adding water... keep it circulating???

[stoppiesteve]

I keep two 5 gal bottles filled and sealed with saltwater in them for top-offs. The RO/DI water will sit for up to 10 days after I mix it but before being added to the tank. Is it alright to leave it uncirculated? I shake the bottle up quite a bit before adding it to an aquarium so that the salt isn't settled, but is this enough? Thanks in advance!

 

[dreeves]

You dont use mixed saltwater for top offs...just water...as for keeping your pre-mix saltwater sealed...I wouldnt think that to be too good of a way to keep it...circulation and air will help the water obtain a proper gas exchange and continuing it keeps it in proper balances.

 

[gregvabch]

you don't need saltwater for topoffs, otherwise you'll end up with the dead sea. ro/di water is fine without circulation, just make sure it's covered or sealed. usually when i mix up enough saltwater for a waterchange, i continuously run at least one powerhead in it, as well as a heater if it's cold outside and sometimes a small airstone. i do this for at least a day. i've got a 20 gallon rubbermaid container with a lid that i use to mix my water for water changes. HTH
edit- when your water evaporates, the salt stays in your tank...

 

[dreeves]

Yes, to store just RO/DI water you dont really need anything in it as far as circulation, heat or air..i keep 64 gallons of fresh ro/di water on hand at all times and have never had a problem with it.