View Full Version : collecting salt water
nmrsco
12-03-2007, 7:44 PM
I have never kept saltwater tanks before, but ever since I found a store that sells marine fish, I have been really interested. I have been reading a lot about marine tanks and fish and plan on setting something up, possibly a 20 long. now to the point- I have a question that is probably going to sound stupid to all you marine experts, but can you collect ocean water for use in marine tanks? If you can, is it only in certain places? I thought that salt content would probably be the same pretty much everywhere, but what about other factors? would I have to filter it or something? I know I have a long way to go, so I will probably be asking plenty of questions
thanks
kjbrat
12-03-2007, 7:51 PM
It's generally recommended not to use water collected from the ocean, for many different reasons. If you live in an area of high boat traffic most likely the water will contain diesel/oil residues, which are not good for your tank inhabitants. Water that comes from frequently used beaches will have higher levels of bad bacteria, and there's really no way to get these out without killing anything good that may be in there. The salinity can be variable even in a small geographic area due to many factors. You could also potentially bring in harmful viruses or parasites without knowing it.
So in a nutshell, I wouldn't recommend doing it. Mixing saltwater, esp for a small tank, really isn't hard...I've had a 20 long for almost a year now and making the water has been the easiest part. It gives you more control over your system. Good luck and if you have more questions ask.
nmrsco
12-03-2007, 8:07 PM
thanks for the input. I thought it might be convenient to collect my own water instead of buying the stuff and mixing it, and I know of lots of places right nearby that connect directly to the open ocean, where no one would dare to swim or boat near, so I dont think pollutants would be much of a problem. do you think it would really be better just to mix my own?
kjbrat
12-03-2007, 8:10 PM
Yes, definitely better to mix your own! Even though no one swims or boats around there supposedly, you don't know what kind of chemicals/pollutants runoff into the water in that area. It really is not hard and not expensive. Then down the line, should you have a problem in your tank, you'll know it didn't come from a chemical or parasite or bacterium that you got from the ocean.
Using reverse osmosis water is the best way to go, also.
Grins
12-03-2007, 11:16 PM
I'd not get water or sand from the beach. As previously stated there are too many risks with bacteria, waste (even from sealife), parasites, etc.
nmrsco
12-04-2007, 9:20 PM
thanks guys for the responses- I just want to mention that I wouldnt collect from a beach, but a penninsula that juts right into the open ocean, extremely stormy and dangerous with no beaches or boating areas anywhere nearby. but I do see the problems and will probably just go with mixing my own
nmrsco
12-04-2007, 9:22 PM
I have another question now- what kind of sand would you suggest for a small setup like around 20 gallons?
Grins
12-04-2007, 11:54 PM
Marine sand called aragonite. Comes in different grades/sizes.
TropicalNorth
12-05-2007, 2:54 AM
I collect my own seawater, nearly all reefers who live near the ocean in Australia do because its considered heaps better than mixed stuff. Even people who don't live near the coast can sometimes get it delivered. I've never heard of anyone bringing in bad diseases, parasites or bacteria. Sometimes the salinity is a little high so I just add some freshwater.
I'm not sure why collecting seawater in america isn't popular but if there isn't any pollution I can't see why not.
Bit of info.
http://www.masa.asn.au/masawiki/index.php?title=Collecting_Natural_Seawater
http://www.masa.asn.au/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=182117&highlight=nsw+collecting
Because of things mentioned earlier. Pollution, parasites, the frothy natural skimate along the shore where many would try to collect...
Reefscape
12-05-2007, 7:38 AM
I collect my own seawater, nearly all reefers who live near the ocean in Australia do because its considered heaps better than mixed stuff. Even people who don't live near the coast can sometimes get it delivered. I've never heard of anyone bringing in bad diseases, parasites or bacteria. Sometimes the salinity is a little high so I just add some freshwater.
I'm not sure why collecting seawater in america isn't popular but if there isn't any pollution I can't see why not.
Bit of info.
http://www.masa.asn.au/masawiki/index.php?title=Collecting_Natural_Seawater
http://www.masa.asn.au/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=182117&highlight=nsw+collecting
The main thing there to note is that you dont know what is in the water as you cant test for pollutants unless you get a sample sent off for testing by a water company. Even then, if it comes back as clear of pollutants, your never getting the same water twice from the ocean as its always moving. I personaly think its a risk not work taking for me...
Just my opinion
Niko
fsn77
12-05-2007, 11:44 AM
Purely my opinion, but if I lived in Australia and could collect seawater from somewhere near the Great Barrier Reef, I probably would. However, I'm in the US, where there's nothing near as nice as the Great Barrier Reef off our coast to make me feel like using the seawater around here to keep a reef tank.
I might collect some of the the UK's north sea water and dump it in my tank as see how many eyes and fins my fish can grow and just how freakishly big my shrimps would grow too ha ha
Reefscape
12-05-2007, 12:48 PM
I might collect some of the the UK's north sea water and dump it in my tank as see how many eyes and fins my fish can grow and just how freakishly big my shrimps would grow too ha ha
:rofl: ....so funny...kinds reminds me of Blinky off the simpsons....lol...
