using ocean water rather than instant ocean

[Zaphod]

I am currantly using Istant ocean mix on my reef tank and was contemplating switching to ocean water that my LFS sells from catalina island off of socal. its like 78 cents a gal so that isn't too much for my 55 gal tank water changes. What are some thoughts on if this is a good idea or not.
thanks,
nick

 

[Entropy]

I was thinking about this not too long ago and my only concern is that Catalina (I love Avalon, nice place to eat, drink, and fool around with my beautiful wife ) is no where near any coral reefs. I know sea water is pretty consistant from place to place but I wonder what life forms hang out in the water off Catalina that don't exist in the South Pacific and Caribbean. On the other hand I know Sea World and a lot of Aquariums on the coast are using natural seawater, but I also know it is heavily filtered. I guess I would just test the water you are getting real well to make sure the quaility is up to good standards. I don't want to knock a LFS I have never been too, but it is awfully easy to dump a few gallons of tap water into a batch of seawater to end up with a large amount if you know what I mean.

 

[bler]

I use scripps institution of oceanography water, witch is drawn from their peir and filtered... they use it for their studies and also give it to the public for free, I know people that have been using it for years, as well as all lfs's use it and sell it

 

[HowardW]

The Petco stores in my area now carry the 5 gal. bags of Catalina Seawater for $9.99

There is also one LFS in the area that sells the Nutri-Seawater 4.4 gal. jugs, but they want $17.50 which I think is outrageous for water. Seawater shouldn't cost twice as much as a gallon of gas in my opinion, LOLOL.

I recently read an article somewhere that said the Catalina brand seawater they lab tested had very high levels of both lead and zinc, way above normal seawater specs. They said this may have been caused by the exhaust from the ships engines during the collection process or the pipes the water went through.

 

[Justin tinnin]

I use the sea water at the scripps oceanography in SD also. Its about 1 hr from where I live so I bought two 250 gallon containers. I fill one up and I pump it to the other one when i get home. They filter it through 6 huge filters. I have never had a problem with the quality. The only thing I've noticed is it is a little low on the alk and calicum but i make up for it with dosing. CANT BEAT FREE WATER

 

[ace_92101]

I've used natural seawater for many years. For those who live near the ocean, it's a great option. I've used both filtered, Scripps Pier, as well as self collected. For those on the West Coast of the US and Canada, collecting your own can get cold but it's worth it.