Storing saltwater (1 Viewer)

[malira]

How long would you or can you store saltwater you have mixed for water changes? What are some of the problems with keeping it longer than a day or two?

 

[jskeen]

Well I can't speak to a maximum, but most salts recommend that the mixed water be agitated and oxygenated for 24 to 48 hours before use to allow the chemistry to buffer. Given movement and oxygen I can't see why it wouldn't keep almost indefinitely after that as long as it isn't open to evaporation or light.

Someone with the real answers is welcome to explain my errors to me though.

 

[d2mini]

Mine gets mixed for 24 hours and then sits in the 65 holding tank for weeks, as my AWC changes a few gallons per day.

 

[inigomontoya]

Mine gets mixed for 24 hours and then sits in the 65 holding tank for weeks, as my AWC changes a few gallons per day.

+1, I always have mixed sw on hand. Leads to having to vinegar out the holding container from that clay junk with reef crystals every month or two.

 

[malira]

Wow. That's great to know.

For my nano 10 gallon, thread soon to come, I plan on doing weekly or twice a week water changes. so I would like to make the water for the week or two weeks.

 

[Nickig23]

+1, I always have mixed sw on hand. Leads to having to vinegar out the holding container from that clay junk with reef crystals every month or two.

+2, mine is always mixed and ready to go in a 50gal container with an air stone and an external pump running in it at all times.


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[mwilliams62]

Also depends on the salt mix as well. Red Sea recommends to let theirs mix for 4 hours and is ready to use. Another brand I think the name is B-Ionic something like that you can use it right away after it mixes. But you have to follow the directions for mixing. Not sure if mixing it to long might cause the numbers to drop since it would no longer be freshly mixed.

 

[OceansX]

IMO with a highly buffered/high alk salt after the mixing period (~24 hrs), you'll want to use it in few days OR stop aerating/mixing. Then before use, you'll want to mix it for several hours (maybe another ~12-24 hours). In labs, they keep saltwater, sealed up and cool in storage - no mixing or aeration while in storage.

I've caused precipitation of calcium carbonate if I leave my salt mixing for too long from drawing-in more and more CO2, evaporation, or warming up the water.

I aim to mix for 24 hours, continually mix, and then use within a few days. I use Reef Crystals that mixes to a high alk (my preference).

 

[malira]

So I mix it for 12 to 24 hrs (depending) then either use it or stop mixing, seal it and store in a cool place to be used in the next couple of days. If I store it longer than say 4 or 5 days then I should remix before use.

Sound good?

 

[OceansX]

So I mix it for 12 to 24 hrs (depending) then either use it or stop mixing, seal it and store in a cool place to be used in the next couple of days. If I store it longer than say 4 or 5 days then I should remix before use.

Sound good?

Sounds good.

It's probably good once mixed and stored, but I'd mix it for a bit after storage.