Water from the ocean?

[Banjo-king]

So I'm taking a trip to see family this thanksgiving to the beaches of Alabama. It's about a 4 hour drive for me. I was wondering if I should bring several 5gal buckets to fill up some ocean water to use in my tank. Any pros or cons anyone knows of about doing this? Do you think the BP oil spill should be a concern even though significant time has passed? Lastly would it hurt to get a couple hermit crabs from the ocean? I don't know how they will act in my tank. I've already talked to the wildlife officials and they said there is no laws protecting the removal of the hermit crabs. Hopefully someone can give me advice. Thanks in advance.

 

[Eric B]

I would not bother! There are only a few places that use natural sea water for fish tanks here in the US and the ones that do filter the water once it is collected from off shore! San Diego aquarium is the best example that comes to mind. There will be a lot of run off/pollution/silt in water collected right at the beach. As far as the hermit crabs I would just stick to what is sold in your local aquarium store because you never know which ones you are collecting and how large they will get and what they will eat on in your tank. Could be OK but have also seen hermit crabs eat things in the tank that I never wanted them munching on! Just my opinion though and have a nice trip!

 

[glb]

I wouldn't. I used purified seawater for several months and keeping the parameters like alk, mg and ph were a nightmare. I lost a few zoa colonies as a result. I've switched to ro water with reef crystals salt and saw an immediate improvement in the water stability and the health of my corals. Just my 0.02.

 

[Banjo-king]

Thank you guys so much for the responses!! I don't want any problems with my tank so I'll just leave it to RO water. Thanks again!

 

[prdubois]

Best not to unless you go off shore in a boat. Shoreline is Gods skimmer

 

[eliramos]

Best not to unless you go off shore in a boat. Shoreline is Gods skimmer

+ 1
and plus you dont wanna mix your salts up, stability is key if you use the salt from the sea for a water change then go back to what you were using before you could do some damage not to mention bring some parasites with ya, brought home a rock from the beach once.....isopods poured out of it at night time. thank god it wasnt in the display

 

[Banjo-king]

Thanks so much. I never thought about the waste and parasites! I would be heartbroken if I ruined my tank.

 

[inurocker]

After the big BP spill not sure I would want any Gulf water in my tank. Maybe from WAY WAY off shore. I'm still not sure if it would be worth the risk an all the trouble.