skyfish

Hey guys I am new to marine/saltwater aquariums and I have a question that could hopfully be answered. I was wondering if I make a saltwater mix in a 55 gallon trashcan dedicated only to the aquarium for water changes and such. How long would I be able to use it before it is no longer usefulle or will it always be useful?

Dirkdaplr

Is your question how long will you be able to use the trash can or pre mixed water or mix that is dry? The trash can should be good for a very long time years pre mixed water should be good for a few weeks if properly stored air tight no contaminents and the salt mix baring any moisture contamination etc for 2 to three years at least. Of course all is IMO but all reflects my experience of several years

skyfish

Yes I was actually referring to the saltwater mix with the salt and water in the trash can. I want to have a mix already prepared for when have to do any water changes. Properly heated and with all necessary additives in it with it having time to stablize and all i have to do is pour it in when needed. In anyones opinion is this a good idea or..do u think instead of using a 55 gallon i should use a smaller trash can. Note i have a 75 gallon aquarium.

Dirkdaplr

Fresh water is always best IMO especially over a long period of time but your theory is sound give it a try let me know how it works

locoyo386

You will be fine, just one thing to keep in mind "evaporation". Just keep track of that since it will cange your salinity level.

skyfish

Alright thanks evaporation shouldn't be much of a problem sinCe ill have a air tight lid on the trash can but ill still check parameters to make sure everything checls out.

Nate41590

is it necessary for salt water to age? because i just mix mine up and add it to the tank and i have been having problems getting my tank's pH to even 8.0

Dirkdaplr

what do you have in your tank is the fresh salt water not measuring right or the main tank? What are your tank params? Need a little more info to help

Omgami

Interesting discussion. I asked the same question at my local saltwater store and they said the saltwater would last 6 months with a powerhead and heater in a closed trash can. I was told that I should mix my saltwater and let it age 24 hours prior to adding it to my tank. I buy R/O water in 5 gallon containers and take it home and add the water and salt to my 33 gallon trash can with the powerhead and heater. I'm new to SW so this discussion is helpful, always looking for tips. I have a 29 gal sw with a pair of seahorses, 23 lbs of live rock and a clean up crew. I just got a 36 gal BF Sw tank with an eel and 4 damsels and 30 lbs of live rock.

locoyo386

Hi there,
From what I know about what it is in salt mixes, there is no reason to believe they can only last 6 months as mixed water. I am almost sure that everything in the saltwater has a half life of way longer than that.

The freshly mixed water can be used almost imidiately, but it depends on the mix. Also note that salt mix has to disolve completely in the water before it can be use. This is why it is recomended to let it mix with a powerhead for 24 hours (over night is fine) before using it. Once the water has mixed, the pH can be checked. Usually it is around 8.4 or so. After it is placed in the tank, if it is not well circulated or the gas exhanged is not happening quickly (meaning that the tank is closed) it can lead to low pH. I have noticed that in all my tanks the pH is always at 7.8. I am not a fan of trying to fix something that is not brocken. What I mean is that I have not had any issues with the low pH, thus I choose to leave it as is.

Water can be in a container that has circulation indefinetly. I see no reason to believe otherwise. If someone knows someting I am missing please let me know.

Nate41590

I have a 90 Gallon, with 90lbs of live sand and live rock. with 3 damsels and a pepermint shrimp. My tank is turned over about 22 times an hour so the circulation is obviously sufficient. Im using instant ocean mix. I havent tested it right after i mix it. I will def, do that though. I recently moved one of my powerheads toward the surface, to agitate it more, i havent tested it for a few days. I was gonna wait a week, which would be friday.

Stang Man

In answer to your first question A mixture of salt will be good as long as you continue circulating water with a power head and submersible heater. It will last for weeks if you let it flow with a power head at a high rate! What happens when you do it this way is that all gases are released this is the best way to do water changes for reef tanks and i believe as well as fish too! That's how i do my tanks and should be the same way for all! As soon as you use up water rinse garbage can well with hose of fresh water and turn upside down and let totally dry.I f not salt will build up in can and build up salts and eventually eat thru plastic of can and bleed into your tank totally not good1 This is a very good practice keep it up!

locoyo386

Note that the heater is only needed of you want to maintain the same temperature as the display tank. The heater is not needed and the water will not go bad if there is not heater.

Not sure what you mean, but I do think that only applies to the diplay tank and not the tank were the saltwater is being mixed.

Stang Man

With out proper temps salinity levels will fluctuate at different temps

locoyo386

The salinity of the water does not change, what you use to read the salinity has to be temperature compensated to read the proper salinity. Meaning the salt level in the tank is the same no matter at what temperature it is. The equipment used has to be calibrated for the temperature of the water to be able to read the salinity correctly (solubility of salt depends on temperature). Thus it is easier to have the slatwater at the room temperature before measuring the salinity. Even better if it is at the temperature of the tank.

Stang Man

Dude have you tested this theory! Come on man do some test try it you will see what I'm saying here it's been proven thru chemist and biologist that this really does happen! I have tested this thru many tests and does matter between the temps of 68-84 degrees which all again has to do with what you are holding in your tank. Or what corals or fish different fish require different salinity to survive a long period of time so do corals and any other crature in our oceans. Not ever life in this olanet has the same qualities that ther being holds.

locoyo386

What is the salinity in spefic gravity measured with a refractometer that has temperature compensation for the following values;
68 degrees farenheight =
76 degrees farenheight =
84 degrees farenheight =

Stang Man

I wasn't talking about refractometers these devices are auto calibration but you have to let set awhilie accuatually I was talking about glass and dial devices refracs are quite different depends on gravity measures at 35ppt and using those types of devices will show differently other than the more common types that people use but here again in order to be sucessful and have freinds for your tank it's best to find out more on gravity levels for your interest as knowing what temps? what salinity? do they come from see people usally just go to the store and buy a fish or what ever bring it home and most likely don't even have a clue as where they come from or what part of the ocean they come from all oceans have varible tolerences so being this said yes temps and salinity have varible tolerences and I know for a fact that glass and dial devices will show different readings.

locoyo386

I do not understand what your point is. You made the comment "With out proper temps salinity levels will fluctuate at different temps", what does that have to do with what device you use to measure the salinity? If the temperature of the tank is not the same, and thus the slinity will flactuate, shouldn't the refactometer, hydrometer or any other device detect the salinity varience?

Note that they are not showing different salnity, they are showing in accurate readings due to the tempeature difference. The salinuty is still the same, but the salubility changes with temperature. The hotter the water the more soluable is the salt.