Sea water vs RO and mix

[John0011886]

what is better to use to start up a tank, sea water or making saltwater with RO and mix?

 

[Salty1962]

I would go with RODI and mix. Allot more cost effective and it gives your tank all of the major elements, if you use a quality salt.
Welcome to R2R!

 

[Defiant Arms]

I have been curious about this too because i dive offshore a lot and could easily bring back ~50 gallons a trip but not sure if i would need to filter it and all. seems easier to just mix it.

 

[Live Water]

I believe the trace elements are higher near reefs due to erosion of coral sand beaches, that being said we have access to filtered sea water in San Diego and I have used it a few times to no noticeable difference. I would think that using unfiltered sea water could be dangerous because in a closed system any diseases or pest could potentially thrive that were not noticed when you got the water. I've heard of people doing this for years and not having any negative effects....

 

[Speedy]

I live in the gold coast in australia . The surf is very clean here and a lot of the local reef shops use it . I use it for water changes . Parameters have been very stable . I tested the water .its very clean with good levels of ca and mg . 0 phos 0 nitrate . No issues so far . Collect 1 hour b4 high tide is best . Tank is thriving . Depends on where you collect and cleansiness of the area . Good luck

 

[John0011886]

I was thinking mixing was the way to go because it would limit the bad bacteria that I'm introducing into the new tank. Thanks for the feedback

 

[Speedy]

It really depends on the location where you take your seawater from and what is around it . But it definitely can work . Ro/di is definitely less risky though

 

[idisc]

I would personally use SEAWATER if I had access...