UCSB Santa Barbara NSW Natural Sea Water...

[Jim in santa barbara]

I have spoken with the staff at the upper research lab (where the spigot is) and these are non circulating systems, which means the water doesnt sit at all, as the tanks are over-flowed back to the ocean.

There is a holding tank, but it is constantly being fed and overflowed to the other tanks.

Also, this water is filtered to 20 microns.

The lower research lab (Sea Center) is now open on Saturdays and staffed with M-Bio students. 2 weeks ago - they had a octopus that has laid her eggs.

 

[Kinetic]

that's so crazy. i'm going back down to visit in a couple weeks, I'll prolly check it out.

 

[tankslave]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6622647#post6622647 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jim in santa barbara
...these are non circulating systems, which means the water doesnt sit at all, as the tanks are over-flowed back to the ocean.

you mean circulating systems?

Very good to know that, thanks for posting it. I thought that a marine bio dept wouldnt just let it sit there for weeks, they know better than that...

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Well Our local club, MASVC, just did a tour of the REEF and the NSW system at UCSB. We had a great time and got a full blown tour of the NSW system by Scott, the Manager/Staff Research Associate II, Research Experience & Education Facility (REEF). After seeing how they take care of the water and talking to Scott, there is no reason NOT to use the water. He has been there for 5 years and just about all of the animals that he keeps there were there when he got there. He uses the same water in all of their systems that is available to us at the spigot. It runs 24/7 365 days a year. No worries about red tide, run off, or "other critters" in the water.

We actually got to look down into their holding tanks. One holds about 50,000 G of Raw SW and had a ton of stuff growing on the sides of the tank. The other tank holds about 150,000 G of filtered SW and there was nothing growing in it and it was crystal clear looking down into the tank.

I know I had my doubts before about collecting during red tide or after the rains but after talking to Scott this weekend, I have no problem using the water at any time I need it.

There are some pic's from our tour on or website and our forum here.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=786355

 

[jefathome]

If any of you OC'rs are interested, they have Scripps (sp?) NSW at Window to the Sea for about $0.38 a gallon.
Pretty good stuff. All my corals and stuff really perk up after a water change.

 

[Reefski's]

since the water is filtered to 20 microns does that filter out any bacteria etc?

how long could i store this water? i can make an occasional trip to SB from LA. could i store the water for a few weeks.

too bad it is raining here again. i was going to head up tomorrow for a few hundred gallons. i guess i will hold off. how long would be good?

has anyone tested the water after the rain to see if it is affected?

Carl

 

[Kinetic]

i'm pretty sure rain doesn't affect it at all. If you read up a few posts you'll see not even red tide will give it any problems.

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Yep, after seeing the setup they have and the fact that it is a flowthru system running 24/7/365, I have no reservations of collecting water at any time. I've stored water for up to a month before with no problems. I usually go and get between 200 - 300 Gallons when I go as well.

 

[Kinetic]

Yes, there it is! Next time I go down to SB (in a couple weeks) i'm going to bring back a hundred or so gallons =)

 

[tankslave]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7102364#post7102364 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by carloskoi
since the water is filtered to 20 microns does that filter out any bacteria etc?

how long could i store this water? i can make an occasional trip to SB from LA. could i store the water for a few weeks.

too bad it is raining here again. i was going to head up tomorrow for a few hundred gallons. i guess i will hold off. how long would be good?

has anyone tested the water after the rain to see if it is affected?

Carl

it might filter out some larger bacterium...

 

[Dakota_reef]

I've been holding off on the UCSB water lately, due to the rains, but mostly becuase I tested it for phosphats and got a reading of .25 ppm!!!! Has anyone else confirmed this? Before this wave of storms, it read 0 (or un-dectected). I'm womdering if it's becuase of the storms.. and everytime it's been a 3-5 days since it's rained, it rains again

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

I haven't tested for phosphates but have used it during or after the rains. I know that they use it 24/7 and I didn't see any hair alage in any of their tanks.

 

[billyzbear]

I only use UCSB water I have never had a problem. I haven't had any algae problems, IO salt is bad will never use it again, period. I have half a bucket if anybody wants it. Well, I do believe the UCSB salinity is off. I've been keeping it at .24.

 

[SBJim]

A word of caution:

I've been using UCSB water for a year or so now with good results. However...

I picked up 2 rubbermaid bins-full on Thursday, with a plan to do a water change on Friday. On Friday, both bins had some growth in them that I've never seen before: brown circles on the plastic surfaces that were under water, ranging from the size of an eraser-head to the size of a nickel. I chucked the water, skipped the water change for this week, and am going to try again next week.

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Interesting there Jim.

I just picked up some water on Sunday and did a water change as I needed one bad. Hadn't done one in several weesk due to family matters and a well needed vacation. So far everything looks Ok in the tanks. I did a 50 % on both tanks, 300 gallons worth. Guess I'll keep my eyes open to see if anything shows up.

 

[d0cdave]

I'll pick some up tomorrow... it will sit around for about a week after I get it (normal for my schedule). I'll let you know if I see anything funky.

 

[JHReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7235705#post7235705 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SBJim
A word of caution:

I've been using UCSB water for a year or so now with good results. However...

I picked up 2 rubbermaid bins-full on Thursday, with a plan to do a water change on Friday. On Friday, both bins had some growth in them that I've never seen before: brown circles on the plastic surfaces that were under water, ranging from the size of an eraser-head to the size of a nickel. I chucked the water, skipped the water change for this week, and am going to try again next week.

Did you test it before you tossed it? Just curious.

 

[Dakota_reef]

Just picked up some water, and rested a .25 ppm phosphate level. Same level I tested a couple of weeks ago. I got 0 before that wave of storms hit us, so I'm wondering if that has anything to do with it. I'll just have to filter them out before I use it. Anyone else have phosphate issues?

 

[SBJim]

I didn't test it before I chucked it. I did take pics of the growth, however, and will post tonight when I get home.

 

[SBJim]

Here's that pic from last week. I had the exact same growth in 2 different bins, so I'm pretty sure it was the water.

I got a new batch yesterday, and just did a water change, so if you hear no screams of horror, it's now doing just fine.

The picture makes me cautious. Definitely letting it sit at least overnight from now on before using it.