storing water

woogy · 08/30/2008, 11:14 AM

Sometimes I have some left over water after I do water changes. Is this ok to store? The last batch I made I just put the lid over it and was going to add some more to it. Does this cause stuff to leak out into it and will it affect the trace elements?

seapug · 08/30/2008, 11:31 AM

yes indeed. It can be argued the longer it ages the better it is. I keep a 30 gallon brute trashcan filled and circulating with a powerhead and heater at all times. I do weekly 10 gallon water changes and replace what I use over the week so I'm always mixing the new ten gallons in 20 gallons of old water.

woogy · 08/30/2008, 11:37 AM

is it ok not to keep the water circulated?

crvz · 08/30/2008, 11:53 AM

if it's salt water, I'd keep it circulated (cheap maxijet 400 or something). just RO/DI and I would leave it alone.

Rae C. · 08/30/2008, 12:50 PM

I found my pre-mixed saltwater in the brute can developed some sort of bacterial slime and really smelled bad after a week or so. It was because I wasn't circulating it. After cleaning the brute can thoroughly, I mixed salt water again, kept the MJ running in it, and it kept fine. I only put the heater in the night before a water change. I know I'm only saving pennies in electricity that way, but every penny counts.

tspors · 08/30/2008, 05:07 PM

I have a 32 Gal Rubber maid in basement. I have a magnum 350 running to circulate. I fill with RO/DI water use it top off. Day before water change I mix up salt. Do 15g change in my 150 every Sunday (my church) then turn back on RO/DI. Salinty drops so I can use for top off during week. Salinity in tank stay at 1.025. Storing water would be ok for a week if it is stagnant and covered. Longer if you have movement.

Landon B. · 08/30/2008, 08:31 PM

I always keep my water circulating, use it as I need it and then top it off and add more salt. Never had any problems.

Flipper62 · 08/30/2008, 11:14 PM

Just My Opinion........I only make my RO/DI water a day or two before my water change. I always check the TDS of my RO/DI water before any top off or a water change. I just always found that if the water is a few days old....the TDS will change

Also, it is best to have your new water for your water change is to have it mix for at least 12 hours or so.... Also this will airate the water with oxygen.....& all will be good

Randy Holmes-Farley · 08/31/2008, 10:40 AM

I found my pre-mixed saltwater in the brute can developed some sort of bacterial slime and really smelled bad after a week or so. It was because I wasn't circulating it.

What salt mix? Some like Reef Crystals contain organics in the form of vitamins and such that cna be consumed by bacteria and may make the water anaerobic if not stirred. Others, like IO, contain no such organics, and should be fine unstirred.

Rae C. · 08/31/2008, 12:03 PM

Yep, it's Reef Crystals. Interesting.

rogergolf66 · 08/31/2008, 12:40 PM

yes interested I also use RC and have that problem.

Bruno3047 · 08/31/2008, 12:54 PM

I'll be keeping a tub of 30-35 gallons of NSW in storage for water changes, etc. I'm planning on running an air pump/box filter filled with carbon and a pad to keep it clean and aerated. An alternative would be to run a HOB-type power filter.

Any thoughts on this?

HaleMoana · 08/31/2008, 01:52 PM

I have a 55 gallon drum that I keep circulating and heated at all times. I usually keep it filled to the 35 gallon mark. I use 20 gallons weekly for water changes, then just top off with RO water and add salt.

killa268 · 08/31/2008, 02:54 PM

I had no idea that you could even re-use the water. Sounds like a good idea but do you have add stuff to it to reuse the water?

HaleMoana · 08/31/2008, 03:00 PM

^Oh, I misread the original question. Yeah, that is a good question.

So, I guess the question is... is it safe to mix your discarded water from your WC to an existing saltwater reservoir for future use? hhhmmmm... I am very interested to see the answer to this! It makes a lot of sense.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 08/31/2008, 04:47 PM

Why would you want to reuse water that you discarded due to it being undesirably contaminated/depleted?

