Use of sea water

[Shaun Sweeney]

I live in the PNW (on Vancouver Island) and a few months ago, I did my water change with water I had dipped out of the ocean. I've spoken to a fellow locally who uses ocean water exclusively in his water changes and he claims his coral just loves it. Of course he brings the salinity up to spec but other than that, it is straight ocean water. Has anyone else done this? Any downsides?

 

[LParker480]

that would be awesome to have that option. i'll be watching this as I'm curious to the responses.

 

[Snookin]

I have never and would never. The downsides are you are adding water that may have contaminants or pest that could negatively impact your tank. I always recommend using a RODI system to make your own RO water and add a high quality salt yourself.

 

[Shaun Sweeney]

It is probably a function of where you are and how clean the local water is. In my case, it is pretty clean.

 

[Snookin]

It is probably a function of where you are and how clean the local water is. In my case, it is pretty clean.

Control and stability are just 2 of many major factors for a successful reef tank. Relying on sea water as a source for water changes is a bad idea IMO.

 

[Shaun Sweeney]

For what reasons? Are you concerned that each batch of water will be different? I would think they would be pretty consistent from batch to batch. Exactly what would you be worried about? I can say that the salinity (in the ocean water) has been consistent each time I've tested it.

 

[Snookin]

It seems your mind is made up. I told you I would be worried about unknown contaminants and pest from the sea water source. Also, salinity isn't the only water property you need to be measuring and tracking when dealing with a reef tank. If you are looking for posts to validate your thinking you won't get that from me on this topic. Buy a good RODI system and make your own saltwater. Good luck with your tank.

 

[Shaun Sweeney]

No, my mind isn't made up. That's why I posted the query.

 

[IDNTFU]

No, my mind isn't made up. That's why I posted the query.

You should be fine if the source from where you collect is clean, away from the city I would say. I'm from San Diego c.a we're lucky enough here that we have a faucet of natural sea water that's used by the Scrips birch aquarium and they share it with the local hobbyist , that's all I used from the initial fill up to my weekly water changes.

 

[Shaun Sweeney]

Thank you. We are indeed in a very clean area part way up Georgia Strait. I'm going to use a little more of it with my new build.

 

[KorL]

Here in San Diego, there's a lot of hobbyist that use natural sea water. The public aquarium uses it too. It's filtered though

 

[inurmind]

I can honestly say I don't know if I'd still be in the hobby or at least I'd have fewer tanks if Scripps wasn't an available asset to us here in SD

 

[ClownnGoby]

i don't see why not long as you go far enough off shore to collect it , away from run off and boat traffic our local aquarium has water trucked in from the ocean . They probably filter the water out before using it but their reef tank looks oK

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Most places that sell seawater (there are a few here in SoCal...wish we had a facet like the guys in SD) will filter it first. I would think stability would be pretty solid if it's coming from the same place (I'd actually trust that to be more stable than different batches of salt). There is a concern about how clean the water is if it's not filleted first, but you've stated it's clean, so that seems not to be an issue. I'd suggest you test your water frequently at least at first to be sure your levels are solid and that you're not bringing in contaminants, but as long as that checks out, I don't see an issue.