Using actual seawater

[TMIB]

I've been considering using actual seawater (you know, that stuff from the ocean) in my reef tank for water changes.

I plan to filter the seawater through filter floss to remove any "big" stuff, (seaweed, etc) then store it in a light-proof container with a powerhead inside for aeration.

My concerns are as follows:

1. Should I worry much about pollutants? I thought about plumbing the storage container to a closed loop running through bags of activated carbon and letting it run for a month before using it.

2. parasites and other nasties- how likely is this to be a problem? The water here off the coast of Washington is COLD. Are problem parasites hardy enough to handle an increase up to the temperature of a tropical reef tank?

3. Minerals/elements. I don't see this as a big concern, really. The seawater should have a decent base, and so long as I know what is lacking (or abundant) I will be able to dose trace elements accordingly.

I do plan to have some salt mix on hand, so that I can adjust salinity if neccesary, as well as lots of fresh water. I would be using this water for a regular water change regime. (probably 25% every two months, or close to that. More often of course if water quality issues crop up.)

Any thoughts?

--TMIB

 

[TMIB]

Ah, I forgot to add:

If I do this, am I better off to keep it aerated, or letting it sit and go anaerobic to kill off anything in the water?

I'd think that the latter method would be safer, and would result in a large amount of dissolved organic content in the water.

--Tracy

 

[Carpentersreef]

Tracy,
I seem to remember from when I lived in Vancouver that the fisheries dept. had a map of effluent discharge and how far out it affected crustaceans suitable for human consumption. I know that Victoria has no waste treatment plant, and discharges their raw effluent directly south of the island.
I would suggest getting more info in that regard.

Mitch

[ December 15, 2001: Message edited by: Carpentersreef ]</p>

 

[MaryHM]

I do this for my facility. We extensively filter the water with ozone, UV, and carbon. We also filter it down to 1 micron. It filters for 12 hours and is then placed in a large black holding tank to help to kill off anything that remains. The holding tank is not aerated.

 

[Carpentersreef]

Mary,
Can you identify any benefits/drawbacks between NSW and artificial?

Mitch

 

[Iron]

NSW if not polluted may have alot of dieoff but animals may eat it. But fwiw Puget sounf aquarium sells filter seawater= Seattle pier. Realy cheap

 

[MaryHM]

Benefits- It's free, don't have to add trace elements, it's free, don't have to mix saltwater in a trash can, it's free, don't have to make a bunch of RO water, it's free

Drawbacks- I have spare money to spend on frivolous things and spare time to sit in front of this computer!

 

[cvarcher]

First off ,yes you can use ocean water,and be assured theres nothing in it to harm your lifeforms,for if there was we will all be in trouble. Secondly I have been doing this with my tank over 1 1/2 years with atlantic ocean water. I wouldnt want to kill off everything by letting it settle so aerate it and use it as soon as you can. Youll get all that natural phytoplankton and zooplankton.Make sure you leave alittle macroalgae . Third I just want to add SHAME on VICTORIA for dumping human raw sewage into a pristine puget sound system.You people ought to go right down there throats!!!Damn Government for letting them get away with this .Here in Long Island NY I work at a sewage plant and the discharge is out to the ocean beach but its secondarily treated.NY.city for 200 years was dumping raw human sewage into its harbor and is only recenty treating it.Small wonder the Orcas are decreasing in numbers! For what its worth I tested at my Chem lab the ocean water and found it better than our own distilled deionized water ---clean!!!!

 

[HARRISON]

I like Mary's post hahahah.

If it makes you feel any better all of the LFS's that carry corals use NSW. I have also talked to local keepers around here that use natural sea water and like it. I mix mine because I worry about bringing in stuff I don't want and feel it is a more controlled environment if I add water I have mixed myself. I know this is not completely correct but it makes me feel good and I sleep well at night so i am sticking with it. I may at some point (after testing) try some NSW but I think it depends on the water in your area too.

As far as previous posts i will add what i have learned while I looked into it. Most all people around here let it age for a couple weeks before adding it to their tanks. You don't want to add a bunch of dead junk to your tank and you certainly don't want it dying in your tank. Most put it in drums or water cans and just drop a powerhead into it. Easy enough I think. I have also read that if you want to "jump start" your tank you can add some "fresh" NSW to your tank to get some of the phyto's and other goodies into your tank. Then from there use the aged water as you go...

Hope this helps

 

[scavdog]

I have started using NSW in my 54 gallon system. I filter it for a week or so with carbon.

Ultimately I would like to incorporate UV or Ozone, but at this point I am having great results. Check my post from reef central.

NSW1

NSW 2

I find there to be a lot less voodoo involved with using NSW. I have a private pier so I have little reason not to take advantage of the situation.

Here are a couple pics of a tank maintained with NSW owned by the hobbiest that convinced me to give it a shot.

HTH,

HTH,

 

[TMIB]

Well, I came up with an answer.

Check this out:

http://www.seattleaquarium.org/visitors/SaltWaterSales.htm

"Got a salt water tank? Got a bucket? The Seattle Aquarium now offers UVA-disinfected, filtered sea water for sale and can save you money!

A $10 sign-up fee gets you a computer card for the self-service valve. Then you pay just $0.05/gallon."

I know where I'm getting my NSW now...


--TMIB