Water on reserve 24/7

I was curious to know if I'm doing the right thing.

I have a 77 litre (~ 20 gal) plastic bucket filled with water. Inside I have placed a powerhead and heater and this is on 24/7 so that I can always have a supply of water at a moment's notice when the need arises. This has been going on for a couple of weeks now and I wanted to know if the water will ever become stale and/or after how long should I empty this bucket out and put new water in?

Thanks in advance.

 

I also have this same question, what if you just store it without a power head or heater but the container is covered. Someone help us!!!!!!!!!

 

Is this bucket full of salt water or freshwater? ro/di?
Water really doesn't go bad in a short amount of time, it really doesn't go bad in a long time either.
You have to add something to the water for it to react and change ( go bad ) before you have a problem with using it.

Jim

 

You want to make sure the water is properly stored in airtight, inert containers. Fresh water is very aggressive and will absorb contaminants from the external environment. Also make sure unused salt mix is stored in a sealed container as well, so air doesn't get in or the air will precipitate calcium carbonate...

 

How can I make the container with water in it "airtight" when there's a powerhead and heater already in the bucket?

I keep the unused salt in its original bucket, tightly closed.

 

The bucket is full of salt water, constantly mixed and heated at a steady 78 F.

 

try using silicone to cover the small space. The small opening created by the cords shouldn't pose a major problem. More so if you didn't have it covered.

 

I agree the Coral Reefer. I had two Brute trashcans. (Brute's are foodsafe and don't contain plasticizers that leach phosphates nor other chemicals).

One trashcan was filled with RO/DI water and the other one was saltwater that was heated and circulated with a pump. I had the ability to do a 32g waterchange at a moments notice.

Remember, that even regular water is considered "The Universal Solvent". http://www.google.com/search?source...GLJ:2006-16,GGLJ:en&q="the universal solvent"

RO/DI is stripped water and is even more aggressive at putting nasties into solution. You can use that to your advantage. For instance, if you feed your tank blender mush, you can soak any of your seafood ingredients in RO/DI water to remove the polyphosphates and other phosphates from the food before putting it in the blender. (Obviously, you want to throw out this water). If you buy frozen shrimp, krill, etc. that is sold for the hobby, you can do the same thing.

 

I have read what you both posted and I see a lot of information but.....
Does this mean that after making salt water you must immediately seal it or it will go bad after 1 day or 2 days or will it last a month?

I do not store mixed saltwater, So I can not answer your question with a "what has worked for me answer." sorry.
As far as RO/DI water I make mine up 30 to 35 gallons at a time and I store it in a large 35 gallon trash can. I use the lid to keep out contaminates. It takes me about a 3 to 4 weeks to use up my water and I have tested it ( phosphates, ammonia and ppm ) and it doesn't go "bad" within that time frame.

Jim