Someone please help

jay622

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I have a serious question i want to start a saltwater tank, a 40 gallon and i want to purchase 40 gallons worth of nutri seawater now ill still check parameters and cycle as usual but i just needed to know , when i do my water changes , would i have to purchase more nutriseawater or can i make my own saltwater for the water changes?
 

TOM-779

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Hi yes you buy Aquarium salt from LFS (such as Red Sea, instant ocean etc) and mix with RO water
 

Tahoe61

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The water column doesn't hold a significant amount of beneficial bacteria. I wouldn't spend the money.
Yes you can start with NSW and then use mix.


🙂
 

mfinn

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Fish Fan

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Just buy a salt mix and mix your own from the beginning. You need some form of purified water to start with, that's the key. Most will have a Reverse Osmosis with DeIonization (RODI) filter to produce basically pure water from their home tap or even well water. That's the most cost effective solution long-term. If you don't yet have an RODI filter to make purified freshwater, then purchase distilled water for your local grocery store. At about a dollar or so per gallon, even filling your tank for the first time will be reasonably affordable, and it will get you started off right, without worrying about having to change anything later. There's lots of salt mixes to choose from, but I'm going to suggest you start with regular Instant Ocean Sea Salt (not their Reef Crystals) until you have a need for any other salt. Instant Ocean Sea Salt has been around for decades, and many, many successful reefers use it, including large public aquaria. It's got some draw backs, but it's a fine place to start, it's affordable, and available just about anywhere, including PetCo, Amazon, or even Chewy 🙂

Good luck!
 
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mmorrison55

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I have a serious question i want to start a saltwater tank, a 40 gallon and i want to purchase 40 gallons worth of nutri seawater now ill still check parameters and cycle as usual but i just needed to know , when i do my water changes , would i have to purchase more nutriseawater or can i make my own saltwater for the water changes?
What’s your space like in your house? Meaning do you have a basement or an extra room with water and a drain?

Many people make do with their bathroom sink and house the rodi unit underneath and make water up as needed, and carry it in 5 gallon buckets back and forth from their tank.

Heck many people carry multiple 5 gallon containers back and forth from their local fish store and buy all their rodi for topping off and saltwater for water changes. Buying saltwater and RODI water from a LFS adds up fast. A home RODI is the way to go if you can swing it.

If you have the space, a 40 gallon brute trash can will make your life much easier. That way you can make up more rodi and mix the salt to last you a few weeks or a month of water changes.

I find that if it’s easy, then we tend to do it more often. thats especially true for aquarium tank maintenance.

I don’t want to dissuade you from going into the hobby, but this is something to think about so you don’t spend a lot of money only to get frustrated and quit in a few months.
 

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