Question about pre-mixed salt water

[Turbosnail]

Around two weeks ago I mixed up ten gallons of water to do a pwc. I ended up not needing to do one, so I put power heads into the buckets and snapped the lids on. Today I was planing on doing a pwc and when I opened the buckets there is a bunch of white things in it. it kind of looks like a snow globe, but less white specks. Also there is a whiteish film on the sides of the bucket.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Did I do something wrong to spoil the water?

Can I still use it? (my guess would be no)

Thanks.

 

[David S]

I dont know about using it but for reference I dont think you should have snapped the lid on,I normally have saitwater mixed for a week but leave the lids ajar with a powerhead and heater.

 

[Turbosnail]

Actually that is what I did, Minus the heater, I couldn't snap them on all the way because of the cord. Otherwise I would have lol. Next time I will leave them ajar though.

 

[Gti_Leo]

i mixed up my water a week before i did my PWC a well no issues, have a heater a thermometer and powerhead in it with the lid parically on because of the cords, i have no problems at all.

was the bucket dirty?

 

[Turbosnail]

No I washed it out before I used it.and I checked on the water a week or so ago and it looked fine then.

 

[mdaniel2882]

The white stuff is probably calcium that has fallen out of solution. Sometimes old salt does that.

 

[Turbosnail]

If the calcium falls out of solution, is it bad for my tank? I am making more for tomorrow, just wondering for future reference.

 

[SAAVE853]

In my experience once you use the same rubber-maid to mix salt every time it starts to turn white over time i think it has to do with the calcium in the salt mix.

 

[Turbosnail]

Interesting. Thanks for the info guys.

 

[uscamaro]

Are you using RO water? It's always good to have some water set aside for emergencies... and putting in a heater won't hurt either, just will make you even more prepared.

 

[Turbosnail]

Yeah I think it is ro water. It is the water out of the water machine in walmart.