aqua-ed Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 How far ahead of time does everyone mix their saltwater? Is there a shelf-life? I do weekly (or bi-weekly) 5gal changes for my tank. I usually mix it up a day ahead and get it up to temp. Is it feasible to mix a month's supply (20g) at once and keep it cool until I need it? Will anything break down or lower the beneficial nutrients? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 I typically mix overnight, but in an emergency have no problems mixing for just an hour or so. Don't use a nasty, old, algae-encrusted powerhead to mix with... particularly if you have a heater in the bucket too.. even more particularly if you may end up leaving it to mix for almost a week. And if you do somehow end up doing this, make sure you notice that the new water is as cloudy as a Portland sky before adding it to the tank, or else you'll find yourself running a metric butt-load of carbon on the tank and mixing more new water in great haste. A *lot* of new water. Or so I hear. Not that *I'd* ever do something like that. No way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 I do weekly ~15gal WCs. I typically mix the water up a day beforehand. Sometimes i get busy with other things and don't get to the WC for another day or 2. For example I'll be doing my WC tonight, but i mixed the water up on saturday. Never had any problems doing this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pledosophy Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 As long as the water is aerated there is no real shelf life. You can mix it weeks ahead. You might need to recheck the salinity for evaporation though . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kriswaters Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 I mix mine usually a day before a WC. I have left it for longer then 5 days with no problem. I just keep the power head running and the lid on (this prevents dog hair infestation)! As Dsoz states, just recheck SG for evap. Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Did I say something on this thread???? <-----Oh look, I broke 1000 posts! Not bad for a year a few months. dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aqua-ed Posted June 25, 2008 Author Share Posted June 25, 2008 Did I say something on this thread???? Hehehe...looks like you've been misquoted. At least it wasn't something derogatory or harsh. (laugh) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uhuru Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 I've had some bad luck mixing mine too far ahead of time. 2 weeks no problem but when it goes on a month it seems to get contaminated somehow. I do have 4 dogs so my house is dirty all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.