How long can premixed saltwater sit?

[Jenn]

I mixed up a 30 gal. batch of saltwater about 2 weeks ago and put a pump in it to keep it moving. Can I still add it to my tank?

Thanks in advance,
Jenn

[gjuarez]

Jenn, I am not sure but I have heard aged water is preffered.

[Jenn]

I think I read that somewhere before too, but want to check before I add it. Thanks.

[GaryP]

Jenn,

Go for it. Your's alkalinity may be a little lower after it sits but as long as its well stirred it should be OK. Check the alkalinity in the tank after your water change and add buffer if necessary.

[Jenn]

Great! Will do. There is a whitish residue along the inside of the tub, but it wipes right off and dissolves quickly. Thanks for the help Gary.

[GaryP]

The white residue is calcium carbonate that has precipitated. It probably didn't dissolve, but rather just dispersed so that you didn't see it anymore.

I just got through cleaning my trash can that use to make salt water. It wasn't white anymore. :) Bacteria grow in the precipitate and turn it nice ugly gray. A little acid cured that. There's alsways a little water left over in the trash can between water changes and the bugs grow in there. It doesn't hurt anything, but I got tired of dealing with the flaked off pieces of scale in the bottom of the trash can, so I cleaned it.

[jaded]

good thread I was wondering the same thing

[GaryP]

When they say "aged" water, they usually mean at least 24 hrs.

My water change can sits on the back porch and I think the temperature changes causes the calcium carbonate to precipitate.

[Jenn]

Makes complete sense. I THOUGHT it dissolved, but there is still a nasty hue to the water so I just dumped it. I didn't mean to leave it so long, but on last water change I strained my back and just decided to try again. Definitely won't be doing that again.

[GaryP]

If there is solids in the water I just run it through a filter sock as it goes into my sump. I pump from the trash can through a python to the tank's sump. I saved what was left in the bottom of the trash can by pouring it through a fine mesh fish net into a bucket. After I cleaned the trash can I just poured it back in.

[NaCl_H2O]

I try to Mix & use within 24-48 hours. Like Gary said, our mixing containers usually have some left over residue, and usually a little moisture. I'm very hesitant to "clean" my mixing reservoir due to introducing chemicals into the system.

I imagine that between water changes our mixing containers grow some stuff (mold, algae, bacteria) that would begin to bloom when we mix a new batch of water, and get to growing rapidly if sitting for multiple days.

No facts here, just my thoughts ... this may all be BS, but I like to get the new water into the system ASAP so the biological filtration system can get to work on it.

[GaryP]

I used hydrochloric (muriatic) acid. I rinsed the trash can very well afterwards and turned it upside down to drain and dry. Hydrochloric acid is 100% water soluble so there shouldn't be any residue. Before dumping it out in the yard, I neutralized it with washing soda.

[dan]

do you have to clean out the buckets if you refill them right away with fresh water to start a new batch? here's what i have.

[NaCl_H2O]

do you have to clean out the buckets if you refill them right away with fresh water to start a new batch? here's what i have.

Somebody has been busy :o

I have basically the same thing. My typical water change is 75-100g, which takes 1.5-2 days to make up the RO/DI. I end up leaving a little water in the bottom of the barrels that the pump can't pull out. I just leave it until the next WC - usually it evaporates out. I clean them up a little with tap water & a clean brush once every few months or so.

[RobertG]

Dan, can you give me another shot, close up I really need to do something like this. Maybe the side view.

I would say it would be alright to let them sit. Aslong as there is a pump going on every once in a while. I would say every other hour.

[dan]

here's a side shot and a close up. it' all gravity fed. the only pumps are in the barrels to keep the water stired up. the open pipe you see is higher than my sump so once i open the valve the pressure from the barrel will empty out. at this point nothing is hooked up. will be a 6' fuge right next to the mixing barrels. probably next week project.

[RobertG]

I guess the pumps are not in place yet. I would really like to see it all running. Is the pump going to pump from the fresh to the salt?

Please post your progress, this is a great DIY thread. I dont want to hitch-hike this one. Sorry Jenn!

[dan]

not worried at all my 350 is setting on the same thing. all 1''x 4''s. these barrels are only 55gal.

[Jenn]

Hey Robert, no worries...Dan's project is awesome! I am learning a lot and need to do the same type of thing. Manual water changes are just too time consuming and difficult on a large system.

[GaryP]

Hey Dan,

Will you come build one of those water change systems for my 9 gal. Nano? Weekly water changes on it are a pain.

[Jenn]

:lol LOL Gary! :lol

[Thunderkat]

Very nice set up I give it 2 thumbs up! (I would give you 3 but I am missing some pieces).

[dan]

Is the pump going to pump from the fresh to the salt?

no i just open the blue ball valve and the water will fill the barrel on the left by equalizing water level. no pumps