Aged salt water

[6stokes]

Hello everyone. Just a quick question on aging of sea water. I age my water for 1 week prior to putting it in the display tank. It is aerated to keep it mixed and stabilized.
Is this a good practice still, or is it old school thought?

 

[reefnut]

That's still the best methiod IMO. You may not need to age it for a full week but if that works for you I don't see any problem in it.

 

[xnikki118x]

Sorry to hack the thread with kind of a dumb question, but why do you age the water? I never have because I don't have an extra aerator...is that something I should definitely get ASAP? Thanks for your patience with my ignorance.

 

[acrylic51]

I agree with the above of aging the water... I don't think you have to a full week though...but what would it hurt....I let mine aerate for 3 days before doing my water change....
You definitely want to at least let the water aerate for at least 24 hours before dumping it right into the tank....When you add salt to your water you don't get a true reading right away due to all the salt isn't dissolved instantly, plus your salinity will differ if the water is ice cold as compared to tank temp as well....

 

[reefnut]

why do you age the water?
Several reasons really. It allows time for the suspended salt particles to completely dissolve, oxygenates the water, allows it to chemically stabilize, brings the PH in line and allows time to heat to temp. After 24hrs and after the proper temp is reached you should check the salinity to make sure it's still where you want it.
I would also recommed a MINIMUM of 24 hours. 36 hours or longer is best IMO.

 

[6stokes]

Thanks ReefNut. I appreciate your response.