UK Reefers: Natural Seawater

[W@tchm@n]

Hi All,

Great to see that we have our own little forum section going
Just wanted to find out if anyone here is using Natural Seawater?
My tanks been up and running for about a year and 6 months-ish... mostly softies and a few LPS.
Was thinking about switching to NSW but wanted to get a few opinions on it first...

Been looking at these guys:
https://www.naturalseawatersupplier.co.uk/

Thanks

 

[Tautog]

I’ve been using natural sea water for over 2 years. The tank stock is fish and inverts mostly. This is a local, LI,NY, cool water tank. 60 gal. 2 fresh water filter systems(75 & 90). 1 air stone. No skimmer. No heat. No chiller. No ATO. I’ve never tested the water, in tank or new bay water. I don’t filter the new water before WC’s. I change out 20 gallons every 3-4 weeks. I only clean tank during a WC. I only change filter pads two to three times a year, and only 1 per WC. I have a deep bed, half gravel and half sand. I only clean bed 2-3 times per year. No algae issues. No special lighting. Cheapest tank to run. And everything I collect goes in!

 

[SPR1968]

Ive never tried it but interesting to look on there web site to see what they do.

It may depend a great deal on the size of your system as far as cost and/or convenience is concerned.

In my case is looks a bit expensive at £7.99 for 25 litres. I change around 120 litres every 2 weeks so that would be £39.95 for one water change. Or a bucket of Red Sea Salt which with 22kg will make enough for roughly 5 water changes at £56-60 total.

Personally, and this is just for my system and my view, I wouldn't want to put anything collected by me directly from the sea in it, just because i wouldn't know for sure if it contained contaminants of any kind that might affect my tank. And its just not worth the risk, for myself and my piece of mind.

 

[Tautog]

Yep! That’s what you read!
But, the truth is “What Contaminants “. Are not these living creatures LIVING!
So if it’s good for them, why would it not be good for your tank. If the water is bad, then the inverts and bivalves would die. I collect water from my marina. There’s over 200 boats there up to 40 ft. I’ve never had any issues. I wouldn’t and don’t use sea water for the reef tank. Corals are too sensitive
Always collect water 1 hour prior to high tide, near or as close as you can, to a near by inlet.
If you do, don’t buy, collect critters from the water.

 

[SPR1968]

Yep! That’s what you read!
But, the truth is “What Contaminants “. Are not these living creatures LIVING!
So if it’s good for them, why would it not be good for your tank. If the water is bad, then the inverts and bivalves would die. I collect water from my marina. There’s over 200 boats there up to 40 ft. I’ve never had any issues. I wouldn’t and don’t use sea water for the reef tank. Corals are too sensitive
Always collect water 1 hour prior to high tide, near or as close as you can, to a near by inlet.
If you do, don’t buy, collect critters from the water.

When I say contaminants Im thinking of things like oil and stuff from boats (non living) and on the basis I have a 650 litre full blown reef tank it’s not something I can take a chance on. As you say corals are a little sensitive to such things.

Maybe if you have a fish only system and your confident of the quality, but my point is that personally, and with a reef tank, it’s not something I would do. But that just me.

 

[W@tchm@n]

Thanks for the responses guys...
I can see both sides..
As it stands, I'm relying on buying water from my lfs as I don't have the space or facilities to set up my own mixing station... So I guess I am still flying semi blind with that... All be it they are reputable and their customer base is established and have been with them for years..

 

[Beardedman81]

Thanks for the responses guys...
I can see both sides..
As it stands, I'm relying on buying water from my lfs as I don't have the space or facilities to set up my own mixing station... So I guess I am still flying semi blind with that... All be it they are reputable and their customer base is established and have been with them for years..

I Know of few reefers off FB that use NSW on there tanks collected right here in Poole, Dorset.
Some have been using for some length of time with no ill effects, think I will be adding some slowly at the weekend and see how things go

 

[W@tchm@n]

I Know of few reefers off FB that use NSW on there tanks collected right here in Poole, Dorset.
Some have been using for some length of time with no ill effects, think I will be adding some slowly at the weekend and see how things go

Keep us updated on here pls mate..
What is your stock like?

