How to fill a 50gallon tank?

[i2go]

Hey,
I have a 12 g nano , and i just used 2x 5 gallon jugs to fill up the tank. But, i am getting a 50gallon soon and i was wondering how do i fill the tank with SW? Using that red sea salt and jsut mixing it with fresh water? and 50gallon will cost about 50dollars, is there any LFS that i can get water for cheap? thanks

 

[mikedege]

Coral oasis(irvine) sells catalina water for .37 cents a gallon. May be good to fill it up the 1st time, then mix after that.

good luck, Mike

 

[Jar*Head]

I would mix the salt at home instead of multiple trip to LFS

 

[gunnwong]

how about go to the lab at newport beach there are a free ocean water there at the lab. I been using that water for almost a year now with no problem. Also with the natual sea water that mean less chemical that you have to add it to the water.
One of my friend using that water to set up the new system(100g) with cure LR, he can put the fish in the next day.

 

[d0cdave]

Systems will still cycle regardless of what water you use. Be careful. I second the NSW option. No mixing. Just supplement the water with Calcium and trace elements. Invest in a few more bottles with that 50 gallon tank. You will want to keep some water on-hand just in case. With NSW there is no guilt if you have to dump 2 week old water (I keep it longer in the dark ).

Makes the water changes easier, and it will help in case of a crash.

 

[Jar*Head]

I've found NSW has a really good level of Potassium 380-400ppm. most of the salt mix has the level of 240-260ppm except Reefer Best salt from Germany.

 

[Reefers4U]

I just got 5 jugs from the "sparkletts" dude and trek down to the local RO/DI Glacier Machine and for $1.25 get 5 gals and mix with tropic marin at home.

 

[i2go]

Ok so NSW...water from the big blue? off the coast? For the salt just fill the tank up with fresh water and add the salt add let the pump mix it?
thanks

 

[creep]

where is the lab in newport beach that offers free NSW?

 

[laverda]

Kirkoff Institute has free water when their pump is working the address is 101 Dahilia Corona Del Mar