I think I used stagnant Saltwater for a water change. Is this bad?

dom418 · 08/18/2012, 09:45 PM

Recently I have seen a slow increase in my ammonia levels and the only thing I have done recently is do 10% water changes per week as compared to monthly. Because of this I premix the ro water in a garbage can and once it's mixed it remove the power head and the water sits for a week with no movement. Today I noticed it smelled a little like rotten fish food but it was clear still. My question is could using this water be responsible for my sudden ammonia levels? I heard this lowers ph which impacts ammonia levels.

Tank has been set up for 4 months. 150g with 200lbs of LR and only livestock is 4" trigger and puffer. Any ideas why the sudden ammonia? My puffer stopped eating and this is what lead to my discovery

fishyguy7 · 08/19/2012, 12:08 AM

I would recommend leaving the powerhead in you mixing vat anytime you have saltwater in it

jrsydevi1 · 08/19/2012, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dom418

Today I noticed it smelled a little like rotten fish food but it was clear still.

Nothing that smells like rotten fish should EVER be added to your tank.. something is amiss there..

bongarone · 08/19/2012, 01:51 AM

Something's growing in there. Probably bacteria.

jrsydevi1 · 08/19/2012, 07:39 AM

Did you test that stinky water for ammonia?

thegrun · 08/19/2012, 08:24 AM

While most salt mixes can be stored indefinitely in a covered container without water movement, some mixes contain organics like amino acids that are not good left stored. I suspect either contamination of your storage bin or your salt mix has organics in it that are decomposing.

dom418 · 08/19/2012, 08:24 AM

No but my DT is positive for ammonia so the only new variable is the water I have been using for water changes. I'm afraid I may be adding ammonia water when I do changes and hence my problem. I'm going to do a water change with fresh water today and retest

Dapg8gt · 08/19/2012, 08:45 AM

Did you check the mixed water? That would answer your question right away. And I would get rid of that pre mix if it has a bad smell. But IMO a week is not that long of a time for storage and it could be the container or something got in the water..

Sk8r · 08/19/2012, 10:45 AM

SHouldn't be a problem. I just used some from an open bucket that's about 6 weeks old and a bit evaporated---but I keep that area clean of volatiles, cleaners, air fresheners, etc. OTOH, every water container can start growing bacteria, and if you have ANY ammonia showing, something was wrong with that water---or IS wrong in your tank. Don't assume it's the just-added water. CHeck all possibilities, like an old filter sponge, forgotten carbon sock, or something dead.

08/18/2012, 09:45 PM	#1
dom418 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Algonquin, IL Posts: 257	I think I used stagnant Saltwater for a water change. Is this bad? Recently I have seen a slow increase in my ammonia levels and the only thing I have done recently is do 10% water changes per week as compared to monthly. Because of this I premix the ro water in a garbage can and once it's mixed it remove the power head and the water sits for a week with no movement. Today I noticed it smelled a little like rotten fish food but it was clear still. My question is could using this water be responsible for my sudden ammonia levels? I heard this lowers ph which impacts ammonia levels. Tank has been set up for 4 months. 150g with 200lbs of LR and only livestock is 4" trigger and puffer. Any ideas why the sudden ammonia? My puffer stopped eating and this is what lead to my discovery

08/19/2012, 07:39 AM	#5
jrsydevi1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 266	Did you test that stinky water for ammonia? __________________ Aqueon 8 Nano Reef - Stock lighting + 8W LED - DIY Protein Skimmer - Floss and Purigen 8 lbs. Live Rock - 5 lbs. Live Sand 1 Pom Pom Crab - 2 Blue-leg Hermits - 1 Astrea Snail - 5 Nass. snails Torch coral - Frogspawn - 6 Tiny Zoa Frags - 6 shrooms - 2 FLA Ricordias 2 Little Oc. Clownfish

08/19/2012, 08:45 AM	#8
Dapg8gt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Pacifica Posts: 3,741	Did you check the mixed water? That would answer your question right away. And I would get rid of that pre mix if it has a bad smell. But IMO a week is not that long of a time for storage and it could be the container or something got in the water.. __________________ 15 years in the hobby yet still learning every day. 280g radium lit sps flat living in my garage rent free. Current Tank Info: 105g SPS dominant euro braced powered by 4 ecotech pumps and lit by an ATI powermodule controlled by a reef angel =).

08/19/2012, 10:45 AM	#9
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	SHouldn't be a problem. I just used some from an open bucket that's about 6 weeks old and a bit evaporated---but I keep that area clean of volatiles, cleaners, air fresheners, etc. OTOH, every water container can start growing bacteria, and if you have ANY ammonia showing, something was wrong with that water---or IS wrong in your tank. Don't assume it's the just-added water. CHeck all possibilities, like an old filter sponge, forgotten carbon sock, or something dead. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

08/19/2012, 12:08 AM	#2
fishyguy7 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Fort Collins,CO Posts: 426	I would recommend leaving the powerhead in you mixing vat anytime you have saltwater in it

08/19/2012, 01:51 AM	#4
bongarone Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: California Posts: 423	Something's growing in there. Probably bacteria.

08/19/2012, 08:24 AM	#6
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	While most salt mixes can be stored indefinitely in a covered container without water movement, some mixes contain organics like amino acids that are not good left stored. I suspect either contamination of your storage bin or your salt mix has organics in it that are decomposing.