Does anyone use natural seawater for their water changes??? I was thinking of using water from Shinnecock inlet since it's close to me and I know the water get's flushed through the inlet , so it should be pretty clean but should I worry about bacteria in the water or anything else that might be harmful to my tank. I have used natural water from Petco but I'd rather not pay $10 for 5 gal of water.
water changes with NSW from Shinnecock?
- Thread starter vyger
- Start date
That's what Joe is using for his tanks at Atlantis. I know he filters it, and makes adjustments before using it, but he gets it from Shinnecock Inlet.
I'm sure he'll chime in here, especially if I change the tilte of your thread to include "NSW"
I'm sure he'll chime in here, especially if I change the tilte of your thread to include "NSW"
Thanks...
It would be great to know if I could since I have been having problems with my tank ...algae, Zoo 's and pollups being closed up tight for nearly 2 months and have done all the normal tests but can't figure out what's up but my tank has been looking 100% better after two water changes with the natural seawater from Petco. Zoo's are looking much better and are open for the first time in a long time so that says to me that there is something wrong with my water or IO salt I am using for water changes , even tho it's R/O water and measures .001 -.002 on the TDS meter which is around 95% . I did notice that the input water from street water going in has changed from .052 to .085 for some reason. Maybe the R/O unit is letting something bad thru that I can't test for. I have changed the R/O filter 's and the membrane even tho it was less than a year old... It's very frustrating to do 20% water changes a week and watch your corals be in a state of decline all the time.
Until I can figure out what the heck is up I thought I might use natural seawater since it is showing a definite improvement....
I have been keeping reef tanks of varying sizes since the late 80's and have never had problems like this...
It would be great to know if I could since I have been having problems with my tank ...algae, Zoo 's and pollups being closed up tight for nearly 2 months and have done all the normal tests but can't figure out what's up but my tank has been looking 100% better after two water changes with the natural seawater from Petco. Zoo's are looking much better and are open for the first time in a long time so that says to me that there is something wrong with my water or IO salt I am using for water changes , even tho it's R/O water and measures .001 -.002 on the TDS meter which is around 95% . I did notice that the input water from street water going in has changed from .052 to .085 for some reason. Maybe the R/O unit is letting something bad thru that I can't test for. I have changed the R/O filter 's and the membrane even tho it was less than a year old... It's very frustrating to do 20% water changes a week and watch your corals be in a state of decline all the time.
Until I can figure out what the heck is up I thought I might use natural seawater since it is showing a definite improvement....
I have been keeping reef tanks of varying sizes since the late 80's and have never had problems like this...
I changed the title of the thread, it should catch Joe's attention now. In the meanwhile, here's a few threads that might help you.
Justjoe
New member
Did someone say NSW?!
Did someone say NSW?!
I've been using NSW for years now. My home tank used Shinnecock water, and while at the NY Aquarium we used NSW.
At AMW, we use pool sand filters to mechanically filter the new water, and the only adjustments I use for the reef tank is temperature. On some of the smaller tanks, the guys will adjust salinity as needed. We do also have a protein skimmer on the holding tank, and when its working, we'll use it and sometimes inject some ozone, but otherwise its fine to just use it as is.
You can either mechanically filter it with a cannister filter, or simply let it settle out and siphon off the clear water. Some folks will bleach the water then neutralize it as well.
Overall, the water is lower pH, alk, and Ca, but normal maintenance and additives such as kalk easily correct that.
Using NSW is much cheaper and gives you a great excuse to get out to the beach. A bilge pump with some longer leads to your car battery (or an extra battery or one of those emergency jumper battery units) will save your back, otherwise a bucket on a rope will do the trick. I'm a bit biased but I would never use ASW, especially since we live on AN ISLAND!
Any place with good water flow will be a good source of NSW.
Throw a fishing pole in the car as well and enjoy the day.
Joe
Did someone say NSW?!
I've been using NSW for years now. My home tank used Shinnecock water, and while at the NY Aquarium we used NSW.
At AMW, we use pool sand filters to mechanically filter the new water, and the only adjustments I use for the reef tank is temperature. On some of the smaller tanks, the guys will adjust salinity as needed. We do also have a protein skimmer on the holding tank, and when its working, we'll use it and sometimes inject some ozone, but otherwise its fine to just use it as is.
You can either mechanically filter it with a cannister filter, or simply let it settle out and siphon off the clear water. Some folks will bleach the water then neutralize it as well.
Overall, the water is lower pH, alk, and Ca, but normal maintenance and additives such as kalk easily correct that.
Using NSW is much cheaper and gives you a great excuse to get out to the beach. A bilge pump with some longer leads to your car battery (or an extra battery or one of those emergency jumper battery units) will save your back, otherwise a bucket on a rope will do the trick. I'm a bit biased but I would never use ASW, especially since we live on AN ISLAND!
Any place with good water flow will be a good source of NSW.
Throw a fishing pole in the car as well and enjoy the day.
Joe
Sounds great ....thank's guys
a rope and bucket sounds like it 'll work fine and as you said ...great excuse to run down to the inlet and enjoy some scenery as well as getting some water and maybe some fishing....
Looking at my tank , I can't believe how it has turned around in 2 weeks with two NSW water changes.. I'm thinking my water changes were slowly poisoning my tank with something...hmm .. not sure what tho...I didn't test for copper..
Thanks again
William
(2 many Bills)
a rope and bucket sounds like it 'll work fine and as you said ...great excuse to run down to the inlet and enjoy some scenery as well as getting some water and maybe some fishing....
Looking at my tank , I can't believe how it has turned around in 2 weeks with two NSW water changes.. I'm thinking my water changes were slowly poisoning my tank with something...hmm .. not sure what tho...I didn't test for copper..
Thanks again
William
(2 many Bills)
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