Real Ocean water from LFS?

[mxman311]

Is it worth is to spend a buck a gallon on the real ocean water? I have been using RO water from water and ice and mixing the salt in myself. I am using instant ocean and all the fish seem happy. Its time for a water change this weekend and wondering if i should take a 5 gallon jug to work and get it filled on the way home or just use my normal instant ocean water.

[zackish]

I would just keep mixing your own.
Are you talking about the stuff that comes in a 2.2 gallon jug.....I forget the name of it but it is called pure ocean water blah blah.

[Tigerbarb]

I was attracted by real-ocean water, but I don't see how it wouldn't spike your water paremeters if it is really ocean water, and it seems like a bad deal to get 5 gallons of ocean water for the price of 60 gallons of salt mix.

[mxman311]

Well my LFS has a huge jug of it. It is only $1.00 a gallon so I was thinking about giving it a try.

[Tigerbarb]

$1/gallon is an okay deal, although you'd save alot of $ if you mixed your own SW.

[Fish4Fun]

I was thinking along the same lines and was advised by 3 seperate SW stockists not to. The chances of wrong bacteria and pollutants (oils etc) getting into the tank was not worth the risk, I live in Townsville QLD where we are surrounded by beach and reef ( Great Barrier). I use Red Sea Coral plus with added calcium. 7 KG Bucket does 210 Litres ( 30 Liters a KG) all my corals are thriving after only two months of owning the tank. I have had one spawn since setting up. Coral emerging everywhere. Why Risk it, Interested to see how you go.

[Tigerbarb]

I was thinking along the same lines and was advised by 3 seperate SW stockists not to. The chances of wrong bacteria and pollutants (oils etc) getting into the tank was not worth the risk, I live in Townsville QLD where we are surrounded by beach and reef ( Great Barrier). I use Red Sea Coral plus with added calcium. 7 KG Bucket does 210 Litres ( 30 Liters a KG) all my corals are thriving after only two months of owning the tank. I have had one spawn since setting up. Coral emerging everywhere. Why Risk it, Interested to see how you go.

Off topic, I know, but what is your home like, living near the great barrier reef? Is it a very expensive house, or something anyone with a good job could afford? How close is your house to the reef/beach? Sorry about asking all these questions, but I was actually wanting to live near the great barrier reef some time.