water question

[don-n-sa]

this might be a stupid question but I will ask anyway:

I am now in a good routine with my new RO/DI unit hat I purchased from air,water & ice two weeks ago and I have a couple of simple questions.

1. if I filter water and store it in capped 5g jugs, is it alright for the water to be stagnet? and how long can I store it at room temp?

2. the oceanic salt that I use seems to mix very fast ( about an hour or so ) how long should I wait before using the freshly mixed saltwater for water changes?

thanks!

[::pete::]

I have asked question number one before and its ok as long as its sealed. With the 5 gallon jugs and evaporation Im sure it wont sit around too long. Well not long enough to worry anyway.

I might get shot, but I mix my Oceanic salt first before water changes and then go to the tank and clean as well as siphon getting it all ready and then I use the water. I have been doing it manually this way for years and I have seen no problems. I also keep up on my water changes to @15% every 2 weeks in a 100gal.

Temp and Salinity are the same as it is coming from a rubbermaid container :D .

[pilot_bell777]

I personally mix my water the night before and then add airstones and let them run in the mixed water for about a day before I use it. It mixes better and I guess I am trying to keep the oxy exchange high in the new water so I don't just dump stag water on my tank......don't know if this is the best practice but what i have been doing and it seems to work for me.

[matt]

The main issue with using salt quickly after mixing is making sure the salinity and ph is correct, and that the salt is fully dissolved to provide ionic balance. I think that water coming out of an R.O./D.I. filter typically has a pretty low oxygen content; not sure of that, but it seems like I heard that someplace. Anyhow, it's a good idea to aerate your newly mixed salt water, and check the ph before you add it to your tank. I've found storing mixed up water that cyano occasionally forms a little in the tub; I assume this is due to not having a sterile mixing tub. I've always used this water with no ill effects.

As far as storing R.O. water, I assume as long as your container is clean you could store it indefinitely.

[::pete::]

I assume the oxygen is getting introduced because I use 2 rubbermaids and a 5 gallon pail. Water from one (it doesnt sit for more than a couple days) mix in the other and I use the 5gal pail to measure. As I dump and stir there are thousands of air bubbles making it to the top and then I repeat 2 more times.

Is this good enough? I have had no problems.

[pilot_bell777]

I would say if it works it works.

[NaCl_H2O]

My water change routine is identical to PRafferty's except I do a 10% change and water goes directly from mixing cotainer to sump via a flexible hose (no airation) - and no problem for the past year.

You are only changing 10-15% of the water! The turn over rate of your circulation system will get the oxygen level up PDQ.