If you do keep old tank water or NSW water, it definitely needs to be kept aerated or will rapidly become anaerobic as bacteria consume organics.

HaleMoana · 08/31/2008, 04:51 PM

^LOL... good point!!

Lawnmower Blenn · 09/01/2008, 07:38 AM

does carbon do any thing for the water or will it kill soffties sps and lps or is it good for ro water when ya store it

Randy Holmes-Farley · 09/01/2008, 07:53 AM

It is not necessary or useful on already made RO/DI water or new salt water. It also will not cause any harm in such water, unless your salt mix incorporates vitamins, in which case it will bind and remove them.

08/30/2008, 11:14 AM	#1
woogy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Western PA Posts: 986	storing water Sometimes I have some left over water after I do water changes. Is this ok to store? The last batch I made I just put the lid over it and was going to add some more to it. Does this cause stuff to leak out into it and will it affect the trace elements?

08/30/2008, 11:31 AM	#2
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	yes indeed. It can be argued the longer it ages the better it is. I keep a 30 gallon brute trashcan filled and circulating with a powerhead and heater at all times. I do weekly 10 gallon water changes and replace what I use over the week so I'm always mixing the new ten gallons in 20 gallons of old water. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

08/30/2008, 11:53 AM	#4
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	if it's salt water, I'd keep it circulated (cheap maxijet 400 or something). just RO/DI and I would leave it alone. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

08/30/2008, 12:50 PM	#5
Rae C. Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Colorado Posts: 916	I found my pre-mixed saltwater in the brute can developed some sort of bacterial slime and really smelled bad after a week or so. It was because I wasn't circulating it. After cleaning the brute can thoroughly, I mixed salt water again, kept the MJ running in it, and it kept fine. I only put the heater in the night before a water change. I know I'm only saving pennies in electricity that way, but every penny counts. __________________ Rae C It's 8:30, kids. Turn off the tank and go to bed! Current Tank Info: 65 gal, softies, 1 mandarine, 1 clown

08/30/2008, 05:07 PM	#6
tspors Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Appleton, WI. USA Posts: 774	I have a 32 Gal Rubber maid in basement. I have a magnum 350 running to circulate. I fill with RO/DI water use it top off. Day before water change I mix up salt. Do 15g change in my 150 every Sunday (my church) then turn back on RO/DI. Salinty drops so I can use for top off during week. Salinity in tank stay at 1.025. Storing water would be ok for a week if it is stagnant and covered. Longer if you have movement. __________________ Everything is Good with Moderation. Current Tank Info: 150 Gal Oceanic, 30g Sump, Gen-X PCX-150 2250 gph, Red Sea Clasic Turbo Skimmer, 18w Turbo Twist UV, Ocean Clear Filter w/live rock, Several Buckets,

08/30/2008, 11:37 AM	#3
woogy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Western PA Posts: 986	is it ok not to keep the water circulated?

08/30/2008, 08:31 PM	#7
Landon B. Premium Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 61	I always keep my water circulating, use it as I need it and then top it off and add more salt. Never had any problems. __________________ "Ideas are meant to be shared." Current Tank Info: 40 Breeder Mixed Reef

08/30/2008, 11:14 PM	#8
Flipper62 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Naperville, Il. Business Owner, President & CEO Posts: 3,045	Just My Opinion........I only make my RO/DI water a day or two before my water change. I always check the TDS of my RO/DI water before any top off or a water change. I just always found that if the water is a few days old....the TDS will change Also, it is best to have your new water for your water change is to have it mix for at least 12 hours or so.... Also this will airate the water with oxygen.....& all will be good __________________ If todays automobile had followed the same development as the computer, A Rolls Royce would cost $100.00. It would get a million miles per gallon, but it would explode once a year killing everyone inside." Current Tanks... 90 gal Reef... My awesome Office BioCube....( 180 was on hold ..no time ) ... The 180 gal has been sold...Yay..yay..yay. Hobby Experience: 19 years Reef...22 years FW

