Can I store fresh salt water?

Glimmerman911 · 03/04/2010, 01:53 PM

I am planning my new tank, and am thinking of running my RODI unit into a 45 gallon sealed plastic drum.

Could I make up 40 gallons of salt water at a time, and only pump out the 8 gallons or so I need per water change? Or is there a drawback from mixing it up and leaving it for up to a month?

Neko · 03/04/2010, 02:00 PM

From what I've been told in my questions you can keep the salt water around. They said to just be sure it's moving with a powerhead or airator.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1804085 if you want to read the post

Glimmerman911 · 03/04/2010, 02:02 PM

Ok good stuff.
I'll have a powerhead and heater in there.

tecsavi · 03/04/2010, 02:14 PM

I agree with Neko, no problems as long as you keep a powerhead in there. I use to also keep a heater in there as well just in case. I used a heavy duty brute trashcan with a lid on it full at all times. You might want to reconsider using the barrel, a brute can is much more functional and easy to access for cleaning. Not only do you have a supply of water in case you have to do an emergency water change you also have an emergency tank in case you need to move inhabitants out of the display (cracked tank...etc.)

Glimmerman911 · 03/04/2010, 02:17 PM

Thanks for the tip, will pick up a couple of Brutes then.

C-Russ · 03/04/2010, 02:48 PM

+1

Quote:

Originally Posted by tecsavi

not only do you have a supply of water in case you have to do an emergency water change you also have an emergency tank in case you need to move inhabitants out of the display (cracked tank...etc.)

Randy Holmes-Farley · 03/04/2010, 03:00 PM

If the mix does not contain organics which can possibly degrade and drive the water anaerobic, (some have vitamins, etc), then it need not be aerated or stirred after the initial mixing.

I store Instant Ocean unstirred in a closed reservoir (Brute trash cans).

03/04/2010, 01:53 PM	#1
Glimmerman911 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 246	Can I store fresh salt water? I am planning my new tank, and am thinking of running my RODI unit into a 45 gallon sealed plastic drum. Could I make up 40 gallons of salt water at a time, and only pump out the 8 gallons or so I need per water change? Or is there a drawback from mixing it up and leaving it for up to a month? __________________ Getting back into the hobby Planning for a 50-75 gallon tank

03/04/2010, 02:00 PM	#2
Neko Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Dyess AFB, TX Posts: 67	From what I've been told in my questions you can keep the salt water around. They said to just be sure it's moving with a powerhead or airator. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1804085 if you want to read the post __________________ "Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth / And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings" -"High Flight" John Gillespie Magee, Jr

03/04/2010, 02:02 PM	#3
Glimmerman911 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 246	Ok good stuff. I'll have a powerhead and heater in there. __________________ Getting back into the hobby Planning for a 50-75 gallon tank

03/04/2010, 02:14 PM	#4
tecsavi Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Martinsburg, WV Posts: 83	I agree with Neko, no problems as long as you keep a powerhead in there. I use to also keep a heater in there as well just in case. I used a heavy duty brute trashcan with a lid on it full at all times. You might want to reconsider using the barrel, a brute can is much more functional and easy to access for cleaning. Not only do you have a supply of water in case you have to do an emergency water change you also have an emergency tank in case you need to move inhabitants out of the display (cracked tank...etc.) __________________ SPS Reef 49 Gallon Marineland cube Sunpod 250w Phoenix 14K with 2 Ecoxotic stunners Remora Pro Skimmer

03/04/2010, 02:17 PM	#5
Glimmerman911 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 246	Thanks for the tip, will pick up a couple of Brutes then. __________________ Getting back into the hobby Planning for a 50-75 gallon tank

03/04/2010, 03:00 PM	#7
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	If the mix does not contain organics which can possibly degrade and drive the water anaerobic, (some have vitamins, etc), then it need not be aerated or stirred after the initial mixing. I store Instant Ocean unstirred in a closed reservoir (Brute trash cans). __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef