How long can I store mixed salt water?

[kwolfskill]

Hey Gang -
I mix my new salt water for a water change (using RO/DI water and Kent Marine salt) in a tub with a heater and a powerhead. Sometimes I end up having the time to mix it a number of days before I will use it and it just sits there. I have noticed that if I leave it more than a couple of days, I get a film on the walls and bottom of my storage tub. So, I switched to a 20 gallon tank as the storage tub, thinking that the film was coming because of using a plastic storage tub, but that isn't it.
So, any ideas, and is it that I am storing it too long?

 

[uberlink]

You can keep it stored for an awful long time, as long as you're using a powerhead. Weeks. Months. Shouldn't be a problem. Not sure what could be causing your film. Have you changed out your RO filters recently? Any chance you've got some minerals in the water?

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by kwolfskill
Hey Gang -
I mix my new salt water for a water change (using RO/DI water and Kent Marine salt) in a tub with a heater and a powerhead. Sometimes I end up having the time to mix it a number of days before I will use it and it just sits there. I have noticed that if I leave it more than a couple of days, I get a film on the walls and bottom of my storage tub. So, I switched to a 20 gallon tank as the storage tub, thinking that the film was coming because of using a plastic storage tub, but that isn't it.
So, any ideas, and is it that I am storing it too long?

You have to cover it, loosely. I have mixed water for a month and not had problems. If you don't cover it then you will get dust, and whatever else is in your house, in the water. Don't seal it air tight though.

 

[kwolfskill]

Originally Posted by uberlink
You can keep it stored for an awful long time, as long as you're using a powerhead. Weeks. Months. Shouldn't be a problem. Not sure what could be causing your film. Have you changed out your RO filters recently? Any chance you've got some minerals in the water?
Recently changed the DI filter for the second time, (the filter is about 8 months old), but haven't change any of the RO filters yet. My TDS meter reads 0, so I assumed they are OK? Also, I have hard water from a well, but I thought that the RO/DI would remove all of the, yes, no, maybe?

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by kwolfskill
Recently changed the DI filter for the second time, (the filter is about 8 months old), but haven't change any of the RO filters yet. My TDS meter reads 0, so I assumed they are OK? Also, I have hard water from a well, but I thought that the RO/DI would remove all of the, yes, no, maybe?
The RO/DI will remove any impurities in the water.

 

[krazekajin]

my saltwater does it too.
there are several reasons for this.
1. dust from open air container (as sepulation already said)
2. I have noticed that after I have emptied my water out of my container, that my pump and tube remain wet and after a while they get a little slimey. Then when I mix up my next batch of water and turn on my pump to circulate in my container, that slimy or dried slimy stuff comes off in my water. I have not noticed a problem with nitrates or the such. However, I reccomend that after every waterchange that you rinse your pump and any other equipment in your waterchange barrel in fresh water. This will get any build up off and you will be able to start with clean equipment next time you mix salt.

 

[dogluv]

I use a 40 gallon rubbermade container and have my water mixed with salt for months sometimes. I leave a powerhead running at all times to keep the water circulating and cover the water with the top that came with the container. i have been doing this for years. i have noticed that you do over time have a build up of stuff on the walls of the container and from time to time I just take the container outside and rinse it with the hose. i personally wouldn't worry about it too much. Just my .02 worth

 

[pbienkiewi]

Originally Posted by KrazeKajin
my saltwater does it too.
there are several reasons for this.
1. dust from open air container (as sepulation already said)
2. I have noticed that after I have emptied my water out of my container, that my pump and tube remain wet and after a while they get a little slimey. Then when I mix up my next batch of water and turn on my pump to circulate in my container, that slimy or dried slimy stuff comes off in my water. I have not noticed a problem with nitrates or the such. However, I reccomend that after every waterchange that you rinse your pump and any other equipment in your waterchange barrel in fresh water. This will get any build up off and you will be able to start with clean equipment next time you mix salt.

Thats what I do... A little bit of water in the 5gal water jugs that I use and do the shake.

 

[kwolfskill]

Thanks for the help everyone!
It sounds like a common occurance and I will just try to rinse everything after every water change.

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by kwolfskill
Thanks for the help everyone!
It sounds like a common occurance and I will just try to rinse everything after every water change.
You don't have to rinse it after every change, but it wouldn't hurt. I rinse my bucket, powerhead, and heater when it has buildup on it.