08/31/2008, 10:40 AM	#9
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	I found my pre-mixed saltwater in the brute can developed some sort of bacterial slime and really smelled bad after a week or so. It was because I wasn't circulating it. What salt mix? Some like Reef Crystals contain organics in the form of vitamins and such that cna be consumed by bacteria and may make the water anaerobic if not stirred. Others, like IO, contain no such organics, and should be fine unstirred. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

08/31/2008, 12:03 PM	#10
Rae C. Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Colorado Posts: 916	Yep, it's Reef Crystals. Interesting. __________________ Rae C It's 8:30, kids. Turn off the tank and go to bed! Current Tank Info: 65 gal, softies, 1 mandarine, 1 clown

08/31/2008, 12:40 PM	#11
rogergolf66 im an addict lol Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Land o lakes, FLorida Posts: 12,930	yes interested I also use RC and have that problem. __________________ Goal levels: salinity 35ppt, temp 78-79, alk 8-9, cal 430-450, mag 1310-1400 po4 .03, no3 1-3 Current Tank Info: System 1... 100 gal Zoa tank I built, 30 gal Ric Yuma shroom tank, 30 gal mix tank my sons,40 gal softie tank, 40 gal nem tank, two 40 gal LPS tank. System 2... 240 gal SPS display attached 100 gal frag SPS only tank.

08/31/2008, 12:54 PM	#12
Bruno3047 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,018	I'll be keeping a tub of 30-35 gallons of NSW in storage for water changes, etc. I'm planning on running an air pump/box filter filled with carbon and a pad to keep it clean and aerated. An alternative would be to run a HOB-type power filter. Any thoughts on this?

08/31/2008, 01:52 PM	#13
HaleMoana Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Philly Burbs Posts: 433	I have a 55 gallon drum that I keep circulating and heated at all times. I usually keep it filled to the 35 gallon mark. I use 20 gallons weekly for water changes, then just top off with RO water and add salt. __________________ HaleMoana = Home of the Ocean - Delaware Valley Reef Club - Current Tank Info: Custom Starphire 220 In Wall Wrasse Retreat

08/31/2008, 02:54 PM	#14
killa268 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 7	I had no idea that you could even re-use the water. Sounds like a good idea but do you have add stuff to it to reuse the water?

08/31/2008, 03:00 PM	#15
HaleMoana Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Philly Burbs Posts: 433	^Oh, I misread the original question. Yeah, that is a good question. So, I guess the question is... is it safe to mix your discarded water from your WC to an existing saltwater reservoir for future use? hhhmmmm... I am very interested to see the answer to this! It makes a lot of sense. __________________ HaleMoana = Home of the Ocean - Delaware Valley Reef Club - Current Tank Info: Custom Starphire 220 In Wall Wrasse Retreat

08/31/2008, 04:47 PM	#16
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Why would you want to reuse water that you discarded due to it being undesirably contaminated/depleted? If you do keep old tank water or NSW water, it definitely needs to be kept aerated or will rapidly become anaerobic as bacteria consume organics. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

08/31/2008, 04:51 PM	#17
HaleMoana Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Philly Burbs Posts: 433	^LOL... good point!! __________________ HaleMoana = Home of the Ocean - Delaware Valley Reef Club - Current Tank Info: Custom Starphire 220 In Wall Wrasse Retreat

09/01/2008, 07:38 AM	#18
Lawnmower Blenn Moved On Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: midwest Posts: 83	does carbon do any thing for the water or will it kill soffties sps and lps or is it good for ro water when ya store it

09/01/2008, 07:53 AM	#19
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	It is not necessary or useful on already made RO/DI water or new salt water. It also will not cause any harm in such water, unless your salt mix incorporates vitamins, in which case it will bind and remove them. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef