Water Water, Everywhere water

OK, So I may have just goofed big time...

So I thought I was being bright by pre mixing 2.5 gallons with my normal salt and using it to refill the evaporated water. Typically about .25" every two days.

Here is the problem.. Tonight I added a gallon or so to top off the tank and when I was done I noticed that the water smelled to high heaven, and there was even some debris at the bottom, yikes...

So my real question is ,,,,

1.) Does anyone premix water or is this just a bad idea?
2.) Did I just add some water that will harm the community ?


\Please Help..

 

well, you dont use saltwater to do top offs, when the water evaporates the salt stays in the tank, if u put more mixed water in you will raise the salenity, as for the smell, i cant really help u there!!

 

It is actually better to premix your saltwater and let is set for at least 24 hours. I keep 2 5 gallon buckets premixed each week. I also keep a 40 gallon container of RO water on hand....If you are going to premix water you should put a small powerhead in the container to keep the water aerated...

 

lol you wernt urinating in the tank like in another thread i just read?

 

\Shrug


No, No urinating...

OK, So yes I was using Salt Water, that would explain the High SG and Ca though.

I had done this a few time and neve had the smell. This bottle is not more than a week old.

Bad smell ususlly = Bactiria so I am worried I just added some bad Ju Ju...

I will probaly do a 10% change tomorrow just to be safe.


|Thanks

 

ya that should help the smell maby clean your skimmer... that can never hurt right?

 

So I did a 10% on Wednesday with over the counter Natural sea water, cleaned the Skimmer on Monday. And Tonight, added about a gallon of smely water, It didnt reallt affect the smell of the tank, but boy the container reaked. Never happened before, I have been doing it this way for about 3 weeks. Each pre mix bottle, 2 Gallons usually last a week.


I dont think I will be doing this again.


\Thanks

 

Ditto, your top off water should be fresh water.

 

Thanks All,
So I will use straight H2o for my top offs going forward, and always smell my water first... Chaulk that up to WTF was that...


\Cheers

 

Well after you make your water ' either by bucket or by barrel as i do , i keep mine agitated with 2 power heads so as not to let it settle , water that sits to long can become stagnant and i always keep a lid on my plastic 55 gallon barrel , to keep any dust, etc from getting in tthere'
I make up a 55 every time , but your only possed to add back 'in fresh" NON-salted water to your tank' the evaparated only. ( the salt stays in the tank