Emergency Water Storage Questions

fio1022 · 12/27/2006, 05:55 PM

I'm looking to store some water for emergency use.
Questions...
This water will be stored for long periods at a time(I hope).Is it better to store it as pure water or mixed with salt?
I'd like to seal the bucket and not worry about untill needed.

I was also thinking of taking some water change water for the same purpose but don't think its a good idea.
Any pros and cons?

bertoni · 12/27/2006, 08:00 PM

The water can be stored either way, as long as it's not allowed to get too cold. If the water might freeze, I'd store it without the salt.

Water from changes would hold organics, and might undergo anaerobic decay, which could be a problem.

fio1022 · 12/27/2006, 08:20 PM

I'm planning on storing it in my basement which gets pretty cold in the winter.
Wouldn't the salt lower the freezing point?

bertoni · 12/27/2006, 08:22 PM

Salt lowers the freezing point, but fresh water often freezes out of saltwater, leaving more concentrated saltwater behind. That's my understanding, anyway.

12/27/2006, 05:55 PM	#1
fio1022 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: NY Posts: 1,557	Emergency Water Storage Questions I'm looking to store some water for emergency use. Questions... This water will be stored for long periods at a time(I hope).Is it better to store it as pure water or mixed with salt? I'd like to seal the bucket and not worry about untill needed. I was also thinking of taking some water change water for the same purpose but don't think its a good idea. Any pros and cons? __________________ its all about time,space,and money Current Tank Info: 240g,64g acrylic sump/fuge.

12/27/2006, 08:00 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	The water can be stored either way, as long as it's not allowed to get too cold. If the water might freeze, I'd store it without the salt. Water from changes would hold organics, and might undergo anaerobic decay, which could be a problem. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

12/27/2006, 08:20 PM	#3
fio1022 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: NY Posts: 1,557	I'm planning on storing it in my basement which gets pretty cold in the winter. Wouldn't the salt lower the freezing point? __________________ its all about time,space,and money Current Tank Info: 240g,64g acrylic sump/fuge.

12/27/2006, 08:22 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Salt lowers the freezing point, but fresh water often freezes out of saltwater, leaving more concentrated saltwater behind. That's my understanding, anyway. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni