NSW vs salt mix

[Achilles Tang]

I had a brief discussion with Morgan yesterday as he gave me a lift home after the CoralFarm LCK visit.

Because Morgan and I have bigger than average tanks... we discussed about saltwater and the trade-offs like costs, pollution, parasites, clarity and other stuff between using natural seawater and saltmix.

For $60, he can get like a ton of NSW to fill up his tanks and I have to cough up like $180 for two boxes of salt to make just 150 gallons of saltwater.

I would like to find out more about how many of our Reef Club members here actually use NSW and how many use saltmixes.

What are the differences to your tank and to your pocket?

Do you get higher nitrates, DOM or parasites from NSW? Do you feel that there is little difference?

[Morgan]

Hi AT

I have just check the nitrates of the water that was in the the tub, show 0 ppm. I am using bioscience...........not too sure that it is accurate. Just for info.

[kelstorm]

IMO, i would go for the mix.. coz i get the feeling or mindset that NSW do have all the parasites that u had mentioned.. and i dun want to risk that... rather pay a bit more and be safe..

[tigershark]

how to carry 180G of water??? using a truck?? it is difficult to carry even a 20 gallon container filled with fresh water taking a cab, unless for those who owns a car....i think the first question should be how to transport the NSW.... :D:D just my 2 cents....

[ECBM]

tigershark,

I do have contactor which sent toyour doorstep if you are taking alot

[Phang]

Hi ECBM,

What's the min amount required and the rates....???

[Achilles Tang]

Ahem.... any comments to add on NSW, ECBM?

[tigershark]

tigershark,

I do have contactor which sent toyour doorstep if you are taking alot

home delivery? how do they charge? what is the minimum purchase? can advise, might want to try using NSW...

[Phang]

Can share a bit about NSW...

I used to obtain NSW from LFS... not much of a problem till I heard that some LFS recycle water from their stock tanks in large water containers before releasing them to us as NSW....

Comments from some LFS also claims that water found nearer to shorelines tend to be polluted and contaminated....

After that, I revert back to salt mix.... (better safe than sorry)...

[ong]

I use NSW purchase from LFS which should be safe as the SW had got thro' a proper UV and biofilteration unit. Test the water b4 pour into tank. So far no problem. 10 gal. for $3. Rgds

[Achilles Tang]

What about the salinity of the LFS NSW?

I heard the salinity is off by a lot at times?

[ong]

1.022

[B|uEc@rpEt]

I am fine with anything as long as its the best for my reef tank.

Actually i m looking for the brand of salt called Marine-environment...cun seem to find it.

m currently using Bio-Sal from Aquatechnic...so far okie...but there will be slight cloudiness when new water is made with the salt.

fyi

[Achilles Tang]

Got 2 jerry cans for NSW from Ocean Planet.

Did a taste test... taste like saltwater... heh heh!

Tested salinity using my refractometer... 1.024.

Tested PH.... 8.12.

I'll do a no2/no3 test and alk test later.

I'm pretty pooped today... and tomorrow's gonna be a loooooong day!

[keithtanbb]

As this is an old post, but subject is near to my heart....NSW versus salt mix...I tend to want to believe in filtered sea water, will setup a 3 ft tank at the same time as my other 7 ft tank , and experiment on NSW from , yes our east coast...will feed back to you guys my little experiment...already bought recycle jerrican from :eddy General Contractor & Supplier Category : Drums & Barrels-Plastic

Address : 2 Tuas Dr 1 Singapore 638669

Telephone : 6861 0031 /6865 3387Joyce (18litres ard $2.90, 20 litres=$3.plus...cheap!), will try it out.....WATCH THIS SPACE!!!

[zorden]

I am fine with anything as long as its the best for my reef tank.

Actually i m looking for the brand of salt called Marine-environment...cun seem to find it.

m currently using Bio-Sal from Aquatechnic...so far okie...but there will be slight cloudiness when new water is made with the salt.

fyi

try to pm or call our sponsor "Marine Life"

he got marine environment salt

[pegasus1010]

i using nsw, my source from irwana.

no problem at all - 1.022, but subsequent top up with freshwater the level will raise, so no issue here either.

[releeps]

I brought mine from Iwarna also...got assurance that the NSW gone through UV and filtration. Anyway they are using the same water source for their tanks so tink should be ok .

Other LFS dont noe

[djviper]

wanna ask can i take saltwater from east coast than i skim and uv it ??

cuz i live quite near the sea

[pegasus1010]

wanna ask can i take saltwater from east coast than i skim and uv it ??

cuz i live quite near the sea

sure u can.

[Ancelot]

IMO,

I believe the introduction of UV is rather redundant or in my opinion does more harm than good. Let's think abt the reason why we use NSW in the first place.

In my view, i use NSW because i like the huge amount of organisms present initially in the water, which are intricate food sources for my corals and the introduction of life into the tank. So by passing through UV, arent we killing the organisms present in the water? without these organisms, what different does NSW differs from salt mix? monetary sense? well maybe.. but the devoid of organisms through the implementation of UV to NSW in my opinion will make NSW no different from salt mix...

BUT i will still use NSW but without the implementation of UV. Cause i think i need the organisms exa phytoplankton which is rich in Singapore waters and compared to salt mix, phytoplankton is something salt mix cannot offer...

I hope my point gets across...if not, a PM will be good

Jus my 2 cents worth...

[totoro17]

Hi ECBM,

What's the min amount required and the rates....???

did he reply? min how much? can pm the contact?