Alzado

Petco sells "real ocean water" that it claims is nitrate and phosphate free. Has anybody used this?

http://www.petco.com/product/11884/P...ean-Water.aspx

Would you still need to cycle your tank if you start with this?

harpua2002

It's a gimmick. They want $10 for 5 gallons of water. It's so much cheaper in the long run to invest in an RO/DI unit. Using RO/DI water, you can mix up 150 gallons or so for about $50 (the cost of a bucket of salt mix).

And you will need to cycle your tank regardless. SW tanks mature much more slowly than FW tanks, and it's best not to try and cut corners.

Matt

Some SW Aquarists here in perth use Real ocean water but they get it straight form the sea so they dont have to pay

-Matt

au01st

Depending on where the water was collected, I'd be hesitant to use 'real' water from the ocean. Unless you're getting it from miles off shore, it's possible and likely it's polluted.

Most LFS I know sell pre mixed ro/di saltwater for $1 a gallon, or plain ro/di for $.50, and you use your own salt mix. I'd rather make it myself and know what's in there than trust them.

Hypnox

I make my own rather than buy to be honest. I got a used 25 GPD unit from ebay for like $35 6 months ago off an estate sale. Best money a person could hope to spend.