UCSB Santa Barbara NSW Natural Sea Water...

[JHReef]

I use Kalk drip and B-ionic 2 part. I've alse been experimenting with Sea Lab 28. It's a trace element supplement block that you dump into the sump or in a filter. Since they (UCSB) filter the water so well, it does lose some trace elements, but nothing you can't easily fix. FWIW, I just dump it in when I do changes and let things settle for a couple of days before I add anything. The oceans are all pretty much the same, so no worries about the difference in water in SB vs. Fiji except temp. It's still way better than Catalina water. HTH

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

I use mine straight out of the bucket, don't add a thing. When I add my top off water, I'll alternate between calicum, buffer and trace elements. My corals always seem to perk up when I do a water change so I think it's a good sign and the water is fine.

 

[shy07guy]

Just FYI you may want to test the water for PO4 ocassionally. I know of at least one time that it was off the charts not saying its not good water just know that it has not always been perfect.

 

[JHReef]

I'm curious if that PO4 spike was after some of those major rains we had this winter/spring? I've gotten so used to the excellent quality of the water, I hardly even check the salinity anymore.

 

[shy07guy]

I can not remember at all but it could have been during the winter after a rain.

 

[JHReef]

Well, probably not a bad idea to test it a little more often anyway.

 

[Lo0seR]

You can take as much from Scripps as you want, all they ask you to do is let them know in advance for large amounts (like tanker amounts) so that they know whats going on. As far as that, take all that you need for your own personal use. It's a nice plus thats for sure for all the reefer people here S.D. .

 

[CamBarr]

What about filtration??? Is the water filtered?

 

[Jim in santa barbara]

What about filtration??? Is the water filtered?

The water from UCSB is filtered to 20 microns and is pulled from 500 yds out. I avoid using it after heavy rains due to the slough runoff but have never had problems with it.

Its funny how many RC'ers I run into down there.

 

[CamBarr]

Uv, or chemical??? What about dissolved toxins I can tell you from being in the wholesale side of the industry that Catalina can come in bad.
High PO4 and who knows what else (lb harbor).

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

I've been using the UCSB water for several years now and have never had any problems with it. I don't check for phosopates though. I also will wait a while after a heavy rain before I go and collect it. I just filled up a 500 G system with it and so far, all seems to be doing fine.

I know that when I switched to the NSW in my 45 reef, my corals started looking a lot better and opening up more. And that was the only thing I changed, from IO to NSW. I have noticed that when I do a W/C with NSW, the corals respond quicker to it than they ever did with and synthetic salt.

Plus I can get 300 G of water for 20 dollars in gas. Try doing that with buying RO at 25 cents a gallon and the cost of the salt.

 

[Pistonkev]

Wow I feel like such a dumb *** I just found this water today.

 

[number1jon]

Here is a link about the water filtration/collection system.

http://www.lifesci.ucsb.edu/eemb/facilities/marine/seawater/seawater.php

I found out about that water last week and I am so glad to not have to pay anymore for 20 gallons a week. Now I can waste it all on fish and corals.

 

[liusteven]

Gas fuel is not worth it for me to get "free" water...

 

[Kinetic]

i went to ucsb for 4 years and never knew about this! now I'm living back up north!

 

[oosurfin]

if you go and get say 300g it may be worth it. make a day trip out of it and go to the casino

 

[Kinetic]

well my g/f goes to ucsb still, so when I come and visit her I'll bring back a bunch.

 

[cayecaulker]

I went for the 1st time Sat. and filled up about 80 gallons. My tank looks great! The only down-side to the UCSB water is how cold it comes out. I have to warm it up almost 20 degrees. Oh well, for 10 dollars in gas... its totally worth it.

 

[Kinetic]

good stuff! any pix of your tank with the NSW?

 

[cayecaulker]