FAQ #36: Can I use ocean water in my reef tank?

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for FAQ #36: Can I use ocean water in my reef tank? | 52 FAQ

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Fernando Marturet - 6 years ago

I went down to to an inlet close to were I live that has lots of boat traffic on the daily as they are constantly coming in and out of the bay. I was there because a buddy and I are setting up a few aquariums and we cannot afford to pay for water at the LFS. We were loading up buckets on an incoming tide because we presumed it to be a lot cleaner than the usual bay water. Suddenly a huge truck pulled up with a bunch of containers and some guys get out and start pumping water out of the channel. I ask them what their doing and it turns out they supply the saltwater to a few LFS in my area. Two days later I went down to my LFS and asked them what they though about me getting water myself and they proceeded to tell me that it was a bad idea because of pollutants and so on. As they told me this that same truck pulled up to their goddamn driveway. BUNCHA BULLSHIT M8.

Jeiry Pena - 6 years ago

I addict to BRS

A Nav - 6 years ago

ah shit water, i see why not to use it

nadalygotclout - 7 years ago

Can u clean the ocean water for the reef tank?

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

Not necessarily, since filtering the saltwater using RODI would remove the salt content. At such a high concentration of salt (versus our tap water) it would most likely put a major strain on your filter membranes causing them to exhaust fairly rapidly. The cost of replacing filters for a small amount of filtered water would quickly grow higher than just filtering your tap water. :-)

Pamela Memes - 7 years ago

Wait so I live every close to the ocean we're the water is very clear and, I know theirs fish their. So can I use that water and maybe some of the fish in the area? To make a saltwater tank?

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

It may be possible to utilize that natural water, but there still is a potential for contaminates to be in it. I would reach out to local reefers or fish stores in your area and see if anyone of them are using the natural water for their tanks! :-)

Blake Canada - 7 years ago

I've started a lot of my tanks using sea water! I live in FL and the water isn't polluted because the inlet I go too has tons of coral and sponges that live on the rocks along with tons of reef fish a lot of which I have seen for sale in fish stores online and local stores!

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

Awesome! :-)

BigYingAdventurestoo - 7 years ago

The simple answer is yes you can, and you don't need a boat. No, I wouldn't do it at a marina. But I've been collecting seawater at Kayak launch locations in southwest Florida for 15 years. Don't filter it, don't do anything to it except try to keep floating grass or whatever out of it. That's it. No problems for 15 years. If there are little fishies swimming around and the water looks fine, then 99.999% chance it's fine to use. Any pollutants are so diluted as to be inconsequential. The only people who say you shouldn't collect it from land and you have to filter it etc.etc.etc. have never tried it. Simple as that.

Khai W - 6 years ago

BigYingAdventurestoo I totally agree. It is common sense that your not going to pump it out of a dirty marina. Friend of mine have been using seawater for 5+ years and the only trip they take to the pet store is to take reproduced coral in to sell.

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

Nice! :-)

A Ginger Diver - 7 years ago

Marine land, Fl.. They have filtered salt water. They use it in their systems. Just need a barrel or 2 or a bunch of water cans...

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

Awesome! :-)

Christopher Searles - 7 years ago

How about using sand from a local beach in the tank? Since we're not replacing it like water it would be a much more viable option than pulling multiple buckets of water out weekly.

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

That is a great question! I wish we could test that here, but we don't have much access to ocean sand here in Minnesota. Haha! I would imagine that the sand holds more toxins and chemicals from civilization than the water itself. Would be interesting to find out though!

10. comment for FAQ #36: Can I use ocean water in my reef tank? | 52 FAQ

Rick Baker - 7 years ago

I spent all my boat money on fish tanks and animals.

Simon Ford - 7 years ago

I've only ever used NSW (Natural Sea Water), never had issues with parasites entering my system. I collect mine from just outside a nature reserve, which has some of the cleanest water in my area, South Eastern Coast of Australia

Ramon - 7 years ago

We do it I get my water from Sand Island and the Aquarium in Waikiki! The water has been tested clean and safe! LuckyweliveinHawaii

ttrumpet100 - 7 years ago

how do you handle ich in the reef aquarium

Cristian Ignacio Sanchez Garcia - 7 years ago

I use natural seawater, its a lot of work but its kinda fun and i like the results, it also allows me to go diving and coral hunting (i have a small quaratine tank).

