C00kieduster Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 just got my ro/di and Red Sea coral pro salt. Got me thinking. How long is too long to have mixed saltwater stored? Would I be able to mix some up and place in jugs for a few weeks at a time? Or just mix when I need it? Link to comment
B16acrx1988 Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 I keep it stored for weeks after buying it mixed from my lfs, and no problems yet. Link to comment
paulrw Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 with the red sea coral pro salt you will get precipitation if you mix it to long or let it sit to long. the instructions say not to mix it for more then 2 hours. Link to comment
RK_tek Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 I mix 20g at a time and change 10 gallons every 2 wks so the last of the batch is a month old(or longer) Link to comment
Hexadron Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 I always try to keep some mixed up in case I make a spur of the moment trip to the LFS for acclimation, as my 10g would lose too much water if I didn't have some mixed on hand - besides it's always wise to have some mixed up for an emergency IMO. A few weeks should be fine. Link to comment
C00kieduster Posted February 23, 2015 Author Share Posted February 23, 2015 Thanks for the replies! I've read about mixing it for too long with the Red Sea salt. This may be stupid, but I just don't understand how or why it would precipitate if it's in a rubber made with a power heard and heater, but not if its in a tank with similar flow and temp. Link to comment
Hexadron Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Thanks for the replies! I've read about mixing it for too long with the Red Sea salt. This may be stupid, but I just don't understand how or why it would precipitate if it's in a rubber made with a power heard and heater, but not if its in a tank with similar flow and temp. I never really understood that either... Link to comment
Benny314 Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Think I've read 2 weeks is maximum to keep pre mixed salt water, but I don't see why, not like there's anything that can break down in it if its stored in a sealed food safe container.The only issues would be long term storage in an open container as you would get evaporation issues you would have to monitor and top it off with fresh water to correct. Link to comment
Mojado Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 with the red sea coral pro salt you will get precipitation if you mix it to long or let it sit to long. the instructions say not to mix it for more then 2 hours. I've heard this so many times. That makes no sense. Whether it precipitates in the mixing jug or in the tank. Is their product not any good? Link to comment
LebaneseDlight Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 If it precipitates, you can still use it. But I think most of the precipitation happens when you don't use a powerhead. With oxygenation, I also dont see why it would precipitate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlIHJ02NaKk Link to comment
paulrw Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 I've heard this so many times. That makes no sense. Whether it precipitates in the mixing jug or in the tank. Is their product not any good? it depends what makes a good product. it's good salt i never had any issues in the tank. it always mixed up close to the parameters red sea states. If it precipitates, you can still use it. But I think most of the precipitation happens when you don't use a powerhead. With oxygenation, I also dont see why it would precipitate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlIHJ02NaKk yes you can still use it, i just strained it through a filter sock into the tank. i'm not sure why but it always precipitated no mater what, i use 2 pumps to mix my water a power head sitting on the bottom of the bucket and a pump hooked up to an in-line heater that sprays across the top of the bucket plenty of circulation and aeration. it's not like it's a cup of sludge at the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket. it usually amounted to about a teaspoon or so. i'm no scientist. but i think the precipitation is probably in-organic un soluble material that's found in the ocean. red sea pulls water out of the red sea and evaporates it out doors to get the salt. it seems to me there's multiple chances of contamination through the whole process. Link to comment
Fishstiks Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 I use reef crystals, not Red Sea, but I usually keep at least 5 gallons stored for just-in-case. I rotate it out with my water changes, so it's never more than a month old, but it seems fine. I always check the SG and heat to temp before using, and if it has a lot of precip, I will filter it through a filter sock, like mentioned above. It's probably fine to store enough for a couple weeks worth of water changes. I try to make enough RO/DI water to store for a month and then mix the salt when ready to use so I don't have to always have my RO unit hooked up to the sink. Lol Link to comment
paulrw Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 I.O. reef crystals is what i used when i first started and what i use now. not because i believe it's a "better" salt but because it's more convenient. there's 5 lfs with in 5 miles of me they all stock reef crystals in all sizes. instant ocean and i.o. reef crystals are synthetic salt mixes, i believe that's why they mix up quickly with no precip. i'm in the group that believes most premium salt mixes are good as long as you mix it to the right salinity. Link to comment
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