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t303/atnixon69/blinky-tm.jpg
Niko
:rofl: ....so funny...kinds reminds me of Blinky off the simpsons....lol...
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t303/atnixon69/blinky-tm.jpg
Niko
Thats what sparked the idea lol
I might collect some of the the UK's north sea water and dump it in my tank as see how many eyes and fins my fish can grow and just how freakishly big my shrimps would grow too ha ha
Ah ha! Suddenly the aliens in Niko's rock are explained!
duneenworywifit
12-05-2007, 5:23 PM
living in bermuda the water here is nice and clean,we have beatiful reefs.I would use it if I could but that would be to much work .so I make it....
TropicalNorth
12-06-2007, 2:44 AM
Well all I can say is it works for me and the ocean around here isn't exactly pristine, its a boating and estuary area. The corals love it and I have less algae than I used to. But if your afraid of pollutants in built up areas then fair enough. I do know however that parasites and bacteria aren't an issue.
snailrider
12-06-2007, 5:16 PM
nmrsco-There is one way to find out.
Before you experiment, make sure you understand the risks as mentioned earlier.
Worst case scenario, you will gain valuable hands on experience in dealing with things that come up. That in itself isn't the worst thing in the world.
If my memory serves me, your water is fairly cold up there. When you bring the temp up to the standard marine tank temp, things will grow. They may be good, they may be not so good.
If you decide to collect from the sea, I would recomend the most turbulent area to take from, not a stagnant or low flow area. Just be safe when doing so. Some surf isn't worth risking your life over, especially for a fish tank.
Take pictures lots of pictures
nmrsco
12-06-2007, 7:56 PM
wow lots of responses I hate to drag this thread on but...
snailrider- the places I was thinking of collecting are on point judith(where I live) and jut straight out into the ocean. they are very stormy and dangerous because of the surf and rocks. the only building really close by is a light house. and about boating- I always wondered why there where never any boats around when I went there, but over the summer my uncle took me fishing off point judith. not surprisingly, there were no other boats in sight. the surf tossed the boat around like crazy- if my uncle wasnt as experienced as he is the boat would have easily been rolled right over or thrown into rocks. we didnt actually get the chance to fish because it was so wild. I dont think he actually brought me there to fish as to teach me how to handle the boat in such conditions. I have so many boating stories but I dont want to take this off topic and bore you guys. anyway, I think I will just stick with making my own water just for the sake of simplicity
Dragao
04-02-2009, 9:01 PM
I'm thinking of starting an aquarium myself. I've been reading and doing some research for a while and read both sides of the story. Still trying to weight out pros vs. cons. Acutally, i'm more inclined to collecting rocks, sand and water from the wild. I live in the caribbean and besides any parasites or sealife that may come in with the sand or rocks dont think i will have any problems. My dad used to collect water from a reef nearby and never had any problems. Regarding the rocks and sand he didn't go that way. One of the doubts i still have is if curing rocks and cycling my tank will kill pests and parasite that may come along?
ram303
04-03-2009, 6:18 AM
I also collect water from the ocean. As long as you follow some simple rules you sholdnt have any problems.
rule 1 Collect water just befor the peak of high tide
2 only collect water from direct sunlight.( most parasites and mico organisums hate the UV light)
3 the deeper the water the better.
Iv had marine tanks for almost 3 years now, and have never had any problems.
except during the wet seasons, when the salinitys down.
I collect mine from a local boat ramp, when the tide is right up. i use a 1500lph power head a 12v-240v inverter and 2 44gal plastic drums.
i have found this method the best and fastest.
we also collect a lot of stuff from the ocean, including gravel, wich is as live as you can possably get.As tropical north says if the oceans where you live are in pristeen condition the you shouldnt ever have any problems. that includes live rock, fish, just about anything. you should check with your fisheraries department. about the local laws. if all thats ok then go for it.
as far as collecting from the wild goes, 90% of what you see in your lfs is wild caught.and belive me a large percentage of whats in the pet shops isnt always
collected in the best ways. eg using sulfer is still somwhat common. if you collect things yourself then you know it wasnt harmed while you where doing is.Always pay the enviroment the utmost respect only take what is abundant, never just turn over rocks and leave them upside down.reef walking can be a great hobby in its self...
Ace25
04-03-2009, 10:35 AM
Here is my experience, in California there are 2 places semi-close to me that gives out free ocean water, UCSB college, and Scripps water down near San Diego. UCSB has a pipe that goes out 500 meters into the ocean to collect it, and it is still VERY BAD water. Every person that has tried using it has had major problems, mainly algae. From everything I have read, you have to go out several miles into the ocean and collect the water from several hundred feet deep most places in the US because of pollution/run off from farm pestisides getting into the water near the coast. I tried it for a few months, even after being told not to, and sure enough my tank started going downhill fast. Lesson learned, unless you live in a pristine area (like near the Great Barrier Reef) it just isn't worth it to collect ocean water, sand, or rocks. Actually, it is illegal to harvest rocks many places. You have to get permits to collect rocks/livestock from the ocean most of the time and that is not an easy process. Always check with your local laws to make sure your not breaking any. No laws against collecting water that I have heard of though, just not a good idea most of the time.