store bought saltwater
- Thread starter ckwatson
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All my SW is store bought.
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If you must by water, buy RO/DI from the store and add the salt yourself. That way you are sure that it is of constant quality and salinity. Also, ask the store to test the conductivity of the fresh water when you buy it, it should read 0, but 1 is OK.
I used to buy water, but I stopped when I saw the store dump my bucket into the storage container to get out the water. I stored those buckets in my garage, not too far from my lawn chemicals. Although the inside of the buckets were clean, who knows about the outside? And if they do that on everyone's bucket, they were just asking for a problem down the road with contamination. I also tested the water once I had a conductivity meter and it read over 10 from the store. Obviously they had not changed the filters in a while. Inthe long run it is much cheaper and easier to make your own at home and salt it yourself. All you need is a few buckets, salt, a refractometer, and a RO/DI system.
I used to buy water, but I stopped when I saw the store dump my bucket into the storage container to get out the water. I stored those buckets in my garage, not too far from my lawn chemicals. Although the inside of the buckets were clean, who knows about the outside? And if they do that on everyone's bucket, they were just asking for a problem down the road with contamination. I also tested the water once I had a conductivity meter and it read over 10 from the store. Obviously they had not changed the filters in a while. Inthe long run it is much cheaper and easier to make your own at home and salt it yourself. All you need is a few buckets, salt, a refractometer, and a RO/DI system.
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Is that all you need? :lol2:
That is easily $200-$300 investment...yes in the long run it would be worth it but that isnt really an answer to the question and alot of people cant afford that. I have been using petland water without any issues at all. Ask them to check their salinity and water infront of you. As well the water is filled via a hose that is controled by a valve.
Yeah people have discussed it on here before I think it came down to people not knowing when filters have been changed and what not. Really it is the same concerns as fish store water. On a side note I know people that use regular tap water without any issues....you guys might know Sal
I think you can piece it all together for a little under 200- all brand new. And I did the math before I bought an RO/DI unit- that payback period on it was less than 10 months. Well worth the investment for the added peace of mind.
And really, you're talking about the most important component of your system- the water.
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How large of a tank do you have?
Payback period would be contingent on the price of the water and the size of your tank (how much water you use). I have a 12g, and get RO water for free. Spending $200 on all of that equipment for this small of a tank would not seem to make much sense. I'm sure there are plenty more people in my boat. Thus, recommending buying all of your own equipment as the only option is just a narrow.
I'm not trying to call you out specifically, but it seems there is an abundance of people on this board that have unlimited money to spend on this hobby and assume everyone else does as well. It would be nice if the more experienced people took the poor/cheap people into account more often when giving advice.
It's a 72. And yes, it obviously doesn't make sense for you, or anyone else in a similar situation, to buy an RO/DI unit- especially when you get RO water for free. I was just making the point that in a hobby where we sometimes spend 50 bucks on a piece of coral, a $100 investment for clean water is not outrageous. I apologize if it came across that I wasn't taking other's financial situations into consideration. I too, am on a budget. I was just recanting my story of how it made sense for me to go that route.
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I hear ya, man. I'd love to have the money and space for an elaborate setup, but it just isn't in the cards (yet). One day. . . :yes:
Other bennies too in having an RO/DI:
~ great for making coffee & ice tea, reconstituting orange juice, making Kool-Aid, etc.
~ crystal clear ice cubes (hook it up to your icemaker, if you can)
~ drinking water (refill all your Dasani or Aquafina bottles and keep a bunch in the 'fridge.
~ watering houseplants (none of that crispy chemical build-up on the surface of the soil)
~ hand-washing delicate clothing
~ water for your steam iron
And probably a gazillion other uses. Even our dogs drink RO now!
........ and something else: <u>it's great for sharing with other reefer friends</u>. There's always extra. Who can possibly use that many gallons per day?
~ great for making coffee & ice tea, reconstituting orange juice, making Kool-Aid, etc.
~ crystal clear ice cubes (hook it up to your icemaker, if you can)
~ drinking water (refill all your Dasani or Aquafina bottles and keep a bunch in the 'fridge.
~ watering houseplants (none of that crispy chemical build-up on the surface of the soil)
~ hand-washing delicate clothing
~ water for your steam iron
And probably a gazillion other uses. Even our dogs drink RO now!
........ and something else: <u>it's great for sharing with other reefer friends</u>. There's always extra. Who can possibly use that many gallons per day?
