Natural seawater

[OCELLARIS]

good day Sara

is the use of natural seawater safe for saltwater tank use instead of the synthetic salt mixes?

 

[sihaya]

good day Sara
is the use of natural seawater safe for saltwater tank use instead of the synthetic salt mixes?

Yes and no... it's better in some ways (being the "real" thing), but there is some risk of introducing things (pests, etc.) you don't want. I would use a UV sterilizer... or perhaps just a diatom filter to remove larvae, "bugs," etc. On the other hand, some of that stuff (microplankton) might actually serve as quality food for your corals and other tank life. So how's this for a vague answer, huh? I would say it's "safe" but has some risks you could likely manage with additional care/filtration.

 

[IMarine]

Yes i agree with Sihaya a uv light will to the trick, but watch out for phosphates,we got a problem with phos in cpt from 2 oceans,otherwise speak to mekaeel he has a great system going on seawater

 

[OCELLARIS]

hi thanx guys

i think ill stick to synthetic salt mix just to be on a safer side,
thanx for your help guys ....

 

[Shaun]

The problem with NSW is the unpredictable quality of the water, after heavy rains etc.

 

[Andreas]

The problem with NSW is the unpredictable quality of the water, after heavy rains etc.

so rather keep an eye on the weather and only collect when the conditions are right

 

[OCELLARIS]

ok, but is there a way that you could cleanup the NSW before puting it into your tank?

 

[jacquesb]

Yes - Occelaris - run a small skimmer in the container (if possible), or pump through a sediment filter (standard water filter). You can also run it through a UV sterilizer before pumping it through the sediment filter. IF YOU LIKE.

Me - I just leave the water for a few weeks that the die off settles at the bottom, and then siphon it out of my 25 litre drums into my tank's sump.

 

[OCELLARIS]

i like your method more, so if i leave it for weeks then would it be considered more safer, would nitrate, nitrite and amonium levels not be high in that water due to the die off?

 

[mandarinman]

i use nsw for financial reasons, i do not filter it.. it is fine and i collect it myself near blouberg in the cape. if u are scared of introduction of bugs just think of the frags and fish and what u introduce with them.

 

[OCELLARIS]

hi mandarinman
yes i too would like to use nsw but was skeptic about the bugs ect
but i also wanted to use nsw as its more a natural environmental element
fpr the fish, im going to run a FOWLR tank and ive also considered nsw to be a cheaper option for me, did you experience any problems with the nsw in your tanks?
could you tell me how long after you collect the water do you use it? do you run a test on the water before introducing it to your tank?
thanx

 

[Mekaeel]

so rather keep an eye on the weather and only collect when the conditions are right

Exactly what i do.and i use it in under an hour after collecting to allow minimal die off.

 

[OCELLARIS]

so i guess i will start of with nsw, this means more time at the beach

 

[mandarinman]

i use it when i get to it, i use some same day others one or two weeks later. dont know much about die off cos i dontreally worry bout it,not sure if urban legend

 

[Mekaeel]

so i guess i will start of with nsw, this means more time at the beach

As long as you collect from a beach where the water sparkles and theres no Storm water pipes.

 

[OCELLARIS]

would lalucia beach be ok?
how deep should i go in to collect the sea water, as i dont have
a water craft to do so.

 

[Mekaeel]

Glenashley has clean water.Just wait for the S/SW to pump for a day or 2 before collecting.I collect in knee deep water.

 

[OCELLARIS]

thanx mekaeel, by the way what does S/SW mean

 

[OCELLARIS]

hi mekaeel

ive been reading your forum on "my tank"
must say excellent tank, ive seen you started with NSW but as i read on you became sceptic,i didnt read the entire forum but are you now on synthetic salt mix or are you on NSW still? also if you are still on NSW then how regularly do you do water tests?

 

[Mekaeel]

thanx mekaeel, by the way what does S/SW mean

Talking about the wind direction