|
|
Post by Sean (90 reef, fw rack sys) on Oct 15, 2014 10:49:59 GMT -5
Has anyone ever considered using natural seawater for a reef system? I drive over the ocean (literally Deer Isle/Stonington bridge) 2-3 times a week, and decided after a DEVESTATING tank crash (75 gallons of saltwater on second floor hardwoods really SUCKS!) that I need to find a way to recover some costs. I currently have a 15 gallon spare tank set up using ONLY water collected from the channel (offshore) that flows under this bridge. I ran tests on pure water and all perameters are good besides that sg is a little low at 1.020 and calcium is low. In the tank are the blue damsel and coral banded shrimp that were in the reef tank (too aggresive, didn't want back in system) and they are acting fine. Thinking of trying some expendable corals (star polyps, mushrooms) and see how they react. Here's where your opinion comes in! Would you use this water in a system if given the option. I'm thinking if I add a little reef crystals to bring up sg and calcium. I just have a a fear of introducing something to the tank that could outweigh the savings from buying mix.
|
|
|
|
Post by jasonandsarah on Oct 15, 2014 11:12:44 GMT -5
I'd run through a Uv sterilizer and sediment filter use . Then use cheaper products to up the Cal and sg if it's about saving money.
For Cal and alk you can use pickling lime (kalk)
And I think you can use Epsom salt for sg? Could be wrong on that though? Research it more because there's a ton of info on how you can add these things very cheaply.
Imo buying in bulk from bulk reef (2 part) would still be cheaper. Dr fosters and Smith has really cheap Cal, alk and mag as well.
There's another thread Right on this site about it and I believe a couple people are already using Nsw.
Sent from my SM-N900R4 using proboards
|
|
|
|
Post by Sean (90 reef, fw rack sys) on Oct 15, 2014 14:39:53 GMT -5
Thanks! Just searched it and it was Rune right here in bangor. I'll pm him
|
|
|
|
Post by maineultraclassic on Oct 16, 2014 11:03:55 GMT -5
I'd be afraid of pollutants too............coastal ocean water is pretty nasty, it's nature's protein skimmer.
I'm less then a mile from the ocean, and no way would I use it in my system.
Most of the commercial operations that sell NSW to the public suck it from many miles out from shore, on the bottom of the sea bed.
|
|
|
|
Post by BriMc on Oct 16, 2014 11:39:54 GMT -5
When I get NSW I get mine from a friend who fishes 2 miles out. He fills a 55 gallon plastic drum for me.
|
|
|
|
Post by moulton712 on Oct 16, 2014 11:42:58 GMT -5
If you dose, please don't cheap out on quality products. (Doesnt mean you have to buy the most expensive name brand) stay away from fuval at all costs
|
|
|
|
Post by BriMc on Oct 16, 2014 11:46:00 GMT -5
I have been using Fluval for the past two months with very good results why do you say to stay away?
|
|
|
|
Post by jasonandsarah on Oct 16, 2014 11:53:31 GMT -5
If you dose, please don't cheap out on quality products. (Doesnt mean you have to buy the most expensive name brand) stay away from fuval at all costs Cheapest to buy these things is Brs and Dr F&S. They both sell bulk 2 part very reasonably priced. Sent from my SM-N900R4 using proboards |
|
|
|
Post by BriMc on Oct 16, 2014 12:12:59 GMT -5
Reefers up North should jump on one of the store tours when we go to Dong's your mouth would drop over his set up and also the method he uses. 0 additives, 0 for Ro or DI water, water comes right out of the tap sets for a few hours with Chloramine and Chlorine remover ( he uses the cheapest he can find ) Salt ( what ever is the cheapest and on sale ) I do use Calcium, Alk, and Mag additives because I pulled my Calcium reactor off line anticipating going to the bigger tank. I was using Seachem originally but it was getting expensive so I have been using Fluval that Petco had on clearance, I think I bought three stores out of their stock  |
|
|
|
Post by jasonandsarah on Oct 16, 2014 12:47:50 GMT -5
I used to use fluval and seachems but I bought a 45$ brs 2 part and it's lasted me forever! Only thing I had to re up on was Cal.
1 brs 2 part should last a smaller tank a year plus.
Sent from my SM-N900R4 using proboards
|
|
|
|
Post by gotareef on Oct 16, 2014 15:08:11 GMT -5
Reefers up North should jump on one of the store tours when we go to Dong's your mouth would drop over his set up and also the method he uses. 0 additives, 0 for Ro or DI water, water comes right out of the tap sets for a few hours with Chloramine and Chlorine remover ( he uses the cheapest he can find ) Salt ( what ever is the cheapest and on sale ) I do use Calcium, Alk, and Mag additives because I pulled my Calcium reactor off line anticipating going to the bigger tank. I was using Seachem originally but it was getting expensive so I have been using Fluval that Petco had on clearance, I think I bought three stores out of their stock sure wish the city filtered my water for me but until then I will filter my well water myself. the best part is no need to use chemicals to remove the chlorine, fluoride...... they put in city water |
|
|
|
Post by BriMc on Oct 16, 2014 15:27:30 GMT -5
I used to use fluval and seachems but I bought a 45$ brs 2 part and it's lasted me forever! Only thing I had to re up on was Cal. 1 brs 2 part should last a smaller tank a year plus. Sent from my SM-N900R4 using proboards I bought 30 bottles of the calcium and 30 bottles of the Alk for 60.00 and then 22 bottles of the mag at 1.50 a bottle. So I guess this will keep me stocked for a bit.  |
|
