just set up a new 55g barrel for water changes its a poly barrel and had magnesium sulfate in it and was very clean. I rinsed it out cleaned it with bleach and rinsed again. I set it up with a bulkhead through the middle connected to a 1" pipe with a valve to the sump. I have a float valve on it. When i do a water change the plan is to open the rodi valve and fill it overnight I will add the salt and let it stir with a mag 12 for 24 hours. I can then open the valve and it will gravity feed the sump. My question is, the bottom of the barrel has a ring around the outside that will hold water, seems like it will hold about a gallon, will this be ok to leave in there till next time or will I have to clean it dry every time?
You have a pic of the barrel. I don’t understand why a ring on the outside of the barrel would have water in it.
Lol I meant the outside part of the inside. Sorry verdict_in
Guess you gonna have to take pictures. I don’t understand either. ??? >LOCO<
The drain inside the container isn’t at the lowest point. So when the water is all drained there’s still water left inside the container. About 1-2 gallons. I’m just wondering if that water that won’t drain will get nasty for the next water change?
Oh OK. In my opinion I don’t see why you can’t. Especially when you keep a lid on it so that nothing else will get into it. You check the salinity every time you do new salt water anyways right? just worry about salt concentration when when you keep adding salt when you do new salt water.
i just didn’t want the water to get nasty sitting in there for a month. I will fill it with rodi and measure how much salt it takes to get to 1.026 and mark how much to make it easier. I figure i’ll fill it all the way with fresh and then add salt. I usually add a bunch of salt then dilute with water but then the container gets all dirty.
[quote=“dunk, post:7, topic:5687”]
I usually add a bunch of salt then dilute with water but then the container gets all dirty.[/quote]
You should always do it the opposite way. If the salinity increases too much even for a microsecond calcium will precipitate and now be able to be used by your aquarium inhabitants.
If you add freshwater to a container mostly sealed it should be ok. However I personally would recommend doing water changes more then once a month. Just my two cents.
Is it at all possible to connect plumbing to the inside of the tank so it pulls water from the bottom allowing it to empty further? Picture would help, but if it is a bulkhead or a uniseal you should be able to connect fittings or pipe to the inside.
It is draining from the bottom and drains 99% of the water. But there is a 1.5" deep ring on the outside that holds some water.
Add freshwater, close the container, and you should be fine in my opinion.
[quote=“Gordonious, post:8, topic:5687”]
[quote=“dunk, post:7, topic:5687”]
I usually add a bunch of salt then dilute with water but then the container gets all dirty.[/quote]
You should always do it the opposite way. If the salinity increases too much even for a microsecond calcium will precipitate and now be able to be used by your aquarium inhabitants. [/quote]
Jon
I am assuming that is why i sometimes see a white powder/film attached to the side of my trash can when i am preparing water for water changes. If i start with how much water i want to change and slowly increase the salinity to the desired level will this prevent the calcium from precipitating out?
[quote=“mortyn02, post:11, topic:5687”]
Jon
I am assuming that is why i sometimes see a white powder/film attached to the side of my trash can when i am preparing water for water changes. If i start with how much water i want to change and slowly increase the salinity to the desired level will this prevent the calcium from precipitating out?[/quote]
Hard to say exactly what it is, but it could be. It is best to add the salt slowly to 0ppm TDS RODI water at 75*F or greater and mix vigorously at first then continuously for 12+hours. With many salts there is always something left behind in the mixing reservoir. There are some brands of salt that don’t leave as much behind and become clear much faster.(this is NOT a good indicator of a good brand, these are often low in Ca and Mg.)
Adding the dry mix too fast or allowing the salinity to get too high at any given point will result in precipitation.
I didn’t know you could store saltwater without a power head in there. I may just keep the container full and ready. Maybe put a timer on a pump inside there and cycle it throughout the day. Before while I was adding water I would just dump in a few cups and add water. Now I will add salt last.
[quote=“dunk, post:14, topic:5687”]
Maybe put a timer on a pump inside there and cycle it throughout the day.[/quote]
This is what I like to do when working with an account I am not at twice a week. Or one large pump to mix thoroughly for several hours and then a tiny little pump(like a maxijet 400 or minijet) to keep things turned over.