Using Ocean Water

[chrispyness]

Greetings,

I live in the US in the northeast state of of Maine. I’m about 15 minutes from the ocean. Is it ok to use the ocean water for my future tank? I’d obviously warm it up first but chemistry wise, is there a big enough difference in salinity or other parameters? A big risk of harmful bacteria?

 

[saltwaterfish.com Verified Sponsor]

There will be a risk of getting things like parasites, harmful bacteria or fungus. Anytime you use ocean water you don't really know what you're putting in your tank. You can run it through a sterilization process but then you'll have excess dead bacteria in your water as well. I would recommend against it personally unless you're planning on doing a native tank setup and sourcing everything from the outside.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I think that if you can get ocean water from a clean location in Maine, it’s a fine plan. I’ve collected water in Rockport MA several times over the years, though I mostly use a salt mix.

Getting natural organisms (e.g., bacteria) is more likely a plus than a minus, IMO. But it is possible to get cyano and dino strains.

 

[joseph scott]

I have more than 200 gallons of NSW in my 206 gallon aquarium here in florida all collected on an incoming tide at Longboat key pass. I do water changes using the same water. I have the same issues other reefers have, like Dinoflagellates, and hair algae, but nothing unheard of or unexpected.

 

[LiverockRocks Verified Sponsor]

100% natural saltwater, carefully collected, is a great choice.

 

[Uncle99]

Greetings,

I live in the US in the northeast state of of Maine. I’m about 15 minutes from the ocean. Is it ok to use the ocean water for my future tank? I’d obviously warm it up first but chemistry wise, is there a big enough difference in salinity or other parameters? A big risk of harmful bacteria?

I’d do an ICP test first, just so you have some idea what’s going in.

 

[areefer01]

Quick note but check with your fish and game. Let them know you want to reduce water waste of RODI and use natural sea water. I live in California and did the same. Their answer after a bit of talking to other agencies was to stay out of marine parks or reserves. That made sense.

Also probably a good idea to stay away from golf courses and farms. Fertilizers and pesticide potential run off. I tied my water collection when using it to a day of diving in Monterey, Ca. So had to be aware of the area I collected since our dive sites are around both of those. That was the main concern Fish and Game gave me.

 

[old_salt]

My backyard is a Protected Marine Reserve in NorCal.

Taking anything, including seawater, is illegal.

I have seen Fish and Wildlife agents draw their weapons on abalone divers.

 

[chrispyness]

100% natural saltwater, carefully collected, is a great choice.

What would you describe as “carefully collected?”

 

[chrispyness]

My backyard is a Protected Marine Reserve in NorCal.

Taking anything, including seawater, is illegal.

I have seen Fish and Wildlife agents draw their weapons on abalone divers.

I imagine that’s only because it’s a protected reserve, correct?

 

[areefer01]

I imagine that’s only because it’s a protected reserve, correct?

Yes. Reserves, state, federal, parks. Seems silly since all we are taking water but... A quick call to fish and game could give you peace of mind.

Also forgot to mention that when I collected NSW I would treat it as I would a dive. I would check water conditions before in the area. Monterey has a lot of public beaches and/or diving locations so would post bacteria levels. Sea lions and otters breeding can foul up the water pretty bad.

I know it sounds like we are over thinking this but you don't want to be tripped up on something silly.

 

[areefer01]

My backyard is a Protected Marine Reserve in NorCal.

Taking anything, including seawater, is illegal.

I have seen Fish and Wildlife agents draw their weapons on abalone divers.

Yeah - that is why I called. Also the water resource control board. Seems silly, especially when trying to conserve water, but felt it was better to be safe than sorry.

 

[chrispyness]

I imagine that’s only because it’s a protected reserve, correct?

Yes. Reserves, state, federal, parks. Seems silly since all we are taking water but... A quick call to fish and game could give you peace of mind.

Also forgot to mention that when I collected NSW I would treat it as I would a dive. I would check water conditions before in the area. Monterey has a lot of public beaches and/or diving locations so would post bacteria levels. Sea lions and otters breeding can foul up the water pretty bad.

I know it sounds like we are over thinking this but you don't want to be tripped up on something silly.

Sorry, what is NSW?

 

[Fish Fan]

NSW is Natural Sea Water.

 

[JGT]

@Paul B used to collect it out on Long Island NY. He can probably provide some advice.

 

[kevgib67]

@kingranch2003 swears by it.

 

[joseph scott]

There will be a risk of getting things like parasites, harmful bacteria or fungus. Anytime you use ocean water you don't really know what you're putting in your tank. You can run it through a sterilization process but then you'll have excess dead bacteria in your water as well. I would recommend against it personally unless you're planning on doing a native tank setup and sourcing everything from the outside.

 

[joseph scott]

I’ve had FWC officers question me abut what i was doing with all the 5 gallon buckets of water i was collecting. I wish i could have recorded their expressions when I told them I was stealing the ocean 5 gallons at a time. I then told them it was for a saltwater aquarium, they had no problem.