Saving Water?

[brianx45]

I am soon upgrading my reef tank from 55gal. to 175gal., I would like to use as much of my existing water as possible. I went out and bought a 45gal storage bin and I would like to start making new saltwater and storing it until the tank is ready to be filled. I've read some posts and talked to some people and i've been told as long as their is a powerhead moving it around it should be fine. Now i've also read some posts where people have stored freshly made saltwater and it started to get amonia spikes and the water turned bad. What would be the best way to go about this without having any problems? Also if I do water changes in my current tank can I save that water being that it is already established, or is that a bad idea? And just out of curiosity how do they sell that natural saltwater in those boxes and that supposedly doesn't go bad?

 

[duke62]

i dont know much about storing water but i would think if it was to be stored for a while a powerhead and i would think no heater.i think cold water wouldnt let bacteria form.maybe someone else would have more info

 

[KathyC]

i dont know much about storing water but i would think if it was to be stored for a while a powerhead and i would think no heater.i think cold water wouldnt let bacteria form.maybe someone else would have more info

Doesn't seem to make sense that that would work. Assuming the reason for saving the water is to keep whatever amount bacteria is there living...the colder water would more than likely kill them.

Is the new tank going into the same exact location as the 55 is now?
How soon is the upgrade happening?

You could always wait until you have the 180 up, and mix the new water right in the tank and then add the sand & rocks. Messier that way while you wait for the sand to calm down, but keeps you from having water vessels all over the place while trying to maneuver a 180g tank into place and hook up the plumbing.

Not something that should be rushed!

 

[duke62]

he was asking about new ro/di water

 

[tosiek]

why not make the water a day or two before you need to use it? Just keep a PH running and the temp at the tanks temp before you put it in and get the new tank set up. People have been seeing ammonia readings on their water, but for as long as i know everyones been keeping their salt mixed water laying around with and without PH's and noones had a tank crash or anything really harmful. Id be more worried about crashing the tank from the rock sitting dry for too long or temp swings while doing the transfer.