Water storage

Cranstons12 · Sep 16, 2022

I just got 4,5 gallon buckets of saltwater from my local store,how long can they sit? Do i need a powerhead in each bucket? I dont really have the room for a 40 gallon trash can. Can i leave them in the buckets with no powerhead?

gbroadbridge · Sep 16, 2022

Cranstons12 said:
I just got 4,5 gallon buckets of saltwater from my local store,how long can they sit? Do i need a powerhead in each bucket? I dont really have the room for a 40 gallon trash can. Can i leave them in the buckets with no powerhead?

It depends on the source of the saltwater.

if natural seawater that has been sterilized, it will be fine for at least a month.

If made from a high Alk salt mix, it will degrade after a week or so.

If made from a probiotic mix, it needs to be used immediately.

Cranstons12 · Sep 16, 2022

gbroadbridge said:
It depends on the source of the saltwater.

if natural seawater that has been sterilized, it will be fine for at least a month.

If made from a high Alk salt mix, it will degrade after a week or so.

If made from a probiotic mix, it needs to be used immediately.

Im new to saltwater lol ive only gotten RO/DI water but my salinity is low so i got saltwater and salt to mix it in with. Thats what the guy recommended. He said nothing about how to store the water that im not using to mix salt yet

Mikedawg · Sep 16, 2022

Depending on water change volume (5-10 gallons) you could consider mixing some up on an as needed basis in the containers you already have. RedSea recommends mixing until solution is clear, usually less than an hour.
Don't think ro/di water degrades over time and you can keep it in containers you have. Might want to price out an ro/di unit which will probably save you money in the long run

Cranstons12 · Sep 16, 2022

Mikedawg said:
Depending on water change volume (5-10 gallons) you could consider mixing some up on an as needed basis in the containers you already have. RedSea recommends mixing until solution is clear, usually less than an hour.

My water changes range from 5-10 gallons every other week. I have the instant ocean salt mix( guy recommended) he said to put a powerhead in and let it mix for about 6 hours before i put it in my tank

Mikedawg · Sep 16, 2022

Cranstons12 said:
My water changes range from 5-10 gallons every other week. I have the instant ocean salt mix( guy recommended) he said to put a powerhead in and let it mix for about 6 hours before i put it in my tank

Perfect, just mix up as needed and use a good refractometer to measure salinity.

Cranstons12 · Sep 16, 2022

Mikedawg said:
Perfect, just mix up as needed and use a good refractometer to measure salinity.

What should i do with the remaining buckets of saltwater im not using atm?

Koigula · Sep 16, 2022

I use to use Tropic Marin and a very good salt, but honestly if you are doing less than 10% water changes on healthy tank Reef Crystals is no different. Covid shortages pushed the issue as I saw some proudly hording.

I make up one 50 gallon bag in a Norwesco tall cylinder storage tank. It makes actual 42 gallons at 1.026 density. I stir for 24 hours and change 20 gallons in 250 gallon sytem. Next week I use up the rest. I always leave tank a little dirty but siphhon off detritus gradually. Chewy sells 200 gallon boxes cheap at less than half price of 200 TM Pro! I just saw no benefit form expensive Eu salts and "50" gallon bags are premeasured to go to 42 gallon sharpie line I made.

Cleaning tank is done once or twice a year with vinegar and peroxide stired for two day and tiple rinced with DI. Values are all a little bit high. My alway goes from ~150 ppm as CaCO3 to ~155 ppm as CaCO3 and MG and CA area bit high as old school salt mix.

I see no issues storing 1-2 weeks as alk may buffer down a bit. A bio sponge filter in tank with power as reports of trace ammonia is salt have been thrown around. The youtube podcast will snob it.