 

[Beardedman81]

Keep us updated on here pls mate..
What is your stock like?

Corals sps LPS and softies
Fish 2 clowns, 2 damsels tailspot blenny, watchman goby 1 chromis
Cuc strawberry conch scarlet hermit and dwarf blue hermits and some snails

 

[W@tchm@n]

Sweet...
Let us know how u get on...

Out of interest.. How far in are u getting the water from.. Or is it just on the shore

 

[Beardedman81]

Sweet...
Let us know how u get on...

Out of interest.. How far in are u getting the water from.. Or is it just on the shore

Most reefers I know are collecting it from the jetty near the sandbanks chain ferry, some even collections from Poole quay
Think I will be collecting some samples and just check it if it’s ok I will just put it in the tank

 

[Richard Ivory]

i buy mine from the local fish store, it comes from off the Dorset coast and @40p a litre its easier for me to buy the 25 litres a week i need for water changes

 

[DxMarinefish]

Hi All,

Great to see that we have our own little forum section going
Just wanted to find out if anyone here is using Natural Seawater?
My tanks been up and running for about a year and 6 months-ish... mostly softies and a few LPS.
Was thinking about switching to NSW but wanted to get a few opinions on it first...

Been looking at these guys:
https://www.naturalseawatersupplier.co.uk/

Thanks

HI,

Have you used these guys, and if so what is your experience?

 

[Richard Ivory]

HI,

Have you used these guys, and if so what is your experience?

i got a price for 20 litres delivered or 25 i cant remember but it was nearly £20 double what i am paying ,dont know if i bout 100 litres (a months worth of water changes if it would be cheaper or if it would be ok stored

 

[DxMarinefish]

i got a price for 20 litres delivered or 25 i cant remember but it was nearly £20 double what i am paying ,dont know if i bout 100 litres (a months worth of water changes if it would be cheaper or if it would be ok stored

Thanks.

Have you used it yet. What is your impression of the NSW vs Synthetic?

I don't do many water changes, perhaps 25 litres every 4-6 weeks.

Really want to know if it will increase/boost biodiversity.

 

[Richard Ivory]

Thanks.

Have you used it yet. What is your impression of the NSW vs Synthetic?

I don't do many water changes, perhaps 25 litres every 4-6 weeks.

Really want to know if it will increase/boost biodiversity.

personally all my corals look better and are starting to grow i do 25 litres a week water change imho i feel its made my tank a lot better

 

[Paul B]

When I say contaminants Im thinking of things like oil and stuff from boats (non living) and on the basis I have a 650 litre full blown reef tank it’s not something I can take a chance on. As you say corals are a little sensitive to such things.

I will be collecting tomorrow as I am fishing at a beach. I just throw a hose into the surf and it pumps into a barrel in my car. Oil from boats floats so you don't get any of that. In the fifty or so years I have been collecting water, I never had anything die or get sick from it.
Now my reef is all NSW and it is 48 years old.
Whales poop in the sea.

 

[BrandonS]

nvm

 

[W@tchm@n]

HI,

Have you used these guys, and if so what is your experience?

Hello mate...
Been using them for about a year now more or less, I think.

Its been great so far..
I was having major issues with dinos, I think it was dinos, but anyway since then my sand has been great. Fish and corals seem to like it too...
No adverse effects.

My system is about 600 litres more or less, incl sump. I change out 125 litres every 2 weeks...

Their service is great, very accommodating and the guy that delivers to me is very knowledgeable

 

[DxMarinefish]

Hello mate...
Been using them for about a year now more or less, I think.

Its been great so far..
I was having major issues with dinos, I think it was dinos, but anyway since then my sand has been great. Fish and corals seem to like it too...
No adverse effects.

My system is about 600 litres more or less, incl sump. I change out 125 litres every 2 weeks...

Their service is great, very accommodating and the guy that delivers to me is very knowledgeable

Thanks .
I have a 250 US gallon system, skimless. I use an ATS and refugium (hang-on back and another in the sump ) for filtration as well as Macroalgae in the display itself.


With 2 kids it’s a mess mixing water in the kitchen.

I have sent them an email query with my requirements.