Who here uses NSW? Thoughts?

[mtfish]

How long do you normally store it for? Have you ever stored it for more than a few days with good results or do you use it pretty quickly?

I have stored it for over a month and do not see any issues. To me salt water is salt water as long as salinity does not change due to evaporation. However, I do not have any corals that are super picky as I am mainly a fish guy. I do have a few sps, lots of lps and some soft corals and bubble tip anemones. I have nothing to back this up, but I think storing NSW is easier than storing the artificial stuff long term. I only say this because I believe the real stuff is more stable.

 

[stefanm]

I use it, it's free and a I collect from a clean area with a rope and bucket, 10 25 litre Jerry cans and use as needed usually lasts 2-3 months.

I always collect close to high tide at niggt, I always shine a torch just to make sure no visible nasties. I've never tested it or filtered it, after a water change especially with a fresh batch I see feeder tentacles fully extended and my tang goes nuts also for the plankton.

 

[fishybizzness]

I use it, it's free and a I collect from a clean area with a rope and bucket, 10 25 litre Jerry cans and use as needed usually lasts 2-3 months.

I always collect close to high tide at niggt, I always shine a torch just to make sure no visible nasties. I've never tested it or filtered it, after a water change especially with a fresh batch I see feeder tentacles fully extended and my tang goes nuts also for the plankton.

Do you aerate it or filter it before use? I ask because I use nsw for some of my water changes but I always get it from the beach the same day I'm going to use it. It would be nice to collect enough for a few water change and just store it.

 

[Softhammer]

You guys have me wanting to bring my jerry cans out fishing to fill them up!

 

[stefanm]

Do you aerate it or filter it before use? I ask because I use nsw for some of my water changes but I always get it from the beach the same day I'm going to use it. It would be nice to collect enough for a few water change and just store it.

I don't do anything to it, the Jerry cans are sealed, I've stored for 3 months though I've read on another forum some guy had stored NSW for 20 years or so. This year I need to collect a bit more before the rainy season here, last year I used a salt mix for 4 months absolutely hated it, lots of precipitation due to very high humidity.

 

[stefanm]

You guys have me wanting to bring my jerry cans out fishing to fill them up!

Just do it!

Free exercise too...

 

[madweazl]

I collected water from Scripps (San Diego) and used it for a couple years; sure wish I still had this available. Also collected water off the coast of Okinawa for a year while I was out there (waste deep). Never had better results that when I used NSW.

 

[Softhammer]

If I could only find a way to sneak full jugs of gas on the way out to return to port with seawater in them.. save me big $$ both directions!

 

[EHerbert]

Most of the LFS I frequent use NSW throughout there stores so I've been purchaseing it directly from them for more than four years. I understand that it's shipped in from a facility in Long beach where it is filtered with fiber, sand, and charcoal, ozonated, and protein skimmed. I have had great results with my softie tank. The same water is available at Petco but as you can imagine, they charge about $20 for about five gallons where the LFS only charge about 5/6 bucks.

 

[Borsalino]

Send a sample of NSW to ATI or Triton.
I use NSW from the North Sea, Netherlands pumped at high tide on 6 meters depth.


My test results of ATI of NSW North Sea Water.

//lab.atiaquaristik.com/share/44e2c698916cfa816db0

I think not bad!

I stock the 30 litres Jerry cans in my garage with the cap on it.
For use I filter by filter wool, for any floating particles, algae or something.
Normally I use all stock within 2 months, this smells than fresh to the sea.
A 15% WC every week, the corals grow very fast.

I use a seawater-resistant 120 volt bilge pump of only €59
250 litres pumped in 10 minutes.

 

[stefanm]

Send a sample of NSW to ATI or Triton.
I use NSW from the North Sea, Netherlands pumped at high tide on 6 meters depth.


My test results of ATI of NSW North Sea Water.

//lab.atiaquaristik.com/share/44e2c698916cfa816db0

I think not bad!

I stock the 30 litres Jerry cans in my garage with the cap on it.
For use I filter by filter wool, for any floating particles, algae or something.
Normally I use all stock within 2 months, this smells than fresh to the sea.
A 15% WC every week, the corals grow very fast.

I use a seawater-resistant 120 volt bilge pump of only €59
250 litres pumped in 10 minutes.

Close to Rotterdam? I've been trying to source one of those pumps, unfortunately not found yet, plus i would need around 80 metres of wire to collect from my spot, although running a blige pump gives me more options for a collection spot.

 

[Borsalino]

Neeltje Jans!

 

[SplitBumper-70]

I used to when I lived closer to the inlet...

 

[vetteguy53081]

Florida bound, I too have had thoughts on use and success of natural sea water. I would think it would be a no-brainer but also suspect risk of breakdown of compounds and elements.
As A test, I would experiment with a small or pico system to see how well NSR system manages before setting up and investing into a larger one

 

[Som1else]

Here in San Diego we can fill up our containers with NSW that is collected off the Scripps Pier for the birch aquarium. It comes sand filtered. Ive been using it for years and love it and its free. I still mix every once in a looong while if i dont want to take the time to go fill up my containers. for long term storage i have a couple large 55 gallon plastic drums that i keep filled with the NSW for months on end with no ill effects.