saltwater question...

[tankaholic]

We buy our water (saltwater and rodi) from local fish store.
We take in multiple 5 gallon buckets.
So my question is how long would the water be good for?
just using Walmart buckets and lids...not circulating the buckets.

thanks in advance

 

[FishOfHex]

We buy our water (saltwater and rodi) from local fish store.
We take in multiple 5 gallon buckets.
So my question is how long would the water be good for?
just using Walmart buckets and lids...not circulating the buckets.

thanks in advance

It should be fine for a while keep it covered and out of direct sun light. Also I recommend you look into an RO/di system you will save alot of money in the long run. Ebay has great ones and you can add DI for under $20. If you have any other questions feel free to contact me. best of luck!

 

[PatW]

You can get an RODI from Spectrapure or BRS for around $100. They quickly pay for themselves. You control the water quality. And you do not have to carry around 5 gallon buckets. Oh for storage, you can store RODI or mixed salt water in a Brute trash can. Brute trash cans are food grade. You can even get wheels for them.

 

[Downbeach]

I would agree that getting a good RO/DI unit would be in your best interest. As far as keeping pre-made ASW, as long as it doesn't have any type of organics in it, it should be fine. If it does, like in some salt mixes, i.e. Reef Crystals, Red Sea Pro, etc., you should keep it aerated to help prevent development of hydrogen sulfide.

 

[jsker]

We buy our water (saltwater and rodi) from local fish store.
We take in multiple 5 gallon buckets.
So my question is how long would the water be good for?
just using Walmart buckets and lids...not circulating the buckets.

thanks in advance

I would say about two weeks and long as you store the water in all of the above posts. Also if you are going to store the water make sure were to store the water is in a temperature controlled environment. I agree with @Downbeach @PatW @FishOfHex get a Ro/DI filter. I live 5 minutes away for the LFS and I found it to be a hassle getting water twice a week. I also would not go cheap in the RO/DI either. Look for a 75 to 100 GPD. I went the cheap rout and ended up spending more buying two filters then just purchasing a good one. Also you have Reef A Palooza next weekend in Orlando and there will be some really good deals of filters, at least there was last year and I would suspect there will be again this year.

 

[tankaholic]

I'm looking into a Rodi system thinking about the one brs used in their 52 weeks of reefing.
I have three 5 gallon buckets from easter. None of the buckets have had any circulation. My step son put them in his closet. He was hoping the Easter bunny was bringing him a biocube...lol
Have to go to wally world today so will grab a brute can.
I think my Lfs uses the orange box salt.

 

[tankaholic]

Oh and none was in direct sun light...just stacked up in dining room corner...and the few son had hidden in his closet

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I would agree that getting a good RO/DI unit would be in your best interest. As far as keeping pre-made ASW, as long as it doesn't have any type of organics in it, it should be fine. If it does, like in some salt mixes, i.e. Reef Crystals, Red Sea Pro, etc., you should keep it aerated to help prevent development of hydrogen sulfide.

how does it develop hydrogen sulfide. I understand how that is possible when dealing with organics, ie sand bed reactors liverock etc., but in a clean bucket?
please explain.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Actually I too would like real scientific quantified answer.
@Randy Holmes-Farley

Sir, How long is freshly made, mixed saltwater good for? Assuming a clean and properly sterilized rodi system and storage containers?

Salt is a preservative and "anti bacterial",(see mummies and beef jerky)
I use Natural seawater from the ocean. It contains natural nutrients, organics, bacteria and yes Plankton. There are actual photos of shrimp that have grown in 300 gallon containers here to nearly 1/2 in.
Ive used water from my storage from up to one month with no discernable problems. I would assume mixed Saltwater would last months if not years. like bottled water. 0 organics, 0 bacteria. Like canning fruit(yes with sugar or salt)
I would assume the only detriment to an aged mixed is the mineral additives would fall out of solution.

 

[mcarroll]

I think Randy has a post or two on the subject already. I'd paraphrase if I knew them better, but here's what I can say...

I've even stored very used (but not filthy) tank water - uncirculated, just sealed in a 5-gal bucket - for almost a year without issues.

Fresh-mixed artifical sea water can be stored equally well and also without issue. Just seal it up to keep out contaminants.

Same applies to RODI, but double-down on the sealing it up... Ultrapure water will suck impurities out of the air! But storage will not hurt it.

• Don't heat your water.
• Don't run a pump in your water.
  • It's unnecessary.
  • And depending on which water you're talking about, it can actually hurt your water. (Will leave that to Randy's explanation though.)

Having said all that, it's best to mix and use your saltwater as needed. Takes only 5 minutes to mix.

At least some salt mixes have vitamins and other useful additives that will break down within a week or two once mixed. Won't hurt the stored water, but the add-ins you paid for won't be there anymore.