How long can one keep pre mixed saltwater in a holding container befor using it for water changes?
Indefinitely, provided it is covered and kept clean. I always keep 30gals mixed in a trashcan next the the su,p for I need to add/acclimate frags or emergency water change. Keep a air stone in it and it will always be ready.
what brand of trash can do you use i heard some leach nasty stuff into the water ?
I'm not at home but I thing it is the rubber made rough neck
hey steve are you anywhere around london? i have a 55gal food grade barrel you can have
If it is stored in a sealed container, about a month. Even the premixed water available to purchase (comes in a box) has an expiration date. If you have it in a barrel with circulation (and/or air stone to add oxygen), indefinitely as posted above.
Do you guys have any issues with a white slime/bacterial buildup over time? Whenever I would make a batch and let it sit for more than a week or so my water would get cloudy and have a white cotton-ish growth in it. (like individual fibers floating around). I used 0 TDS water from my own RO/DI and IO salt. I had a power head in it then entire time. It was open top so I guess contamination could have caused it but it would have been from water airborne particles were around. I have always wondered how people keep large batches around for extended periods.
sounds like you have nitrates/phosphates somewhere. maybe the salt mix
i use to have this problem aswell back in the day...it was more of a clear slime coating the surface of the water aswell as the walls the container, so now i just store RODI if i ever need to mix some up it only takes a couple min
The container must remain covered to prevent any contaminants from getting into the water. The slime doesn't sound healthy - I'd be concerned. I mix up 250g worth of saltwater at a time, and this lasts about two months. The circulation pump keeps it ready to use.