Actual Ocean Water

Octoberfest

Octoberfest

New member
I'm not new to the hobby but this is a newb question so I'll ask it in this forum.

I live by the ocean, about 1000' away. I'm setting up a 72 gallon bowfront and should be filling it up this week. I don't have an RO/DI unit and don't see getting one in the next couple of weeks. Is there anyway to use the water from the ocean and run it safely? I'm planning a FOWLR.

Thanks,

Josh
 
From everything that I have read you should be able to IF you go off a ways from the shore to get it. The water that is next to the shore is mor ethan likely contaminated with some really funky stuff. Also it could have freshwater in it that you dont want. If I am wrong please some one say something. Dont take my complete word for it either. If you go out to get your water from the ocean then go out a ways and take your test kit and test the water you want to use. More than likely you can find a spot about a mile or 2 off the shore that works for you. But I would suggest that you test it first. It is probably better for your tank than the synthetic is anyways cause its gonna have everything that you need Plus some added bonuses. Good luck in what ever you decide to do.
 
Depends where you live and how clean the water is.

I am lucky, and live right on a reef, so the water is just top shelf.

I would ask around your area, someone has probably tried it already.
 
If I lived near the beach I know I would!

But I agree that it would be dirtier than going way out on boat.

Just go ahead and get an empty soda pop bottle and sample some and test it using your fish tank tester kit.


Let us know the results.

Would be cool if all people would post their ocean water tests here on RC.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13037583#post13037583 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ser_renely
Depends where you live and how clean the water is.

I am lucky, and live right on a reef, so the water is just top shelf.

I would ask around your area, someone has probably tried it already.
Click to expand...


You are so super lucky!

The only concern for you is to keep the fish tank from cracking.
 
Well we're getting into a debate about it here at work and someone made a simple...but yet good point.

People say to avoid using it because of the pollutants, yet where are the best coral and fish displays in the world??? In the ocean, and reefs get boat traffic just like local beaches around here. I wouldn't get it from the surf, that's for sure.

Now I know that oils/fuels from boats could be in the water, but those should be floating on the surface since they are "lighter" than water. If the bucket was placed under the surface and the lid was put on the bucket prior to bring it up then it would reduce the amount of waste. Another option was if you had a pump rigged up to the boat and put it several feet below the surface to pump the water into your containers.

Again I don't know what the plan is, just thinking for right now.
 
I have been using real ocean water since day 1. Its cheap on the coast of Florida. Some good stuff can come with it, but some bad stuff as well.
 
Ocean water would be great if it is clean. Run off from streets, sewage drains, and other fun stuff makes the water close to shore not very pleasant. You might be fine but most east coast areas you need to go out a bit to get good clean water. Call your local fish store and ask. They will give you the scoop.
 
During the summer I get it just from shore wading out chest high when the water is warm. I would rather get it from out deeper if I could but don't want to paddle a kayak with four 5 gal buckets hanging off. I boost the salinity and PH sometimes and only use it for every other WC. It helps cut the expense of buying water (.25 gal) and salt mix at the LFS a little
 
make sure you are totaly aware of whats going into to water your collecting, look at things like nearby industry and stormwater drain outlets etc.

its better if you can jump on a boat and head away from the land but if you plan on dropping your buckets in the water and letting them fill up make sure you tie it off and dont just rely on holding onto the rope. a sudden strong current could easily yank you off your boat which would be a bad thing
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13037583#post13037583 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ser_renely
Depends where you live and how clean the water is.

I am lucky, and live right on a reef, so the water is just top shelf.

I would ask around your area, someone has probably tried it already.
Click to expand...


Do you need a roomate?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13042591#post13042591 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bruno3047
If the water looks clean enough to drink, I figure its OK.
Click to expand...

Are you serious?
 
well my tap water looks clean too... and hell I even drink it.. but I sure won't use it in my tank... and also the water at the beach looks clean too..
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13042752#post13042752 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bruno3047
Yeah, sure.

If the water looks clean enough to drink, I figure its OK - TO USE IN A TANK.
Click to expand...

That might have came off really snotty.. but what I am saying is that you should never put it in your tank just because it looks clean..

A) you should test it..

and

B) you could never see anything in the water that may be harmful for your tank.. just an example.. Chorine or Copper.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13042821#post13042821 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by calli


B) you could never see anything in the water that may be harmful for your tank.. just an example.. Chorine or Copper.
Click to expand...

I doubt that either of those would be an issue where I get my water from (see my avatar)

Just so you understand where I'm coming from.

Virtually every creature in every tank of every one who posts here on RC came from the ocean.

Not from some tank full of RO/DI water mixed in with a salt mix manufactured in some factory.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13037642#post13037642 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by foresteronw
Well we're getting into a debate about it here at work and someone made a simple...but yet good point.

People say to avoid using it because of the pollutants, yet where are the best coral and fish displays in the world??? In the ocean, and reefs get boat traffic just like local beaches around here. I wouldn't get it from the surf, that's for sure.

Now I know that oils/fuels from boats could be in the water, but those should be floating on the surface since they are "lighter" than water. If the bucket was placed under the surface and the lid was put on the bucket prior to bring it up then it would reduce the amount of waste. Another option was if you had a pump rigged up to the boat and put it several feet below the surface to pump the water into your containers.

Again I don't know what the plan is, just thinking for right now.
Click to expand...

yeah well no matter where your from there is still things that can still be in the water...

All I am saying is that you should test it before you put it in... and that you could not see if there were traces of anything bad in the water.
 
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