stale saltwater

cp3823 · #1 12/30/2007, 11:15 PM

Ok. I know this might sound dumb, But I dont know.

My local menards has 50 gallon brute trash cans on sale.

I can mix up like 50 gallons of RODI saltwater, put a few old mj1200's and 2 old heaters in it and leave it? That way I have a nice large supply of saltwater for waterchanges?

I get tired of mixing up small 3-4 gallon batches every other week. This way I can just dip my bucket in there and be ready to go.

Good or bad idea? I figure 50 gallons of premade saltwater would last me 3 - 4 months or so depending on how much I change out.

Engine 7 · #2 12/30/2007, 11:17 PM

Good idea. Keep some water circulation going and heat. You will be fine.

Pufferpunk · #3 12/30/2007, 11:27 PM

I do the same. Got a big, Iwaki pump plumbed into the lowest side of the bucket. I have it so I can mix the water in the bucket or with the turn of a valve, it will pump the SW upstairs to my office, for easy filling.

kawicivic · #4 12/30/2007, 11:29 PM

Rod posted this on another site about why not to use brute trash cans (explaining the experiment he stated to put water in it and put the lid on it for a week):

Because it will smell like a male cat sprayed his scent in there. Strong enough to make you want to change. If you dont cover it, and let it breath, the smell wont build up and it will go unnoticed. I have tested many brute storage containers, and every one that I tested has shown phosphates. I know that many people use them without problems, but I surely wouldnt after that smell. Every one of my accounts that were set up with the brutes had that nasty smell. After switching them out for HDPE containers the smell was gone and their tanks looked better. The tanks looking better may have had something to do with better maintenance on the tanks, but I dunno for sure.

hope you dont mind me snagging your post rod

jdhanover · #5 12/30/2007, 11:54 PM

Where does one get 50 gallon HDPE containers...and what exactly are they called (any particular brand name)? I think the Brute is the source of my algae problem.

cp3823 · #6 12/30/2007, 11:56 PM

^^ wow, didnt know that! What is HDPE ?

I could always pick up something else.

So saltwater as long as kept warm, and circulated does not go stale or break down? Even for a few months at a time?

Douglas LEHMAN · #7 12/31/2007, 12:04 AM

Hello
I use a couple of old 30 gallon aquariums to mix and store salt water. You might be better servered by using a 20 gallon aquarium...

kawicivic · #8 12/31/2007, 12:14 AM

many people store saltwater that is mixed and I dont believe they have any issues with it becoming stale. HDPE = high density polyehylene. They said you can find them at Farm and Fleet. I do not know if they are the black storage tubs or maybe the cylinder tubs. Maybe Rod will chime in since he was the original poster.

cp3823 · #9 12/31/2007, 12:44 AM

I have a small empty closet in my apartmet that I would really like to put a tall skinny tank to hold premixed saltwater. I'll have to scope out menars and farm and fleet.

clevername2000 · #10 12/31/2007, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kawicivic
Rod posted this on another site about why not to use brute trash cans (explaining the experiment he stated to put water in it and put the lid on it for a week):

Because it will smell like a male cat sprayed his scent in there. Strong enough to make you want to change. If you dont cover it, and let it breath, the smell wont build up and it will go unnoticed. I have tested many brute storage containers, and every one that I tested has shown phosphates. I know that many people use them without problems, but I surely wouldnt after that smell. Every one of my accounts that were set up with the brutes had that nasty smell. After switching them out for HDPE containers the smell was gone and their tanks looked better. The tanks looking better may have had something to do with better maintenance on the tanks, but I dunno for sure.

hope you dont mind me snagging your post rod

Ok i was literally going to post a question about water going bad because my Brute Trash can SMELLS HORRIBLE after one week

I am storing all my RO/DI water in it for about 3 weeks MAX. I have a pump and heater but are NOT turned on. I have cleaned EVERYTHING with pure vinegar for HOURS and 2 weeks later pure water smeels HORRIBLE!

?????

Pufferpunk · #11 12/31/2007, 12:54 AM

Mine smells fine & has been in there for 2 weeks. I don't clean out the bucket more than every 3 times mixing.

cp3823 · #12 12/31/2007, 01:04 AM

anyone recommend what the use? How about a normal trash can then? or is it just the brute one?

