Should I Mix my own Salt

[Reeltherapy07]

I have been debating for some time about mixing my own Salt. Since I started the Hobby many years ago I have always gone to my LFS here in Miami and purchased Salt Water. I believe its the same distributor who sells water to all the Fish stores in the area. When they used to service my Tank the Water changes all came from the same water source. So I have been reading about the Red Sea Salt in the Blue Bucket and was wondering if there was any advantages to mixing my own Salt. I don't know much about the difference between one or the other so I was hoping for some advice. TIA!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Just to clarify, do you mean make your own salt, or make your own salt water from a commercial salt mix?

Assuming it is the latter, then the advantage is control and knowledge of what you are doing, as opposed to the unknown of some lfs doing who knows what and selling it to you.

 

[Reeltherapy07]

Sorry Randy yea I mean buying like the Red Sea Salt in the Blue Bucket. I have a Mixed Reef and everything has been growing fine. I do know the LFS buys from someone who collects his own water in a huge truck with a Tank on it. I am not certain but I think the water comes from one of our Inlets here in Miami that has massive Water flow. Again not certain on that but that is what I believe he does. Thats the water that all of the LFS stores here sell.

 

[WhiskyTango]

My most productive tank ever was when in lived in Deerfield Beach, and the water came from the Hillsborough Inlet on the tail end of an incoming high tide.

 

[Sgchick]

I'm debating the same thing! I just have a biocube and I've been getting my seawater from my LFS for the last 4 years and things have been doing fine. I'm in california and my LFS has the seawater trucked in also. Only changing 5 gallons a week so pretty cheap and easy. Soon going to 1oo gallon tank and wondering if I should make the switch to making my own.

 

[WhiskyTango]

I'm debating the same thing! I just have a biocube and I've been getting my seawater from my LFS for the last 4 years and things have been doing fine. I'm in california and my LFS has the seawater trucked in also. Only changing 5 gallons a week so pretty cheap and easy. Soon going to 1oo gallon tank and wondering if I should make the switch to making my own.

Using store bought natural seawater is cost effective for nano’s. For a 100 gallon plus sump you’ll want to mix it yourself. If you can wait, the BRS Black Friday sale will be here before you know it.

 

[Reeltherapy07]

I'm debating the same thing! I just have a biocube and I've been getting my seawater from my LFS for the last 4 years and things have been doing fine. I'm in california and my LFS has the seawater trucked in also. Only changing 5 gallons a week so pretty cheap and easy. Soon going to 1oo gallon tank and wondering if I should make the switch to making my own.

Sg yea thats been my issue is deciding what to do. I used to also get my RO water from them but I just ordered a RODI unit from BRS because that I do know they make themselves. So I much rather know for sure what I am making. The thought just came to mind bc a buddy asked me why I didn't just make my own and got me to thinking. I do know the water they get comes from the Ocean here as the guy who gets it has huge pumps on his truck to collect the water. The cost is about the same as they charge .50c a gallon and most of the time do not even charge me for it. So I guess I was just curious as to one being a better option than the other.

 

[Reeltherapy07]

Whisky do you think the biggest benefit will be the cost effectiveness? I have a Red Sea 525XL. I do about 20 gallons every 1-2 Weeks in my water changes

 

[Flippers4pups]

I agree with Randy, there is a degree of control with making your own freshwater and mixing your own saltwater. When you rely on someone else to do this for you, you loose that control. So many questions then become unanswered and could potentially have dire consequences.

NSW can be used and has been used since the beginning of the hobby. But if not sourced from a clean source, it can contaminate your system.

 

[Reeltherapy07]

Thanks Don I agree. I have the RODI in my cart at BRS and I will go ahead and add the Red Sea Salt and just do it all myself. Thanks for all the great advice

 

[Sgchick]

Sg yea thats been my issue is deciding what to do. I used to also get my RO water from them but I just ordered a RODI unit from BRS because that I do know they make themselves. So I much rather know for sure what I am making. The thought just came to mind bc a buddy asked me why I didn't just make my own and got me to thinking. I do know the water they get comes from the Ocean here as the guy who gets it has huge pumps on his truck to collect the water. The cost is about the same as they charge .50c a gallon and most of the time do not even charge me for it. So I guess I was just curious as to one being a better option than the other.

My LFS charges 1.25 per gallon, but only changing 5 gallons a week in my 29 biocube...so not bad, but when I move up to 100 gallon it will get more costly. I too will have to get a RODI system

 

[reefwiser]

It is best to make your own water if you want to stay in the hobby. You need water for ATO as well as mixing saltwater. This becomes a chore over time and will lead one to dislike doing water changes and then maintenance and it is a slippery slope out of the hobby.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Using store bought natural seawater is cost effective for nano’s. For a 100 gallon plus sump you’ll want to mix it yourself. If you can wait, the BRS Black Friday sale will be here before you know it.

When does brs usually hold black Friday? I can't find dates listed but have seen mention on the brs website.

 

[Bmezz]

Control and convenience and quality. If u want all those u mix. RODI and high quality salt mix and your in in control. Convenient as if u set your self up with some holding and mixing tanks you can have water available whenever you need it and not have to run to the LFS or hope when u need it they will be open. That's my two cents!