batch water mixing???

[martym]

I was wondering if anyone mixes large batches of water for their changes and store it. I have a 10g nano which I do a 1 gallon change every week.I mixed 5 gallons of ro/di and crystal sea salt, have a heater and power head in it for circulation. After about a 2 weeks the water went brown. What did I do wrong? Mixing up only gallon of salt water per week is hard to get the ratio right. Any suggestions?

[Chad]

I get the same sort of issue, its ok so long as I do not add salt, but the moment I add salt I have to use it in about 2 days otherwise the Nitrates start going up.

[martym]

Where would the nitrates be coming from? Never tested mine before dumping it.

[christyf5]

I get a film on the inside of my rubbermaid container when I store RO/DI water for longer than a week, I think its some sort of biofilm. My theory is that when you add salt it gives them all they need to really thrive and a biproduct of that could be the nitrates that you are seeing.

Christy

[martym]

I quess i should get a scale and mix a gallon up at a time.

[monza]

A scale, what for?? Hydrometer might be the way to go. Once you make one batch, just add the same amount of salt next time, super easy.
Dave

[martym]

Have you ever tried to mix 1 gallon

[monza]

No I have not. I mix 30, 60 0r 90gal at a time.

Dave

[martym]

Mixing that quantity, 1tps doesn't change your SG from 1.019 to 1.027

[danny zubot]

Do you keep it in a cool dark place with a lid on it? If you don't heat the water it should prolong it's shelf life a bit more. Plus with a lid on it and no O2 it will last even longer. It wouldn't take long to heat and ariate (sp) 1 gallon of water at a time.