Long term water storage

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wagner7123
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Long term water storage

Post by wagner7123 »

I have been considering creating a water storage container for water changes. I perform 5 gallon water changes every two weeks. The plan is to have enough water mixed to cover me for a year. 150 gallons will cover all scheduled changes and there would be enough to compensate for some unanticipated use as well. I am in the military so when I deploy I would like to make the tank associated chores as minimal as possible for my wife. If she could just walk out to the garage open a tap and get 5 gallons when needed that would be super convenient. I've come up with this:
A 150-gallon tank would cost about $300 and the stand would be another $150. The cost for a Mag drive 5 for circulation is $80 and $200 for JBJ 800 watt true temp digital controller and heater. Total setup cost about $750.
I'll be getting out of the military in about 4 years. At that time I will be buying a more permanent home and I would like to plumb this system into my tank so all I would have to do is press a button and water would drain from the tank to the sewer and then pump in from the storage tank.

My concern is how long can I really store pre-mixed water? Will it deteriorate over time or start to grow algae or something? What other options do I have that would produce the same end user result?

Thanks for your help.

Matt
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Re: Long term water storage

Post by Pufferpunk »

You're going to have to keep it moving. I have mine stored in a 33g Brute can--always ready for a WC on my reef tanks. As soon as I use it for a WC, I start making another one. It takes about 10 hours to fill the bucket with RODI water.

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You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

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JRC3
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Re: Long term water storage

Post by JRC3 »

What size is the tank you are changing out at 5g every 2 weeks? We talking FW, BW, or SW?
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wagner7123
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Re: Long term water storage

Post by wagner7123 »

The tank is 29 gallons, with a 10 gallon sump, actual total water volume is around 34 gallons. The tank is full marine with mixed corals.
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JRC3
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Re: Long term water storage

Post by JRC3 »

wagner7123 wrote:The tank is 29 gallons, with a 10 gallon sump, actual total water volume is around 34 gallons. The tank is full marine with mixed corals.
I had to ask that ?

I'm sure the full marine members will be around soon. I'm guessing LR, and other quetions are gonna ne asked.


Good luck on the tank and mostly on your deployment.
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Re: Long term water storage

Post by RTR »

PP's respose is much like my own practices. I do strongly prefer pre-mixed, aerated and tempered water for all tank uses, whether FW, BW, or SW. The advantages are many, but extremely long-term storage is not desirable IME and IMHO. Long term water storage undergoes changed related to evaporation (which is unavoidable). Water storage for tank use need not be stored long-term. Such water would not be the best for tank use. In my opinion, anything beyold a month would require radically different processing - essentially it would need to be sterilized and bottled.

Don't shoot yourself in the foot. One to two week's supply provides ample margin for safety.
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