sea water vs. mixing

[mlivvy]

I guess we're a little fortunate in south florida to have natural sea water available. At only .50/gallon, it's a bargain too. The first time I bought some (moved here from new england) I tested everything and it seemed fine. I recently began to visit another lfs where someone there suggested that the sea water is not always a good thing to use and he prefers to mix. I'm currently running mixed and do water changes with sea water. My corals open up full as soon as I do so. What do you guys/girls do or use?

 

[tperk9784]

I know a lot of people use NSW, it's perfectly fine to get it as long as it's collected at the right times.

I mix my own only because I don't really have a way to collect and or store NSW, otherwise I would use it.

 

[ant276]

I get my water from the LFS. I do have some salt on hand just in case of emergencies though. It's a lot easier for me to pick up some salt water at the LFS; I'm there once a week anyway.

Ant

 

[Fish2reef]

I use sea water but is not just how is collected but how is stored, the best place I bought it from had a circulation pump and UV on the storage tank unfortunately they relocated.

 

[whaler1582]

NSW FTW! i have used natural ocean water as well as the LFS that i work for. he has been using it for over 7 years with no problems ever. i personally have used it for over a year and have had nothing go wrong. as long as it is collected about an hour before high tide when the water is ripping through the inlet, you are fine. other wise you take a chance on having pollutants and dirty water.
Josh

 

[ek9vboi]

I mix mine because its more convenient for me. For a larger tank (100+) I would most likely use NSW and get a big container to store it.

My tank is a 29g w/ aprox. 20g sump. I do a 5g water change every week, isnt much but it keeps the tank water in check.

 

[illal]

ive been using the nsw from exotic aquatic for about 6 months so far and im happy with it and no problems

 

[Von_Rahvin]

we fill the live well with water and bring it back form the stream. pretty easy way to get 50-70 gallons back to the house.

 

[gasman059]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9868976#post9868976 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by whaler1582
NSW FTW! i have used natural ocean water as well as the LFS that i work for. he has been using it for over 7 years with no problems ever. i personally have used it for over a year and have had nothing go wrong. as long as it is collected about an hour before high tide when the water is ripping through the inlet, you are fine. other wise you take a chance on having pollutants and dirty water.
Josh

I disagree-the only safe water is the one collected 8 miles out
BTW I USE THE SAME AS U NSW! LOL Mainly b/c i'm lazy or call it 2 busy.
Anyways mixing for me is not an option although I'm planning to get a tank and have bout 100 gallons of r/o for emergencies.
A lot of reffers mix but its always concerning with chloramine and R/o filters(not being able to remove all polutants)
The bottom line is nsw is practical for me b/c of service.

No method is 100% safe but if it works for ya why change.
BTW if u get a chance call your utilities dept and ask how they treat tap water and if a typical R/o filter has the ability to clear pollutants. The answer is A RESOUNDING NO( unless u spend some serious $ ib a R/O unit and change the filter monthly($30-50)

 

[gasman059]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9870382#post9870382 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Von_Rahvin
we fill the live well with water and bring it back form the stream. pretty easy way to get 50-70 gallons back to the house.

that the way-but 6 miles out!

 

[Von_Rahvin]

true, but we usually get atleast that far every other weekend. heck tuesday i was 10 miles off of bimini.

 

[gasman059]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9870929#post9870929 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Von_Rahvin
true, but we usually get atleast that far every other weekend. heck tuesday i was 10 miles off of bimini.

nice u should have brought me some cracked from the red dragon LOL

 

[Von_Rahvin]

ha. I'm just crew man.

 

[jessp]

i just started making my own water and primarily because it is a pita to carry it up three stories. I can see changing the di filter is gonna happen more frequently than every 6 months. already looks like it is spent after 100 gallons

 

[nyvp]

I have a guy ( larry ) deliver it 300/g a month it comes out cheaper then making it. He puts one hose in and takes out the water and when enough is out he takes another and fills it.

 

[Speckled Grouper]

Larry brings me 250g every 2 weeks. I have a pump hooked up the storage tank and a long water hose.

I use another pump and hose to pump the water out.

Water changes are now a breeze and my tank hasn't looked better since I started changing water every 2 weeks.

 

[mlivvy]

Does larry do smaller deliveries? Like 50g?

 

[gasman059]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9871538#post9871538 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nyvp
I have a guy ( larry ) deliver it 300/g a month it comes out cheaper then making it. He puts one hose in and takes out the water and when enough is out he takes another and fills it.

Same here man - great stuff. BTW can u PM his # maybe I'll use him.
What does he charge if u dont mind me asking?

 

[gasman059]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9871909#post9871909 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Speckled Grouper
Larry brings me 250g every 2 weeks. I have a pump hooked up the storage tank and a long water hose.

I use another pump and hose to pump the water out.

Water changes are now a breeze and my tank hasn't looked better since I started changing water every 2 weeks.

I NEED LARRY LOL- HOW MUCH FOR THE CHANGES?

 

[illal]

im also interested in how much and whats the minimum delivery ?