Storing salt water

Nick1019 · Mar 3, 2019

Hello all!!

Does anyone know which salt mix is best used to store mixed salt water for automatic water changes? I have a 75 gallon storage tank that is part of my mixing station. Wanted to make salt water in advance and hold it for automatic water change system.
Thanks in advance.

James M · Mar 3, 2019

Welcome to reef2reef !!
There is no “best” salt. What salt are you using now ? IO is the cheapest and can be stored

Brad Miller · Mar 3, 2019

Welcome to R2R Nick...
As long as you keep it from precipitating out, the salt your currently using should be just fine

rkpetersen · Mar 3, 2019

For long term storage, try not to use alk/calcium/magnesium 'boosted' salts, as those components can precipitate out with time, and such salts are generally meant to be mixed and used quickly.

Also welcome to R2R!

Instigate · Mar 3, 2019

Also avoid the ones with organics such has probiotics.

Burrito · Mar 3, 2019

So what does precipitated saltwater look like? How would one know?

Instigate · Mar 3, 2019

Burrito said:
So what does precipitated saltwater look like? How would one know?

Usually you wont see a visual difference, you will see by testing that the Alk has dropped. I have also had it where there are little white particles floating on the water surface and that was chalked up to precipitation.

geddavis · Mar 3, 2019

I've used coral pro in a 50-gallon storage tank for 2 months with no problem

Mastiffsrule · Mar 3, 2019

James M said:
Welcome to reef2reef !!
There is no “best” salt. What salt are you using now ? IO is the cheapest and can be stored

Welcome.

The best salt is a hot topic. I used tropic Marin for a long time but it was crazy expensive. Switched to IO and no noticeable changes

RMS18 · Mar 3, 2019

I can confirm HW Marinemix does not hold alk well. I have not tested daily to find the drop off period, but I can tell you 5 days is to long. When mixed alk is at 9dkh at 34ppm salinity. After 5 days alk drops to 6dkh. A heater and a 1500gph Power head is being used.

Nick1019 · Mar 3, 2019

Thanks for the responses. I understand that you have to avoid precipitation, but is there a brand that’s better than another? I know BRSTV had talked about doing an investigated video on this, but I haven’t found it. I have used Red Sea Pro in the past and it doesnt seem to hold that long without separating. Any thoughts?

Sashaka · Mar 3, 2019

Welcome to R2R!

Just for comparison... I use Instant Ocean and Instant Ocean Crystals in a Brute can with RODI water, powerhead, and heater. I mix a new batch every Saturday and add PH Buffer just before water change the following Sat. The 180 gal tank never seems to change ph before, between, or after water changes. The 29 gal and 29 gal BioCube need to be monitored a few days after a water change as the ph will sometimes drop suddenly and need more buffer.

Ph is a complex issue and can be caused by multiple reasons. Here's a good read to get an idea of how to recognize and manage ph issues: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/ph-and-the-reef-aquarium.7/

Another read I think is helpful: http://www.melevsreef.com/articles/dont-chase-the-ph

Burrito · Mar 3, 2019

So how are people storing salt in giant containers, even brute and keep the “good stuff” in ? I use a 30g brute to mix fritz and probably consume the 30g in about 2 week.

I’ll test my alk tomorrow since it’s been about a week since I mixed it to 1.026

K-Philly · Mar 4, 2019

Sashaka said:
Welcome to R2R!

Just for comparison... I use Instant Ocean and Instant Ocean Crystals in a Brute can with RODI water, powerhead, and heater. I mix a new batch every Saturday and add PH Buffer just before water change the following Sat. The 180 gal tank never seems to change ph before, between, or after water changes. The 29 gal and 29 gal BioCube need to be monitored a few days after a water change as the ph will sometimes drop suddenly and need more buffer.

Ph is a complex issue and can be caused by multiple reasons. Here's a good read to get an idea of how to recognize and manage ph issues: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/ph-and-the-reef-aquarium.7/

Another read I think is helpful: http://www.melevsreef.com/articles/dont-chase-the-ph

^Boom^ In my honest opinion, I think adequate flow is pretty much the key. Not to strong though, just get it moving around. Normally, but it varies per person, our tanks run close to our homes natural temp, except for obvious reasons such as like summer here in the deep south. If the high humidity does not make your lungs feel like they are heavier than concrete, then the scorching heat will be sure to cook you alive. Actually, adequate flow helps keep the temp down some too, in order to combat evaporation. It helps keep it aerated and cooler, which is why the flowing part of rivers and streams are much cooler than the stagnant part. I would like to think evaporation is usually the culprit behind the swings of parameters in stored water. However, I could be wrong. I wouldn't be surprised if there could be some strange chemical leach happening depending on what we are using as our storage unit.

Question for others and the OP, but are we talking about storing fresh made seawater for a system already running? Or are we trying to pick a salt? Because if there is an existing system then why wouldn't we stick with the same brand? Personally, I would be to nervous to mix brands. I could see how that could cause a swing in pH in the main system. The only way I would do this is if I found a significant reason to change the brand of salt I am running in my DT, and then I would slowly convert it in increments, as much as possible over a duration of time.

Lou Ekus · Mar 4, 2019

Mastiffsrule said:
Welcome.

The best salt is a hot topic. I used tropic Marin for a long time but it was crazy expensive. Switched to IO and no noticeable changes

Maybe not as crazy expensive as it seems!
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/w...llons-does-it-make-brstv-investigates.555311/

Burrito · Mar 5, 2019

Burrito said:
So how are people storing salt in giant containers, even brute and keep the “good stuff” in ? I use a 30g brute to mix fritz and probably consume the 30g in about 2 week.

I’ll test my alk tomorrow since it’s been about a week since I mixed it to 1.026

So my fritz rpm stored about 2 weeks now is at 8.3dkh, it states 8-9 fresh mixed so it’s within range of “fresh mixed”. Ill try to remember to test on my next mixing batch.

Mastiffsrule · Mar 5, 2019

Lou Ekus said:
Maybe not as crazy expensive as it seems!
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/w...llons-does-it-make-brstv-investigates.555311/

I actually read when it posted and saw how it basically yielded similar. I think it is great product and going back to it soon myself. I apologize, maybe should have said initial price is high compared to others if you just purely look at price.

Definitely worth it for sure though.

Brad Miller · Mar 8, 2019

BRS just posted this study done on all salts and whether they drop in calcium or alkalinity when stored mixed, up to a 3 week time frame, thought it would go good with this thread as the results were as I was always under the impression of....pretty interesting.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vide...662505957146380633025305312423877866087111270