Daniel Salley - 7 years ago

One thing I have never understood is the idea of nitrate factories. Some say that certain types of filters become too good at converting ammonia and nitrite into nitrate. But nitrate is less harmful so would it not be better than to have a slight excess of nitrates instead of a backlog of ammonia and nitrite in the watercolumn waiting to be processed?

Jay Lara - 7 years ago

corals do need nitrogen as food, why do we have to reduce nitrate concentration?

Vasco Jardim - 7 years ago

Oh, and you need to pay 3.000€ for a license to collect the water in Portugal.

Vasco Jardim - 7 years ago

Hi, cool video as always. However, do take a look at this guys 100% NSW tank. In fact, his initial problems like algae and stuff got cured by using NSW as it increases biodiversity. Water comes from the west coast of portugal, which I believe is pretty pristine. Also the fact that it is very cold water (like 15 degrees Centigrade) means that a lot of the warm water parasites that could affect our fish and corals are not present. A very good thread for anyone interested. I just couldn't see myself hawking 10 5 gallon jugs every week for water changes...

Solar dos Frades Reef v2 - 265g from Portugal!

http://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/Solar-dos-Frades-Reef-v2---265g-from-Portugal%21.281918/

eric olsen - 7 years ago

Great vid. I grew up on the Gulf Coast and use water from the Bay's for my first tanks. Of course the trick is I only kept livestock that I could catch in the same location. At the time I did not even consider livestock from the fish store. It was fun and very easy.

20. comment for FAQ #36: Can I use ocean water in my reef tank? | 52 FAQ

Omar Soto - 7 years ago

i live in PR been using for 8 years no problem!!

Brian Choi - 7 years ago

Wasn't there a guy who had his tank directly hooked up to the ocean? Not sure if I can find the exact tank now, but any clue on what kind of equipment is run to allow such an environment?

Scott From Rosco's Reef - 7 years ago

I know some people that use it but I would rather just make it myself so I know it will not hurt but rather help my tank.

PearlofRocketland - 7 years ago

not going to lie, have wondered about this myself.

FeedThatReefAddiction - 7 years ago

I'm starting a pico with nsw in a few wks!

goodall1bay - 7 years ago

Not forgetting the ocean water in most parts of North America and Europe has a low SG and likely unfit for reef aquarium without evaporating it so the level goes up.
Sounds like more work to me!

mrcow51 - 7 years ago

My levels are close to perfect, but suddenly I am getting diatoms after two years?? Also I have a bunch of algae on the rock but I can blow it off with a pipette. Any thoughts?

Turtle's Reef - 7 years ago

My family has a house just north of Myrtle Beach in SC. The sea water there is brown with silt from all the rivers. The water around Myrtle Beach is also heavily polluted as it's a big tourist spot. To get to clean water I'd have to go about 30 miles off shore into the gulf stream, where the water turns from brown to a green and then a deep blue. I've been out there but it was on a chartered fishing boat. I wouldn't want to go out there on my 19' bay boat. It's just way cheaper to buy buckets of salt mix....

Blake Canada - 7 years ago

I live in Florida not even 100 miles from the Bahamas so should the saltwater be safe to use parameters wise???

tomas dx - 7 years ago

I bought a battery backup for my gyre from you . How often should they be replaced?
Thank you.

Turtle's Reef - 7 years ago

Your DC pumps still have to be supplied by an AC power source and thru their own DC inverter. They have a standard 120VAC power cord that feeds an inverter and then to the DC powered pump... UNLESS you have a DC power source hooked directly to the pump and forgo the DC to AC and back to DC power conversion. Then I am unaware of this product.

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

I have found the UPS's don't last as long as most people would like. I'd say on average 2-4 hours. The DC pump options can last days. The difference here is the UPS's have to power an inverter to switch the power from DC in the battery to AC for the pumps. That inverter often requires a significant amount of energy to operate in comparison to the 10 watts the pump consumes. In most cases why the UPS only lasts 1/5 - 1/10 the time as the DC pump options even though the battery might be the same size.

