a big bucket of water

[theoldman]

I have one of those large blue barrels (not sure how many gallons it will hold) and my intention is to store RO/DI water in it. It has a black lid that although it is no watertight I believe it is quite airtight.

I want to store water in it and as I need saltwater I will transfer what I need into a bucket and mix accordingly.

My concern is since the RO water in this bucket will not be used all at once will it become contaminated from just sitting there?

What is the longest time I should keep RO water?

Any thoughts on this subject?

[dillan]

i would think as long as you keep the water airated it could be kept for years.

[Amphibious]

I have four 55 gallon blue barrels I use for the same purpose. Some of my water is 2 years old. No need to aerate the water in storage. It gets aerated when you mix it with salt and ready it for use. The thing you have to be sure of is that the barrels have not been used for anything toxic. Blue barrels are an indication of "food grade" containers BUT, you need to be sure. Usually their is a label of contents on the outside.

[theoldman]

I have four 55 gallon blue barrels I use for the same purpose. Some of my water is 2 years old. No need to aerate the water in storage. It gets aerated when you mix it with salt and ready it for use. The thing you have to be sure of is that the barrels have not been used for anything toxic. Blue barrels are an indication of "food grade" containers BUT, you need to be sure. Usually their is a label of contents on the outside.

thanks
That was a concern of mine. I did not know whether I would need to airrate or not. Glad to hear that aeration is not necessary. I believe that the barrels were new. They certainly seem to be.

[Skurvey Dog]

Hello Ole Man Dick is correct on the color code for the barrels. There are also "reconditioned" barrels on the market also that look like brand new, but they should state as such. You can also have a valve faucet or "pour spicket" installed on the barrel also, depending on how you store it and what your needs are. Hope that helps.

[theoldman]

Hello Ole Man Dick is correct on the color code for the barrels. There are also "reconditioned" barrels on the market also that look like brand new, but they should state as such. You can also have a valve faucet or "pour spicket" installed on the barrel also, depending on how you store it and what your needs are. Hope that helps.

Having a pour spicket on the bucket would make life a lot easier.
I wonder where I could find such a thing here in Canada?

One more question: Do you keep the lid on the barrel?

[CarmieJo]

I think you should be able to get something like these Home Wine Making Plastic Spigots: Fallbright the Winemakers Shoppe. I know that this is a US company but I expect that there are wine making shops in Canada.