How long is filtered water good for?

[gold_gla55]

I have a ro-di system that I run into a 35 gallon container out in my sun room (covered back patio) in Florida. My question is if I make more water than I need how long is it good for if I don't use it and leave it in the container on the patio?

 

[DragKnee]

I cant imagine RO water ever going "bad". I sit on my RO water for quite a while between my ATO and my storage containers.

Salt is a different story. I try to use that up within 2 weeks. That may even be pushing it, but I havent noticed any negatives

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[gold_gla55]

Ya, the salt we mix as we need it for WC. I was just curious on the how long the purified water can sit for before the salt stage. Thanks a bunch!

 

[AZDesertRat]

I keep RO/DI for 6-9 months or longer in sealed jugs or covered containers with no issues. If possible I would move your water storage inside in a climate controlled area or at least in a garage to cut down on dust, heat/cold and the effects of sunlight.

 

[typicaltony]

if its sealed off i see no problem but if its out in the open, contaminants in the air could ruin it.

 

[robbrouse]

What about premixed salt water? I have a 30 gallon can and it's stored in the basement and it last 2 to 3 weeks before I make more.

 

[AZDesertRat]

I don't keep mixed saltwater for more than a day or two myself, I find it gets slimy and starts to smell after tha even if it is circulating. I mix my new saltwater the day I am going to use it and make only enough for my needs.

 

[robbrouse]

I guess what I've always worried about it a SOS water change. If some is mixed up I though (may be wrong why I asked) to have some on hand.

 

[AZDesertRat]

It does not hurt to mix water up immediately before using it as long as the pH, salinity and temperature approximate what you already have in your display. I can make up 30 gallons in about 15 minutes if needed since I keep 20 gallons of RO/DI in my ATO storage and five 5G capped jugs in the garage at all times. Todays salts mix up very quickly.

 

[robbrouse]

While we are on the subject what brand of salt do you use? Looking to switch from Oceanic's.

 

[AZDesertRat]

I actually like Oceanic myself. I've tried IO, IORC, Red Sea, Ocean Pure and others I don't remember but keep coming back to Oceanic. It mixes instantly with no cloudiness and the high calcium offsets the alkalinity of my calcium reactor so very stable. I have two brand new unopened 200G buckets at home now.

 

[robbrouse]

Maybe if I mixed up smaller amounts. I mix 25 gallons at a time and it take about 2 hours to get clear.. I have a maxi jet 1200 mixing the salt... Might have to try 10 gallons next time.

 

[AZDesertRat]

How do you mix it?
I add my 20-25 gallons of RO/DI to my Rubbermaid can, stick a couple old powerheads or a Mag 9 pump in the water and get it circulating then slowly add the salt a cup at a time so it dissolves immediately without even any stirring. It never even hits the bottom it dissolves so fast when added slowly. Some people dump the salt in the bottom then add the water and it sometimes flashes or gets very cloudy due to the exothermic reaction I think it is called.

 

[bigredneck]

I don't keep mixed saltwater for more than a day or two myself, I find it gets slimy and starts to smell after tha even if it is circulating. I mix my new saltwater the day I am going to use it and make only enough for my needs.

+1 I mix mine the night before


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[robbrouse]

Figure out our much water I'm making and add it to a container and then slowly dump it in.. Maybe 2 or 3 cups at a time. Have a maxi jet 1200 mixing the water. When it clouds up I stop and wait.. Maybe I don't have enough power head to move the water.

 

[falconut]

I have a few container of RO/DI water around the house that I've been using for top off, filling the kalk reactor, storage, water changes and a reptile mister. Haven't had any issues to date. Agreed, I wouldn't leave mixed saltwater around too long as it tends to get debris over time.

I also use Oceanic and have been for several years. I was gonna try Instant Ocean, but they were out both times I was gonna buy it, so I jsut stuck with Oceanic.

 

[pam0630]

i always make my saltwater mix for my water changes a week ahead..i was always told never to use salt water mixed the same day...all the salt never dissolves all the way..burn your corals.........thats what ive been told...i keep the mixed water in the house...ac so not hot...my water outside on my patio is just plain r/o water with a pump in the trash can to keep water moving.............

 

[falconut]

I usually mix mine the day/night before doing the water change. I have mixed some a few hours before, but only use it once it's completely dissolved and clear.

 

[robbrouse]

Lots of good info here. I try to mixed mine several days in advance. Is this wrong?

 

[AZDesertRat]

Some salts recommend using it within a couple hours unlike how it used to be. A fellow reef enthusiast FutureDoc, recently did some pretty detailed testing after another thread talking about using it immediately or letting it mix for 24 hours or longer and found it made no difference. He used some pretty good meters and probes and dataloggers to monitor salinity, pH and what all and contrary to popular belief the pH was steady almost immediately. Today I think its more a myth than anything. I have used my newly mixed saltwater for over 30 years and never once had an issue myself, but I do try to match temperature, salinity and pH before using it to keep things stable.