Anyone currently using Natural Sea Water?

I did a few searches and it seems some people are for and some are against depending on where you live for using natural sea water. I was reading a few articles about aquariums taking water out of the sound and using it in some of their tanks so that made me at least think about experimenting with it. Since I live about 10 miles from the beach, I may grab some samples to see the water quality. I figured I'd test salinity, phosphates, and run it through a TDS meter to get any idea of the quality. I also have a UV filter but didn't think that would be necessary for this. Any other recommended tests?

Has anyone used Long Island Sound water for their aquarium? The water is currently about 41º so it I figured if there were any parasites, warming the water to 76º would kill off anything (maybe good and bad?), but was also curious if cold water would not be suitable for a tank? This would be for a FOWLR set up only.

I have a RO/DI setup at my house and it's working fine, I was just curious since it's a lot easier for me to go to the beach and grab 40 gallons worth once a month if its safe.

 

You might want to check out your local laws on this one as well. From my understanding, the natural seawater that is sold in stores is collected via a collection pipe that runs about 20 miles out into the ocean. There are a lot of pollutants and other stuff in the water that you would get off of the beach. I would just stick with your RO/DI water. If it ain't broke, don't fix it lol.

 

Been using NSW for years

 

I hear what you're saying sticksmith, and that's why I was curious to testing the water quality, surely pollutants will show up in a TDS reading. Either way, no laws in CT preventing you from taking ocean water haha, so figured I'll take a sample. My biggest concern is that because I live in Long Island Sound, I think the salinity may change too much.

Nicodim: do you buy your sea water, or take it from the ocean?

 

I buy it, it comes from Scripps in San Diego Ca.

 

Saltwater will show up on your TDS meter. You can't measure pollutants via that method.

You have to be careful in comparing your own practices to that of a large state aquarium. They can do things in their tanks we would never be able to get away with in ours. Their setups are completely different beasts in that regard.

It will totally depend on where you live and what chances you are willing to take. It is an increased risk, there's no argument of that. If you are collecting your own water off sure, you could be bringing in parasites. If someone pours something inappropriate just upshore from you, there's a change you'll drag it home unaware. The actuality of those risks will be dependent on where you live. Tim Buck Two = small risk. Los Angeles shore = death

 

Very good point, didn't even think about that with the TDS meter. Would dipping an ORP probe into it help find anything? I can see the risks. Maybe I'll try filling my pod farm with ocean water and see how it goes. In the summer I can go further off shore for the water, but my friend takes their boat in for the winter so it would be just from right off the beach for this test which doesn't sound too promising now.

 

I debated doing the same thing when I moved from upstate NY to Charleston SC. I was so excited to be able to just grab water from the ocean... but I weighed out the pros and cons of it and it just isn't worth it. Its actually more work to get it from the ocean and with the risks, it doesn't make sense. I know it 'feels' more natural to be able to but I wouldnt if I were you. I just grabbed a 150 gallon mix of Coralife salt on clearance from Petsmart for $22. Insane right. So why go through all that trouble getting the water from the ocean when I grab deals like that.. and if your only doing a FO tank, you can just use dechlorinated tap water.

 

I live in the bronx and actually have a small tank of locally collected stuff and use sound water in there, with that being said its also with animals found from the sound that i use this on, believe it or not the water from the sound gets beautifully clear after it has been filtered for a week or so and i never had an issue with algae growth but at the same time had no problem growing local macros...except the local red gracilara its hard to keep but do get some strands to make it long enough but the hermit crabs love eating it

 

i live on the beach in newfoundland, canada. cleanest water in the world.