Turtle's Reef - 7 years ago

I have a UPS for my computer, that can also be used for anything that uses 120V AC, that is 10+ years old and still works fine. If it's a well designed one it'll last a while as long as you take care of it and you don't soak it with water.

30. comment for FAQ #36: Can I use ocean water in my reef tank? | 52 FAQ

Tyler Stephens - 7 years ago

Great question. One I've often asked myself and have wondered if you could or not. From the sounds of it, it might not be the best of options.

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

Not a bad option, just likely not worth the effort for most people.

Pedro4490 - 7 years ago

i use northern portugal water from a specif location. a cape for 5 yrs and my corals love it. and no algae. i just use rodi water for top-off.

Ted Bayly - 7 years ago

My LFS sells ocean water but it's just as much hassle as going to get it from the ocean, we have good here in Australia a lot of our beaches are part of and surrounded by national parks so the water is pretty good.

Would it not also be the case that fresh ocean water would contain phytoplankton which would be a nice treat for any filter feeders in the tank?

ANTI - 7 years ago

The ocean water is pure asf

Michael Fitzgerald - 7 years ago

Don't bother unless like he says you get it miles off shore, my tank turned into a algae magnet after using it, I stopped straight away!

Charlie Rasch - 7 years ago

If you live in or near San Diego, Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and UCSD provides filtered sea water free to the public.

619wrx - 7 years ago

Yep, that's where I get my water. No problems so far.

Dark Helmet - 7 years ago

yes they do. its amazing.

darksidedevelop - 7 years ago

Used it for over 10 years with no problem

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

Yeah, I think a lot of people have had your experience and positive results. Maybe you could share how you selected the location you collected it from and how you decided that spot was a solid option?

Swizy oP - 7 years ago

How do you properly syphon out water in your tank ?

llamedos R - 7 years ago

ive been using uk water for a year with no problems.

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

Yeah, we really tried to hit home it can be done and lots of people are successful but don't just walk up to any pier and assume it is safe.

ziad tawil - 7 years ago

lol i did it twice and it was pain in the ass i have a 800L tank taking at least 10 buckets of water each week in my car ,even tho the beach is one min away,but i didnt have any algae prob or anything

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

I think that's most people's results. Might seem like you are saving money but unless you want to pay yourself half of minimum wage its probably not a valuable use of time : )

Chris Cimino - 7 years ago

I get filtered ocean water from a local university's aquaculture center. They run it through a UV lamp, and then filter it down to 20 microns. I raise the alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium slightly to help maintain parameters during water changes.

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

That's pretty awesome!

bruce wayne - 7 years ago

i would not driving a couple mile for the gallon of nsw from the beach, the reason is fuel comsuption , and sea water may has a lot of parasite

Andy Norbury - 7 years ago

Always funny to see people who sell synthetic salt telling people not to use the natural stuff. We've been using NSW in the UK for years. Mind you our water isn't as full as the rubbish that gets pumped in America, we have better standards here.

Andy Norbury - 7 years ago

Why, where do you live?

NanoScape - 7 years ago

There's no way I'd put sea water from where I live in the uk anywhere near my tank. I'll stick with synthetic salt thanks:)

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

With free shipping we loose money with almost every bucket of salt leaving here : ) Our goal is just to discuss the topic responsibly from all angles so people can make informed decisions and within that do it the best way possible.

Pedro Gomes Island Reef - 7 years ago

It all depends on the source... I use NSW for ~7years and never had a single problem :) or just buy http://www.naturalseawaterreef.com/

Jon Blake - 7 years ago

should of just said no lol

mnelson10000 - 7 years ago

That would have made for a short video, haha

Jon Blake - 7 years ago

yeh Ryan did say you are able to do it . my comment was more of a joke thing . suppose you had to be there

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

I certainly wouldn't feel like it was a good use of my own time and that certainly came across. However it can be done and I felt like sharing the legit considerations on finding a solid source or collection location is valuable.

