Water Changes

I have heard from various people that it is a good idea to let your water sit for 24 hrs after mixing it up before you do a water change. Is this true? Also, what is the science behind this? When I mix my water, I mix it up, then turn on the heater and airstone and let it brew for a day. Keep in mind, I am only mixing up 5 gals at a time for weekly water changes in a 55 gal.

 

allowing the salt to sit overnight ensures that all of the chlorine evaporates out of the water if you are using tap. It also allows the PH to go down a little because all of that mixing makes it rise or vice versa. It also ensures that all of the salt has been absorbed in the water so your not pouring chunks of salt directly in your display tank. I usually let it sit for an hour or two with a powerhead, then perform the water change.

 

it also allows all the salt to be dissolved, keep the water moving as much as possible. i give mine 24 hrs before adding.

 

I never worry about it myself, as long as the salt is dissolved, the SG is correct and the temp and pH are close to the display I go for it. In 30+ years I have never had a problem doing it this way.
I don't think there is any secience behind it.
I use only RO/DI and I add a pump like a Seio or Koralia to aerate it while I am mixing but I rarely make the water up the day before unless I have to for one reason or another.

 

Wow...I typicall get the 5 gal. bucket out. Pour 3 gallons of distilled in there...add my salt. Then I bought a long mixing bit I got from Lowes, and put it in my drill and mix that brew up for 5 mins or so and chk salinity...if good, in it goes!

 

Just an FYI: Distilled water is just as bad as tap water. Some distilled systems also use Cu piping so the water will be contaminated with Cu. Look for Reverse Osmosis filtered water or Deionized filtered water.

I just grab a 5 gallon bucket as well. Pour 4 gallons of water in then 2 cups of salt. Throw a powerhead in it for about 5 minutes. Check salinity and pH. If all is well I slowly pour it in to the overflow. Most people don't have the time or space to do a "preferred" water change.

 

I've always waited 24 hours befour adding my water to tank

 

While this may be the case, I've never once found traces of copper in distilled water, and I've used it on and off for more than 20 years.

Just check before you use.

 

I fill my 30 gal garbage can on Friday night with RO/DI, with a heater and a small pump. Saturday moring mix in the salt, check, and by lunchtime, i do the change. Bi-weekly. My pump is a small 175gph pump I use for the WC. I just leave it in there to circulate and mix the water.

 

Copper coils are rarely used in water distallation any more. Years ago they were common but today its usually epoxy of glass lined metals like titanium and stainless steel.
It doesn't hurt to check though, you never want to assume anything!