Pre mixed salt water

[Cornishlass]

Would you buy salt water from your local aquatics shop? My local offers two types of ready mixed salt water.

 

[inthedeep2]

only if its with rodi water

 

[heathlindner25]

I would start mixing your own, that way you know exactly what's going in. Some times the fish stores won't change the filters in a timely manner, sometimes they mix a little light on the salt, never cleaning the mixing containers..... lots of reasons

 

[gone fishin]

I would start mixing your own, that way you know exactly what's going in. Some times the fish stores won't change the filters in a timely manner, sometimes they mix a little light on the salt, never cleaning the mixing containers..... lots of reasons

I agree if at all possible make your own. I don't know about the weather you get there in the UK but, mucking buckets around over snow and ice is a disaster waiting to happen. It only took me once landing on my back to get an RO/DI.

 

[kmbyrnes]

I began making my own within a month of starting this hobby. Schlepping containers and paying too much for water were not my favorite parts of the hobby.
Now I just hate cleaning skimmer cups.

 

[ReefsandGeeks]

The only time it may be worth lugging water around is if you have a pico tank and can't justify spending the money upfront when you really only ever need a few gallons on hand. The cost of the RODI and the room to store it and your water containers are the only things that may make it not an option. IMO, anything over a 10G tank makes sense to have an RODI. It'll pay for itself in both convenience and money

 

[Cornishlass]

I trust the local shop. You can see behind the scenes to check cleanliness etc. And its Red Sea mixed with RO. Its cheap too at only 10p per ltr. I'm really short on space at home.

 

[Tanthaitrung]

i would start mixing your own, that way you know exactly what's going in. Some times the fish stores won't change the filters in a timely manner, sometimes they mix a little light on the salt, never cleaning the mixing containers..... Lots of reasons

+1

 

[RonMc]

I have a company service my tank once a month and they are only allowed to put my mixed salt water into the tank during water changes.
This allows me to have more control of the tank health and stability by knowing every step the water has been through.

 

[Cornishlass]

Ok. I might have to re think then. Would buying RO and mixing the salt myself be better?

 

[alcimedes]

Ok. I might have to re think then. Would buying RO and mixing the salt myself be better?

In my mind there are a few advantages.

1. It's cheaper to make it vs. buy it.
2. You know the exact salinity for sure when you make it yourself.
3. You know the quality of the RODI water going into the mix, so your TDS readings are for known salt only.
4. You avoid the temptation of walking through the pet store.
5. If you need to do an emergency water change for any reason, you can actually make it on the spot in a pinch.
6. You can keep a water change's worth of water on hand so it's well aged before going into your tank.
7. You can keep your ATO topped off easily with your own RODI water.

 

[ssick92]

in my mind there are a few advantages.

1. It's cheaper to make it vs. Buy it.
2. You know the exact salinity for sure when you make it yourself.
3. You know the quality of the rodi water going into the mix, so your tds readings are for known salt only.
4. You avoid the temptation of walking through the pet store.
5. If you need to do an emergency water change for any reason, you can actually make it on the spot in a pinch.
6. You can keep a water change's worth of water on hand so it's well aged before going into your tank.
7. You can keep your ato topped off easily with your own rodi water.

+7... Or well I guess +6. I like walking through the LFS and finding my next prized coral :bounce3: