How many people here use natural sea water for their tanks? I have access to filtered sea water through my university and I was just wondering what peoples experiences have been with it. I got some today and am getting ready to fill up my tank and begin the cycle!

It works great I have been using it since I started my setup bout 4-5 months ago. I get the water here locally from the pier at scripps aquarium in San Diego. Just be sure to check your levels from time to time prior to adding. Other than that its a great alternative to mixing your own and paying for salt and ro/di water.

I do as well. Mine comes from an estuary reserve on the SC coast. Sand filtered only and my tank loves it.

Because it's from an estuary, the salinity and nutrient load is variable but I don't sweat it. I used to adjust the salinity, but I've been leaving it alone for the last 6 months or so. Usually swings between 36-40 ppt depending on year, rainfall, temp, etc...

I generally do have to amend the Mg, Ca and alk as well. Well worth it though IMO. The additives are a heck of a lot cheaper than the RO/DI + salt.

I also use Scripps water in San Diego. It is all I have ever used since the begining. Corals really react well when you do water changes. Many of us down here in San Diego use it.

This is good news for me

I wish I could get NSW here, but for some reason I don't think the Houston Ship Channel is the best place to get clean water.

I would think not

Also, I am buying some rock from a local reefer tomorrow. Pretty excited to get this thing up and running!

Lucky bastards, lol. At the worst, you could use a UV sterilizer if you're worried about getting baddies in your tank.

Out of curiosity, has anyone ever thought they were having problems storing saltwater in 5g plastic buckets? I just bought a couple from HD to store WC water in and was wondering if the plastic could have a leeching effect or something?

I've always kept my water in 5g buckets.

All plastics will leach organics if heated up to the right temp, but at typical room temps it's nothing to get in a twist about.

Same here have always kept in 5 gallon plastic containers and leave them in the garage. Never had a problem.

All fine and dandy, unless your area has a season of red tide...

Of course, a UV filter would fix this but then you have to worry about your nitrate levels...

don't let NSW sit though, it gos bad

It does go bad? How long does it last?

it needs to be kept with a current. it has microfauna, possibly nutrients, microalgae etc...that can die and cause problems. it is okay to keep it, it just needs to be kept under the same conditions as your tank for example...needs current and can benefit from some filtration if you keep it stored for awhile.

NSW FTW!
i've been using its for about 1.5 years now and its AWESOME.
check this thread out... debated with one of my local reef club guys about it.

http://norcalreefclub.com/forum/viewtopic....your+NSW#p15210

So, I got some live rock coming tomorrow so I decided to put the water I have into my tank and heat it up for the rock. When I put it in, I noticed there was a lot of debris floating around in the water. Is this common for NSW? Do I need to worry about this? I think I might just get my fish net and catch it up. I think it is just dust or something, but I rinsed my tank out before I put the water in. O well.

Debris in your water?!?!
from a university?!?!
dont use it. actually...test it...and see if its still okay to use.

i pump it through a micro sieve, that handles most problems. I also got a UV around here, not that it would remove anything, but it makes me feel better that I am putting it to some use.

I am thinking it is dust... (I hope). I am still going to use it for the LR tomorrow but will be taking it to be tested anyhow.

good.

you can always coffee filter it out if you want

for me that dust seemso help zoa growth? i ono. just a weird observation ive made while using nsw. vs mix

I will have to wait and see how these mystery zoas take to the water. As of right now, the water is cloudy because I just added the sand. Maybe I can get some pics up tomorrow.