weeks.

That is very different for used tank water or ocean water, which can readily stagnate without aeration. It may also be true if using tap water if there is organic material in it.

 

[Beanfish]

The only thing I have to add is, just test your specific gravity before adding due to evaporation.