Keeping salt water

[h2ocritters]

I buy premixed salt water from my LFS. How long can I safely store it in my 5 gallon jugs before doing a water change?Hours? Days?

 

[Omni2226]

If in a dark place and no leaks where air can get in weeks/months.
They store water in gallon jugs for months at a time.

Now I could be wrong but I dont believe salt wears out so it will stay as fresh as the day it was mixed.

When ready to use it maybe drop an airstone or pump in it for a couple hours to pump up the oxygen level a bit.

 

[h2ocritters]

bump

 

[pwj1286]

You are cheaper off to buy your own RO/DI system and buy salt and make it yourself.

You pay a pretty penny for pre-mix saltwater. Plus you can drink all the RO/DI water you want! Cheaper than buying water from the "water man".
_________________
failed banks

 

[mattstewart]

when storing it should probably have some movement from a powerhead or pump and be kept at the same heat as your main tank with a heater. Also remember when storing that evaporation will still occurr so you need to top off with fresh just as you would your display over time.

 

[h2ocritters]

when storing it should probably have some movement from a powerhead or pump ....

mattstewart, I was curious how long it can sit before having to resort to using a powerhead or pump. It's easier to cruise by my LFS on the weekend but I end up doing a water change a couple days later. Just wondering if the water is ok to sit for two or three days.
An RO unit is on my Christmas list

 

[FragMaster]

It cant go "stangnet" if no bacteria are present (as in algae or air born)There are no bacteria present in freshly mixed synthetic based salt water.
Keep it in the closet, or a dark room with the lid on it. You'll be good togo

 

[fungia]

if you buy store bought water it will have bacteria in it since they dont clean their holding tank much if it like my lfs.

i have held water in a dark room for a few weeks with no problem but a few times they smell a little foul. to be safe i would only keep it stored a few days.