Pufferpunk · #13 12/31/2007, 01:21 AM

Are you coming over soon? I think your salt is frozen!

pescadero · #14 12/31/2007, 01:25 AM

if your water turns nasty, try polishing it with a HOB canister filter that's equipped with a micron filter.

i mix in a trashcan. yesterday i mixed up some saltwater using tapwater that had been sitting in an uncovered can for about 3 weeks. it was nasty before i put the salt in it, and it was nasty afterward. i mixed it with a pump overnight and it was still nasty this morning. i put a HOB canister filter with a micron paper filter element on the trashcan and the water was crystal clear in an hour or two.

constant mixing is a good idea. i also think that particle filtration can work wonders.

rj ripetide · #15 12/31/2007, 01:26 AM

I use a food grade drum...I got mine from a local distillery.

cp3823 · #16 12/31/2007, 01:34 AM

^^^ great Idea. I'll have to see what I can find. I guess I just need to look around.

clevername2000 · #17 12/31/2007, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pescadero
if your water turns nasty, try polishing it with a HOB canister filter that's equipped with a micron filter.

i mix in a trashcan. yesterday i mixed up some saltwater using tapwater that had been sitting in an uncovered can for about 3 weeks. it was nasty before i put the salt in it, and it was nasty afterward. i mixed it with a pump overnight and it was still nasty this morning. i put a HOB canister filter with a micron paper filter element on the trashcan and the water was crystal clear in an hour or two.

constant mixing is a good idea. i also think that particle filtration can work wonders.

Ahhhh Filtering your RO/DI water, that sounds economical.

Anyone know the root of the problem? Brute? Olds/Used pumps? Old water?

pescadero · #18 12/31/2007, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by clevername2000
Ahhhh Filtering your RO/DI water, that sounds economical.

actually, its very economical. let's look at numbers. the filter uses 30 watts. running it for 2 hours consumes 60 watt-hours of electricity, or 0.06 KWH. the electrical costs of polishing the water are less than a penny.

given the cost of water and RO/DI filter elements, i think that replacing the RO/DI water would cost more.

Quote:

Originally posted by clevername2000
Anyone know the root of the problem? Brute? Olds/Used pumps? Old water?

in my case i think that the uncovered can picked up contaminants from the air.

klm2500hd · #19 12/31/2007, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pufferpunk
I do the same. Got a big, Iwaki pump plumbed into the lowest side of the bucket. I have it so I can mix the water in the bucket or with the turn of a valve, it will pump the SW upstairs to my office, for easy filling.

same setup here except wiyh food grade barrel
saltwater on tap! makes frequent water changes much easier on the back.

cp3823 · #20 12/31/2007, 08:52 AM

^^ where do I get a food grade barrel at?

Rod Buehler · #21 12/31/2007, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cp3823
^^ where do I get a food grade barrel at?

Farm and fleet for one.. RW zeller for another..

http://www.rw-zeller-sales.com/

Jeni, have you ever put a lid on that container and let it sit for a week or 2? and then took a whiff?

Quote:

If you dont cover it, and let it breath, the smell wont build up and it will go unnoticed.

Rod Buehler · #22 12/31/2007, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kawicivic

hope you dont mind me snagging your post rod

I would have rather seen a link to that post .

PSam · #23 12/31/2007, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cp3823
I have a small empty closet in my apartmet that I would really like to put a tall skinny tank to hold premixed saltwater. I'll have to scope out menars and farm and fleet.

Check out those tall skinny rubbermaid containers for wrapping paper. Now is the time of year Target or Walmart may have them. Scroll down partway, Melev has a photo of one.

http://www.melevsreef.com/plumbing/auto_topoff.html

kawicivic · #24 12/31/2007, 11:31 AM

I don't know the policy about posted threads that are on other forums so I chose to be cautious.

Quote:

Originally posted by Rod Buehler
I would have rather seen a link to that post .

klm2500hd · #25 12/31/2007, 11:44 AM

i got mine online, but I cannot find the receipt for where I ordered it from, sorry. I found mine by doing a search for FDA approved drums.

if you order online find a place with free shipping, UPS oversize applies.