Real salt water
- Thread starter rupie78
- Start date
drummereef
Team RC
This site is known internationally. 
Gdevine
Premium Member
I live live in South Florida just north of Miami. Our waters are tropical so many of us use real sea water in our tanks.
I can only tell you my results first hand as there are differing opinions about the use of real sea water.
First off, it has to be tropical water. You can't use sea water say from the state of New Jersey. No hit on the Garden State, but it's not tropical water.
My 65g is thriving beyond my expectations. The use of real sea water here where I live is a common practice. Just make sure you pull the water at or near high tide and NEVER after a rain or a storm.
Other then that, go for it as my tank as well as many other thousands or others where I live use real (tropical) sea water all the time.
Your fish will luv you and so will your corals
I can only tell you my results first hand as there are differing opinions about the use of real sea water.
First off, it has to be tropical water. You can't use sea water say from the state of New Jersey. No hit on the Garden State, but it's not tropical water.
My 65g is thriving beyond my expectations. The use of real sea water here where I live is a common practice. Just make sure you pull the water at or near high tide and NEVER after a rain or a storm.
Other then that, go for it as my tank as well as many other thousands or others where I live use real (tropical) sea water all the time.
Your fish will luv you and so will your corals
Last edited:
Kengaroo131
Fish Crazy
i want to go to Australia sooo badly haha yea like gdevine said i cant use the water up here but im sure you can get away with it fine.(you guys are lucky)
Gdevine
Premium Member
We are very lucky here in South Florida; and we know it.
I spent my life living is Southern New Jersey and actually was a life guard in Ocean City New Jersey Beach Patrol when I was in college.
We have real reefs just minutes off the shore wear I live in Pompano Beach, it's crazy living in a place where people go to vacation!
But the sea water quality is unreal.
Honest to God, my tank is out of control. The coral growth is crazy and the fish, snails and all other inhabitants are thriving.
I think there is a water you can buy that is ready to go that has all the propertites of real sea water that can do the same thing. In fact, there are many here that think all they are really selling is real sea water at the end of the day!
Hi,
Just an little info (not tank related-sorry) from an absolute aquarium beginner, but if you must use only tropical water, Dapto is not tropical, neither is sydney (where I'm from). A lot of our LFS's sell sea water that gets collected offshore. Not sure whether it is good or not. Just letting the USA aqua-geniuses know a little about our geography. I'm pretty sure you will find a ripper answer here.
Good luck
Just an little info (not tank related-sorry
) from an absolute aquarium beginner, but if you must use only tropical water, Dapto is not tropical, neither is sydney (where I'm from). A lot of our LFS's sell sea water that gets collected offshore. Not sure whether it is good or not. Just letting the USA aqua-geniuses know a little about our geography. I'm pretty sure you will find a ripper answer here.Good luck
dapto water
dapto water
Yeah my water is not tropical but its still fine to use I get it from a place called bass point real clearplace good for scuba diving but the strange thing is I have to dilute it to get the right saltlevels. And yes i never get it after rain which is why i am in a bit of trouble at the momment as i need to get water this week and we have had drought breaking storms here with all the water running to the sea hope to get a clear break ina few days to get some clean water. and as i said awesome site ha my wife is hassling me that i am on here so often reading this stuff.
dapto water
Yeah my water is not tropical but its still fine to use I get it from a place called bass point real clearplace good for scuba diving but the strange thing is I have to dilute it to get the right saltlevels. And yes i never get it after rain which is why i am in a bit of trouble at the momment as i need to get water this week and we have had drought breaking storms here with all the water running to the sea hope to get a clear break ina few days to get some clean water. and as i said awesome site ha my wife is hassling me that i am on here so often reading this stuff.
Shagsbeard
New member
Many universities have filtered natural sea water available. I can get as much as I want... for free. It's just that it's a 30 mile drive to the tap, and that's too far to make it worthwhile, unless I'm filling an entire tank or something.
Re: dapto water
Re: dapto water
You should be able to use the water right out of the ocean. Remember everything in your tank comes from natural salt water.
Also I see you only have a few posts so
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>
Re: dapto water
You should be able to use the water right out of the ocean. Remember everything in your tank comes from natural salt water.
Also I see you only have a few posts so
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>
hairymushroom
New member
I use NSW myself, on really clear days I just heat it up and do may thing.. When the water's slightly off colour I run it through some carbon and filter floss just for piece of mind before adding it to my tank.
Just avoid collecting from areas near river mouths/ storm water drains where there could be any contamination etc..
Just avoid collecting from areas near river mouths/ storm water drains where there could be any contamination etc..
dougie
Member
Re: Real salt water
AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE! :thumbsup:
I know a few people with beautiful tanks who take water from,
Swansea Heads ( Newcastle ), and also Terrigal Haven ( Central Coast). But Id try Bondi, or other North Shore Beaches.
Also Dont waste your time looking for an Australian reef site, Where already on the BEST one!
Cheers, Dougie
AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE! :thumbsup:
I know a few people with beautiful tanks who take water from,
Swansea Heads ( Newcastle ), and also Terrigal Haven ( Central Coast). But Id try Bondi, or other North Shore Beaches.
Also Dont waste your time looking for an Australian reef site, Where already on the BEST one!
Cheers, Dougie
Hey Rupie.
For an Aussie site, try MASA (Marine Aquarium Society of Australia).
They can be found at http://www.masa.asn.au/phpBB2/ (Reefing The Australian Way).
For an Aussie site, try MASA (Marine Aquarium Society of Australia).
They can be found at http://www.masa.asn.au/phpBB2/ (Reefing The Australian Way).
hairymushroom
New member
Wilsonh,
That's a juvi queen angel there..
For piece of mind you guys using NSW down there might want to test the more important parameters ( pH, nitrate, phosphate, calcium, alkalinity) especially if you're going to be using it in a SPS system with sensitive inverts.
That's a juvi queen angel there..
For piece of mind you guys using NSW down there might want to test the more important parameters ( pH, nitrate, phosphate, calcium, alkalinity) especially if you're going to be using it in a SPS system with sensitive inverts.
Saltwater_Dog
New member
I disagree with Gdevine. The water does not have to be tropical to work. I live on an Island in south louisiana and have been using the water here for years. This water is far from tropical and has been working just perfect.
