Aged Water? How long is OK?

[dpenning]

I generally mix my water on Saturday, then do my water change on Sunday. The water is mixed with a power head saturday and again on Sunday just to make sure everything tests out ok before I do the change.

I have some water that has been in my garage for over a week with no powerhead or flow of any kind. Is it still ok to use if I toss a power head in to mix it before I use it? Can salt water get stagnant and bad?

Thanks,

dawn

 

[washingtond]

@dpenning wrote:

If it had a air tight lid it should be OK just test the SP and pH. If the pH is low apply a air stone to add oxygen to the water that should increase the pH. If left in an open container in the garage it could be suspect as to the chemicals that could have been absorbed, also bacteria could have been introduced and also some evaporation took place so to be safe I would not use it.

 

[dpenning]

Thanks David, I think I knew the answer, was just hoping someone wold tell me it would be ok. [smilie=thinking.gif] Better safe than sorry.

 

[melev]

@washingtond wrote:

Agreed. If you want to keep water in a non-sealed container, it needs to constantly have flow to keep it viable and avoid stagnation issues. Sealed water can last about a month, after that I wouldn't use it.

 

[Guest]

Marc if you use a uv sterilizer on the salt water storage do you thing it is safe to use the water for extended periods at a time. I mix a 55 gallons at a time and do 10 gallon water changes every two to three weeks

 

[melev]

It couldn't hurt, and if you are keeping it circulated and topped off for any evaporation (summer primarily) it should be fine. If you are doing 20g of water changes per month, why not simply mix up a smaller amount? You prefer to have a larger body of water available?

Myself, I'd love to get a huge container for my new tank, but I've not found one that is affordable yet. I'd like a 200g vat, so I can pour in a bucket of salt and be done. I'd have plenty of water in an emergency, and could do 50g water changes every week if I was so inclined... not that I am, but I might be if I could make it really simple to do. [smilie=wink.gif]

 

[dwittster]

@Marc wrote:

Depends on what you call affordable, but tank depot has a 200 gallong for $210.

 

[melev]

That's about what I'd pay, but shipping is like $190 more, usually.

 

[Zojro]

@Marc wrote:

You may try farm/ranch supply stores. I got a 100 gallon trough for around 50 to store my livestock for about 2 weeks while I setup after moving. They had larger sizes also. I believe the 140 was about $80. I would be glad to check on size/pricing for you or get you contact info.

 

[melev]

I'll have to do that. Though a trough won't work. I need a closed reservoir or upright container akin to a water heater.

 

[fperkins]

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/grd/1995282515.html

Cheap water tanks

120 gal. water tank- $75
425 gal. water transport tank- $250

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/grd/1982052782.html

265 Gallon Poly Water Tanks (new and used) - $125 (Lewisville)

 

[melev]

Thanks for the find. I never even thought to check Craigslist.

 

[melev]

@fperkins wrote:

FYI, I bought one today, and there are four left for the taking. The place stored Vodka in them, so they are clean and can be used for our saltwater needs.

 

[fperkins]

@Marc wrote:

Hmnnn ............ it's a shame it was an empty !!!