Mitchell North - 7 years ago

So can I add coral to my tank from the ocean ? Or invertebrates?

Entety 404 - 7 years ago

in my quarium there is 5 cup corals , 2 anemones ,2 sea urchins and aaround 5 snails. My aquarium has 8 gallons. I have no fish yet.

Mitchell North - 7 years ago

Entety303's Jellyfish Aquarium thank you

Mitchell North - 7 years ago

Entety303's Jellyfish Aquarium yes have a bio cube 14 doing grate just got first coral today got a neon blue goby and a diamond back goby and 2 black ocelairis clownfish they've been together forever they said when I bought them Monday thanks!

Entety 404 - 7 years ago

How is your aquarium doing now any new things?

Entety 404 - 7 years ago

But anyways no problem.

Mitchell North - 7 years ago

Entety303's Jellyfish Aquarium thanks !

Entety 404 - 7 years ago

If you have a reef tank you might already have corals from the ocean like elegences. I have a reef aquarium at home and everything in it is from the wild ( it also isn't a tropic reef tank).But i think all hermits,snails,urchins and starfish are likley from the wild

gord oland - 7 years ago

Great video. Salt mix for me living in the middle of Canada LOL. For those who live by the ocean salinity might be lower so you have to add salt anyways.

Jase Poag - 7 years ago

I guess I'll cancel the tanker truck rental, and the 10 hour drive down to the gulf. My girlfriend wasn't too keen on me setting up a water tower in the back yard anyway.

A Nav - 6 years ago

lol I was like what if you live on the beach and just get some PVC shit to the ocean to top off the tank. Then i was like oh yeeah shit water. There would be like meth, heroin syringes, diesel fuel, and dead hookers in the water

zx45zx - 7 years ago

2 things you reallyyyyyyy need to add or pin to this video!!!

1. In many clean sourced places, it will, 99% of the time, be illegal to take large buckets of sea water home with you.
2. You can by no means return the used seawater from out of your tank back to the ocean where you got it. If you get causght doing that you can get big trouble for many reasons.

Raymond Rose - 7 years ago

zx45zx we dont add it back i chuck it down my waste pipe in home. also in the UK are water temp is way to cold for any algea or bacterias from tropical climates to survive. i use our colder temps to kill of some algeas ect on live rocks. i also collect of dover docks.. so alot of people say its bad for the boat traffic but a few people collect from here and the neighbouring town. with no problems in the last 4 years

zx45zx - 7 years ago

Well it is illegal in Corpus.And we even put signs up for it. And it should never be put back in the ocean. If you have algea spores or isopods, parasites or bacteria from the corals you bought from indonesia or thailand, and you dump it back in the waters of Corpus or Florida you have no regard for the enviroment on any level.

Raymond Rose - 7 years ago

zx45zx i use nsw and collect straight out sea no filtration and add straight to tank. its not illegal to remove the water or add back. if collecting more than 10,000L a day you need a licence. corals love it

andeyking - 7 years ago

If anyone is curious, I got a Triton ICP test done on Natural Sea Water here in the UK. Results can be seen here : http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?702-Natural-Sea-Water

50. comment for FAQ #36: Can I use ocean water in my reef tank? | 52 FAQ

Lovebetta - 7 years ago

When I lived in Hawaii my friend just get water from the sea for their aquarium. She even start her reef greeting from the ocean.

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

Yeah, there are a lot of people who do that. In Hawaii i'd wager the water is cleaner than almost any mainland shoreline.

Gustavo Sanchez - 7 years ago

Or you could live in San Diego where you can get free ocean water from Scripps Institute of Oceanography which pumps it from a pier and pipe going down deep and then it gets passed through massive sand filters :)

The same water is used for research and also feeds the entire Birch Aquarium as well. Nothing like driving up to a spigot and filling up a container with fresh filtered ocean water :)

adriansaquaticsSD - 7 years ago

Gustavo Sanchez. scripps pier no longer gives free water. its located a mile down the street in the scripps fisheries building

About FAQ #36: Can I use ocean water in my reef tank? | 52 FAQ

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