Tell me I didn't totally SCREW UP!

[BlueDolphin]

I know that when making new saltwater it should aerate for 12-24 hours. I made about 3 gallons of saltwater last night and just let it sit in the bucket (with no lid, nor any method of aerating) overnight. Would this be harmful saltwater to use now?? I added it to my [acronym:57f793f3eb="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:57f793f3eb], which already had about 7 gallons of saltwater from my main tank in it. Is the water in my [acronym:57f793f3eb="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:57f793f3eb] now unsafe?! (There aren't any fish in my [acronym:57f793f3eb="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:57f793f3eb] yet).

[sumphead]

No I am sure it is fine from it's overnight slumber. Aeration is only part of the purpose of moving the water. If you are using [acronym:0e85da837a="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:0e85da837a]/[acronym:0e85da837a="Deionization"]DI[/acronym:0e85da837a] water moving the water will help oxygenate it as [acronym:0e85da837a="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:0e85da837a] water is very low in dissolved oxygen. The other reason is to allow it to mix completely to ensure the salt mixture is dissolved completely and all levels (pH, [acronym:0e85da837a="Alkalinity"]Alk[/acronym:0e85da837a], [acronym:0e85da837a="Specific gravity"]SG[/acronym:0e85da837a]/sality) have become stable.

[GrndHog]

Why do you say it might be unsafe? Because you aureate it?

I think your fine by using it.

[BlueDolphin]

So, is it ok that I mixed it with some of the water from my main tank for use in my [acronym:bfea25535f="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:bfea25535f] - or should I have used all water from my main?

Thanks for your replies!

[quarryshark]

I know your suppose to aerate it but I never do. I mix it well, let it sit overnight, mix it again and check the spg.
of course its going in my 210 gallon main so I don't worry too much about it. I have also changed my water in my [acronym:461632205e="quarantine or quart depending on context"]qt[/acronym:461632205e] tank with this method with no ill effects. I also keep an airstone in my [acronym:461632205e="quarantine or quart depending on context"]qt[/acronym:461632205e] tank, so it get aerated pretty quickly.

[BlueDolphin]

Thanks, quarryshark - you've set my mind at ease!

One last question - when you let it sit overnight, do you put a lid on it?

[quarryshark]

Yes I cover it, loosely, to keep the dust out but let air in. I'm not saying that what I do is the correct thing. I'm just saying that it hasn't hurt anything.
I just keep forgetting to get a new airstone when I visit my [acronym:27305b705a="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:27305b705a].
You will be fine.
You are a marine biologist? I studied (but didn't finish) marine science at Coastal Carolina College in the early 80s. Switched to business school (wish I hadn't).
Still live with the sea vicariously through my tank and my dive trips.

[BlueDolphin]

Yes, marine biology - I only have one more class to go and I'll be finished! I wish I would've taken more invert classes though (my main study focus is marine mammals), but I guess there's always time for that with grad school!

Thanks again for all your help!

[GrndHog]

Do you go to U. of West Fl? And what is your favorite [acronym:791c9c5d5f="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:791c9c5d5f] in P-Cola?

[BlueDolphin]

I do indeed go to UWF. My favorite [acronym:0a5c19a5f5="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:0a5c19a5f5] here in P-Cola is Water World!