Water - buy or mix
- Thread starter hogall
- Start date
hogall
New member
Thanks, Jim. It cost around $0.65 per gallon delieved. But, these water are from Half Moon bay, Ca. Not too sure how clean they are.
I currently have a 75gpd ro/di. Would it be a bad idea to mix the salt in the display tank then add sand and rock?
Dennis
I currently have a 75gpd ro/di. Would it be a bad idea to mix the salt in the display tank then add sand and rock?
Dennis
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13114293#post13114293 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jim_S
Buying seawater for a 300 gallon will get very expensive, and be very difficult to transport.
Invest in an RO/DI or rent a commercial DI from a local water purification place (ie culligan) and get a large reservior. Buy your salt online and mix it up yourself.
JMO
LOTUS50GOD
Active member
I have a 90 gallon/ day RO/DI.... let it run for a few days and start with clean water.
Toss in salt and a couple of power heads
Toss in salt and a couple of power heads
sfsuphysics
Active member
Oooh be VERY careful about how much you trust that water. I've heard quite a few bad stories about "Catalina" or whatever name they're using.
Not bad at all, just be careful about putting too much water in the tank
Personally I'd get 2 rubbermade trashcans (30gallons or so) put a float switch on that RO/DI unit, fill one, the floatswitch makes sure you don't overflow all over the floor
. When one can is done mix your salt up, then start filling the other. If there's nothing live in the tank (rock, sand, anything) by the time the second water fills up you probably could dump the first bucket in. Yeah it'll take time but I don't think you'd be saving anything by trying to mix it all in tank, besides you need to be ready for water changes down the road, might as well be now.
hogall
New member
Hi Mike,
I was surprise to find out the water actual come from Half Moon Bay. No way I can trust those water quality
I got a couple of 40 gallons Brut garbage cans. Just order some salt mix from Foster;8 buckets of salt with $15.00 shipping - can't beat that.
I still have sometime till my tank is complete. I guess now is a good time to start running the RO/DI. But the idea of having a truck load of seawater to fill up the tank in one day was too much to resist
Dennis
I was surprise to find out the water actual come from Half Moon Bay. No way I can trust those water quality
I got a couple of 40 gallons Brut garbage cans. Just order some salt mix from Foster;8 buckets of salt with $15.00 shipping - can't beat that.
I still have sometime till my tank is complete. I guess now is a good time to start running the RO/DI. But the idea of having a truck load of seawater to fill up the tank in one day was too much to resist
Dennis
I started my 60g with bottled water from the glacier water machine. That was a real PITA. I couldnt imagine doing my 190g that way. So I invested the ~$150 or so in a 100gpd RODI unit.... best investment Ive made so far in the hobby. I seem to keep up on my top off and water changes more regularly too, since its so convenient.
Ya I agree your best bet is with some good RO water and a good salt mix. I've tried natural and salt mixes. It all depends how long the salt water has been packaged from the ocean. I used to use ocean water all the time here in florida when I volunteered at a marine research facility, but they also had huge (13 ft high) sand filters and more to clean the water. I would be able to fully establish a cycle for a tank within days, with zero ammonia spikes. But as I do now the best bet is to make it urself. Also prepackaged saltwater that has been sitting for a while has a bad habit of having a ph rebound to 7.8 to 8.0 and its really hard raise it to 8.2-8.3.
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
Never again will I lug 5 gallon jugs around town. RODI saltwater mixing station in the works!!
Eric the half-bee
Passer of gasses
I've got a 120 gal reservoir RO/DI setup. With the rate of evaporation on my tank, I'd be getting water often.
hogall
New member
It was the best workout I have; til I pull my back out
Wow, I like that. My 75 gpd don't produce 75 gpd; it is like 50 ish. Where did you get you unit from? Can you PM me with the brand, please
I really have no idea how much water I am losing. But I like the idea of a 120 gal reservoir.
Dennis
ReefingBuddha
New member
I know a guy in my area that does large tanks for hotels and restaurants. He has a 400g tank on a trailer and has a 800g mixing vat at his store.
When I fill up my new tanks or have a major problem that requires a huge water change I get him to come out. It took all of 30 seconds to replace all the water in my 180g system last time I had a problem.
Can't remember what he charged but he's a buddy of mine so I only pay for the saltwater and it was definitely reasonable. You might be able to find the same in your area.
When I fill up my new tanks or have a major problem that requires a huge water change I get him to come out. It took all of 30 seconds to replace all the water in my 180g system last time I had a problem.
Can't remember what he charged but he's a buddy of mine so I only pay for the saltwater and it was definitely reasonable. You might be able to find the same in your area.
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