I currently have a 5 gallon tank, i do have some coral such as zoas, gsp, an a frogspawn, an for fish i have a small clown and a hermit crab. I want to know is it better to just buy premade saltwater or to mix my own saltwater? If its better to mix my own whats the best salt to use? As far as premade saltwater i usually buy from allpets or beverly's.
Question about premade water/self mixing
- Thread starter subbyjay
- Start date
mlivvy
em-lee-vee
Do you have an R/O?
If you have an R/O then buying salt and mixing is cheaper and no jugs to carry home.
If you don't have an R/O then it's Buying R/O water + Salt Mix + Mixing. So based on your level of lazy (it's ok i'm lazy), buying already mixed is better.
If you have had no problems using mixed water from those particular establishments then i'd recommend instant ocean or reefcrystals.
If you have an R/O then buying salt and mixing is cheaper and no jugs to carry home.
If you don't have an R/O then it's Buying R/O water + Salt Mix + Mixing. So based on your level of lazy (it's ok i'm lazy), buying already mixed is better.
If you have had no problems using mixed water from those particular establishments then i'd recommend instant ocean or reefcrystals.
Honestly for my 7 gallon I just buy bulk Walmart distilled for top off and changes. Add salt, shake and you know exactly how much to take out. I grab maybe 3 or 4 boxes of 3. Don't have to worry about ro quality and chloramine ect. And I have yet to have any negative effects and get better growth then my main tank that I use nsw for. Doubt there is any copper and if you don't have a ro unit you can make mix cheap.
rovster
New member
I was in the some scenario when I first bought my nano. I was using all pets water. Over time I realized that the all pets water was very inconsistent. That said if its working for you now, then there's no reason to change. Your tank is small enough that its probably hard to justify the purchase of an RO unit. However, if you see yourself in the hobby for the long haul,and even think you'll upgrade at some point, then you may want to consider an RO. The benefit of doing it that way is that you are in control of everything, and never have to second guess the quality of your source.
agreed, allpets is not a good source for water, (allfish emporius either). Use a reputable small aquarium shop like Coral Kingdom or Blue Seas... they will keep up with their maintenance on their RO systems... when in doubt, ask them to test it in front of you. A good shop won't bat an eye for you asking that.
Further, make sure you understand the difference between pre-made and natural saltwater. Most shops' natural saltwater will have higher salinity, so you may need to add RO before you use it. Further, most shops that have premade are using their own RO, so again make sure their RO is up to snuff, and that they are mixing the proper salinity.
ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS test your salinity and the salinity of the water going in before you use it!!! I once did a 5 gallon water change on my 18 gallon tank, then found out the instant ocean pre mix I was sold was actually mostly RO (they dumped in the salt, but it didn't have time to mix, so all the salt went to the bottom) Luckily that store had my phone number and called me the next morning.
Further, make sure you understand the difference between pre-made and natural saltwater. Most shops' natural saltwater will have higher salinity, so you may need to add RO before you use it. Further, most shops that have premade are using their own RO, so again make sure their RO is up to snuff, and that they are mixing the proper salinity.
ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS test your salinity and the salinity of the water going in before you use it!!! I once did a 5 gallon water change on my 18 gallon tank, then found out the instant ocean pre mix I was sold was actually mostly RO (they dumped in the salt, but it didn't have time to mix, so all the salt went to the bottom) Luckily that store had my phone number and called me the next morning.
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