Ocean water

I'm going to be getting ocean water for my fowlr and using that pretty much for filling and all water changes. (I know I know.. the debate about doing this) I will be going about 1-2 miles or more out to collect the water to make sure its pretty pure.. but one thing I keep thinking about is evaporation. I will still need to top off with fresh water every week and was trying to avoid having to get an RO/DI... any ideas on what else I can do for my top off water to keep it simple? I also was open to ideas on what I could collect the water in and transport it back by boat, if anyone can think of something that would seal decent. I would need to do the first fill up about 100 gallons and then only about 20 gallons for my water changes. I didn't want to have to do multiple trips for the initial fill up.

 

You're going to need the RO/DI system. If you only top off with sea water your salinity will creep up. The only thing you're saving is the salt, if you get out to the BLUE water it'll be full of nutrients but that's not cheap.

 

IMO if your in this hobby your gonna need certain tools like anything else. It's always going to be give and take. Save money on salt but spend money on gas to get water from the ocean. A tool that's necessary to me is an RODI unit. It's not that expensive when you consider the payoff. Think about it, top off with tap then you'll be chasing algae and who knows what else is in there causing you to spend more money and time trying to fix additional problems. You won't regret getting a good Rodi unit.

 

Sounds to me like after a few trips you ll be spending more in fuel than you would for salt and a Ro/DI. I think there are several boards from a while beck that speak of using natural sea water in tanks and some of the issues surrounding that. Using Ro/DI water is really the only decent way in my opinion to top off your tank. Otherwise you will be chasing issues with your system constantly. To me, it s a headache that just is not worth it. Just my 2c. If you decide to go the sea water route, please let us know the results, particularly long term if you stick with it.

 

I know I need to top off with fresh water. We go out on the boat at least once a month for 8+ months out of the year so on these trips I will just get my 20 gallons. Its the initial 100 I am more concerned with.

 

I would have no issues with collecting my own NSW if I had easy access. I will suggest testing pH and nutrient levels before using.
2 plastic 50g barrels will do the initial fill-up.

Methods for distilling tap water using common household items are readily available on the internet.

HTH

 

Daily freshwater topoffs will be needed to maintain salinity not weekly.

 

NSW may bring more problems than the money your saving. There could be a host of problems with the water from parasites to ph and phosphate levels. Possibly even metal contamination or other contaminants currently in our oceans. Just my two cents.

John

 

Keep in mind with your non multiple trip initial fill up that saltwater is right around the 8 lb mark per gallon.

 

I like 20 mins from the east coast in FL I thought about this also but some of the guys above are right. may pick up more trouble then its worth with possible parasites, heavy metals or even trace amounts of hydrocarbons from other boaters.