Water Storage...

[mindy2577]

So I have purchased a 20 gallon rubbermaid trashcan to store water in.
My question is this...should I check my levels in the can regularly? And if there is ammonia...what would be a good practice to get this down?

 

[sickboy]

This bin is for RO water, correct?
If so, there should not be ammonia in there. You could measure the TDS though...

 

[mindy2577]

Unfortunetly no..
I am using tap water until I can save enough money for a nice RO.
I wish I would have known about this site when I started....

 

[meowzer]

If you are using tap water, why do you need to store it?
NOW if you are talking about mixing you salt water for changes....you only mix it 1-2 days in advance....put a powerhead and heater in bucket to aerate.

 

[mindy2577]

It will be for mixing salt for water changes.
I had mixed up a batch on friday and checked the levels. Everything is was normal except Ammonia, which was at 1.00. However when I checked it yesterday Ammonia went down to .50.
So I can't store the salt water for like a week? I am trying to get my Nitrates down in my DT, and I was told that I would need to do a big water change. So I am trying to prepare for that.

 

[meowzer]

Your ammonia in your "water change" water was 1???

 

[mindy2577]

Yes.
I even rinsed out the bucket before I used it. When I get home tonight I will check it again. Its weird because when I would do a water change before, there was never any ammonia. Im wondering if maybe its just something in the bucket?!?!

 

[meowzer]

Or maybe something is wrong with your test kit? Maybe someone else has a clue...I didn't think "NEW" saltwater would have ammonia...

 

[eric b 125]

not quite sure it would make a difference with ammonia, but do you use well water or is it city water?

 

[mindy2577]

City water...even though we do have what i think is a well outside. <---will check on that.

 

[meowzer]

Have you ever tested your tap??

 

[mindy2577]

I called the city department and asked them about this. They said that we have a slim chance of getting anything and I laughed. However it costs $30 for EACH test to be done. I couldn't believe that.

 

[meowzer]

Test it with your test kit.

 

[mindy2577]

You can do that?? I had NO idea!!

 

[mindy2577]

Stupid question... my saltwater test kit will trace any chemicals in my tap water?