Water Change question

andsoitgoes · #1 02-21-2007, 07:34 PM

I've made up some water a few weeks ago, but with my girls being sick and then just not being able to get the time needed to do it properly, it's been sitting - I've added Liquid Reactor (it's in a 20g garbage can) last week and am keeping it topped up to hold the salinity.

I know that no matter what, some of the good stuff will have percipitated off, but will there be enough good left to use it for a water change? It's been circulating nicely with a couple of power heads... I just don't want to have to drain an entire 20g can and start from scratch if I can help it.

Thanks!!

Nick

niloc16 · #2 02-21-2007, 07:39 PM

the water will be fine just check your salinity before adding it. i'm not sure what is meant by good stuff precipitated off.

Joe Reefer · #3 02-21-2007, 07:46 PM

It will be fine....just make sure your salinity and temp. are corresponding. If your not already doing so having a lid on the can will help keep light out and slow down evaporation.

andsoitgoes · #4 02-21-2007, 07:49 PM

It's in a nice dark place, and the lid WAS on until I accidentally knocked it off =/

It's in my closet, far in the back

It's got a heater so the temp is stable, I do know that the salinity was a bit higher, but I've added RO water to balance that.,

I've understood that things like the calcium in the salt can evaporate out with the water, which was my concern with having it cycling so long. Maybe not?

Ruth · #5 02-21-2007, 08:11 PM

Why do you think it would precipitate out any more in a bucket (where nothing is using up any of the elements) than it would in your tank? I have never understood this reasoning and have asked on a couple of other boards and the answer I consistently get is that nothing is wrong with leaving your water mixed up, heated and airated in a covered bucket for extended periods of time.

Delphinus · #6 02-21-2007, 08:26 PM

I always keep about 30g SW made up at any time. You never know when you may need some SW in a hurry. And I just this stuff for water changes when the water change comes due and I then make up some new.

untamed · #7 02-21-2007, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andsoitgoes

I've understood that things like the calcium in the salt can evaporate out with the water, which was my concern with having it cycling so long. Maybe not?

Nope. The only thing that can evaporate from the SW is water.

Joe Reefer · #8 02-21-2007, 09:18 PM

To bad nitrates don't evaporate.

Chad · #9 02-22-2007, 12:10 AM

I've always had issues with nitrates creeping up on change water that I just let cycle. So now I mix on the spot but keep a 45 gallon drum of fresh RO water on the go and heated w/o a circulation pump.

Ruth · #10 02-22-2007, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad

I've always had issues with nitrates creeping up on change water that I just let cycle. So now I mix on the spot but keep a 45 gallon drum of fresh RO water on the go and heated w/o a circulation pump.

How the heck would nitrates get into change water? I'm confused? What would be in there to start a cycle?