Mixing Station - Does Salt Water Go Bad?

[Sdoutreefer]

I keep 30 gallons mixed in a Brute trashcan at all times. I use an inexpensive aquarium pump with no hoses attached to keep the water churning. When I add RO/DI and salt, the pump works as a greater mixer. The Brute prevents most light from reaching the water, so no problem with algae.

I didn't even think about using a black brute... I order white ones because my wife liked the appearance better...

 

[Sdoutreefer]

I’ve found it often gets a lil algae in it; even in opaque white or orange buckets…
…anyway, while we are at it, those wanting more effective/faster mixing should consider adding another powerhead in lieu of the oft promoted heater…
thing is pumps alone add plenty of heat, adding another even more so…
I think BRS is selling heaters with its “mixing station” suggestions

That's a good point. The pump is definitely putting off some heat!

 

[rhitee93]

How long do you keep it?

It takes me about 5 weeks to use up the 55gal barrel. There is always a few gallons left at the end that I just mix new water on top of.

 

[Sdoutreefer]

It takes me about 5 weeks to use up the 55gal barrel. There is always a few gallons left at the end that I just mix new water on top of.

And you have zero adverse affects?

 

[rhitee93]

And you have zero adverse affects?

Well, as I said, I've only been at this for a little over a year, but I'm not having any real issues. Here is the tank a moment ago:

However, it's impossible for me to say that I would have better success if I didn't mix up 5 weeks of water at a time.

 

[twentyleagues]

I did this in the past and I do it now. In the past I had 200g of saltwater on hand did 50g wc weekly. Now I have 55g that I mix it in. Before I had no issues keeping the water at temp with a heater and flow. Now I get constant precipitation build up on my heater and pumps so the alk crashes in about a week. I have used rc for most of the time I have been reefing 99-10 and 22-now. Not sure why it changed but it has. I have moved and now have well water and I also now have a boiler for heat instead of a high *** furnace. I have checked co2 levels in the house typically around 600 in the basement no idea what it was at the other house never felt the need to check. But this could be an issue keeping salt water mixed for a period of time. Also certain salt brands cant be stored or should not be stored because of additives like the bio salts.

 

[Olefreebe]

I am limited on space so would storing it on a covered porch without temp control be ok?

 

[Pntbll687]

I would only be concerned with salt water if sitting for long periods of time. And I'd only be concerned with calcium carbonate prcipitation, and algae/bacterial growth of the water sits stagnant for a long period of time.

If you're using it within a week or month, no worries, just check salinity to make sure there wasn't too much evap to where it changed the saltiness

 

[Pntbll687]

I am limited on space so would storing it on a covered porch without temp control be ok?

depends on the temp outside. The colder the water gets, the more salt you can mix into the water so salinity may be affected when testing it. But I wouldn't worry about it if it's just being stored, only if you would want to use it quickly

 

[Sdoutreefer]

Well, as I said, I've only been at this for a little over a year, but I'm not having any real issues. Here is the tank a moment ago:

However, it's impossible for me to say that I would have better success if I didn't mix up 5 weeks of water at a time.

Whatever you're doing is working for you! Love your tank

 

[Sdoutreefer]

I am limited on space so would storing it on a covered porch without temp control be ok?

As long as you're not hitting cold temps. I live in Idaho where we get lots of freezing temps, so i'd have to use a heater.

 

[Sdoutreefer]

I would only be concerned with salt water if sitting for long periods of time. And I'd only be concerned with calcium carbonate prcipitation, and algae/bacterial growth of the water sits stagnant for a long period of time.

If you're using it within a week or month, no worries, just check salinity to make sure there wasn't too much evap to where it changed the saltiness

That is really my big concern too. I don't plan to keep it any longer than a month. It is just becoming inefficient to mix 5-10 gallons at a time. It's getting a bit tougher to do my weekly WCs and Urgent WCs with toddlers

Realistically would be keeping water for 2-3 weeks.

 

[threebuoys]

I am limited on space so would storing it on a covered porch without temp control be ok?

My brute is on a covered deck. I keep a regular aquarium heater in it during the winter just so the temperature will be close to the same as the tank's temperature.

 

[threebuoys]

That is really my big concern too. I don't plan to keep it any longer than a month. It is just becoming inefficient to mix 5-10 gallons at a time. It's getting a bit tougher to do my weekly WCs and Urgent WCs with toddlers

Realistically would be keeping water for 2-3 weeks.

I don't worry about precipitation, but I would be concerned if algae became a problem. As others have indicated, after I use more than half the volume from the mixing tank, I refill with RO/DI and salt. I haven't completely emptied the mixing tank in 4 years, but I do examine when I refill just to be sure nothing funky is happening.

 

[Sdoutreefer]

I don't worry about precipitation, but I would be concerned if algae became a problem. As others have indicated, after I use more than half the volume from the mixing tank, I refill with RO/DI and salt. I haven't completely emptied the mixing tank in 4 years, but I do examine when I refill just to be sure nothing funky is happening.

That makes sense. Thanks for the feedback

 

[Dburr1014]

I mix with no heater and it sits for up to two weeks.

If I'm going to a coral show or know I'm getting a fish, I keep my water change water in 6 gallons pails up to 2 months sometimes.

I have been lazy and never emptied an old qt tank for months to find I acquired a new fish. Heated it, added rodi cuz it was very salty, and used it. Yes the fish survived. I'm not proud.

 

[Scottiemac]

Saltwater sitting in a plastic container will go bad eventually, but if it's a 50g container that you're using within a month or so then you're fine. If it's in that container for a year the plastic may start leaching chemicals into the water.

I have a 50g container in the basement that I was going to use for water changes but never did. It's been there for over a year and I can smell the plastic in the water.

 

[areefer01]

Saltwater sitting in a plastic container will go bad eventually, but if it's a 50g container that you're using within a month or so then you're fine. If it's in that container for a year the plastic may start leaching chemicals into the water.

Maybe, maybe not. Easy enough to solve with food grade containers. 44 gallon brute is one of the more popular in our hobby. Gray but double check.

And the end of the day you can do a search here or whatever search engine you prefer and put in saltwater mixing stations. You will see plenty of examples with hobbyist storing water for auto changes and emergency use.

 

[VintageReefer]

Hello! I am debating on setting up a more efficient mixing station for my saltwater. Currently, I just mix a 5 gallon bucket at a time for my WCs. This is becoming a pain and I am wanting to mix larger batches all at once.

My question is, will the saltwater go bad? I will do about 20gallons at one time. I plan to keep it circulating and heated.

I hope not cause 90% of my water has been mixing in my tank for 10 years

 

[Sdoutreefer]

I hope not cause 90% of my water has been mixing in my tank for 10 years