would you use water from the source . . .

[iLLwiLL]

If you lived 5 minutes away from the ocean? I'm about to start a 300 gallon system and a 25% water change is all of a sudden 75 gallons. I have a mixing station set up now, but its only two 34 gallon roughnecks (1 for fresh and 1 for salt mix) and its kind of a pain to make and mix water. I have family with a house right on the water with a nice long dock I could collect saltwater from when the tide is coming in.

I have a truck and plenty of storage totes / barrels with lids that should make things go a little easier, and I could get a large 200+ gallon storage tote for the house. So far I have only tested the salinity of where i want to collect and its right at 1.026, next time I'm around that way i'll get another sample and test for everything else.

How bad could this water really be? I have heard all the rumors about it being nasty and polluted, but has anyone ever come across or experienced first hand problems with collecting salt water?

thanks.

~Will.

 

[jmking33]

I wouldnt use seawater,,,u never know whats in it. also....does your family let reefcentral users use the house for the weekend? ha ha

 

[smpolyp]

Natural seawater is much better than man made salt. I would take a few steps of treatment if you are going to use the incoming tide from land. UV,carbon and a fine micron filter. Or the cheaper way is dose chlorine, let it sit a day then use a fine micron filter and carbon. It would be better to collect it offshore and down 10+ feet. No matter what it will take some extra work, but it is worth it compared to synthetic salt. And yes I use to use natural sea water when I use to live near the Ocean and new several others that did too.

 

[bagged87blayzer]

If you test for everything and it comes out normal I do not see a problem. If you are going to have a reef also check for copper. Check for everything.

 

[Paul B]

I have been using it right out of the New York Atlantic for 40 years. Maybe I will see a problem after 41 years when my tank is cycled :fun2:

 

[lifesworksataol]

is it going to be a 300 gallon sps tank? if not then just test the water and be ready for strange things growing in your tank. make sure you have it up to temp or dont change so much at once. that is a big thing when doing so much of a water change that i have seen people do with ocean water. when you go diving the corals do not look like they do when they are in our tanks. i know its mostly do to our lights, but who knows.

my 2 cents =D lol

 

[reeferfriendly]

it seems to me by the time you get more storage, then go out and collect it ,then you have to test it and then treat it and then hope NO nuisance hitch a ride wouldnt it be alot easier and cheaper to make it at home?

 

[Paul B]

wouldnt it be alot easier and cheaper to make it at home?

Yes of course, but fake water is no where as good as real water.

 

[iLLwiLL]

The setup is going to be a 180 with a 125 sump, mostly LPS and softies with a few easy SPS. I want to start doing more water changes than i have been opposed to dosing to see if that helps growth any. Also I had a disaster a few months ago when someone at a party thought my labeled RO/Di storage trash can with a duct taped lid was great a pace to throw cigarette butts.

I really dont think collecting would be all that much more hassle than making it at home, and in the long run it will amount to savings which is never a bad thing. Anyone know of a pump I could get for something like this? One that can run dry while its priming it self with enough umph so that I won't spend the day trickling ocean water into totes?

~Will.

 

[jahleon]

U should definitely test the water first. I have use it once on a ten gallon on it work fine years ago. Small water change overtime is the best option to me

 

[francis1123]

i use ocean water, as does most of the san diego reefers, that is filtered through sand filters. i've never had any issues. i love having free filtered ocean water! i say go for it, it would be easy enough to run the water through a micron sock filter, or even a simple sand filter to pull out the big junk.

 

[TorryRx]

FWIW...
I used NSW when I lived in West Palm Beach.
I use ASW now that I'm landlocked in Orlando.

My tank was significantly happier and healthier when I used NSW.

I say go for it!

 

[Bullredchaser]

What Torry said.The water in SE Florida is great for tanks.Especially for acros.But the water around central and North Florida not so good.If you go in the Gulf Stream you coud pull it anywhere and it would be better then any salt water you could make.