Yeah, I found that out whilst asking questions on the top of the Giant Ocean Tank. Q:“How do you deal with nitrates?” A: “we dump it into the harbor”One more note: if using a boat ramp, do that after most of the traffic has passed, like a weekday, and don’t use ones that people dump nasty fish racks or bait at. Use common sense. The New England Aquarium uses Boston Harbor Water, and always has.
yeah, good pointIf you need only 5-10gallons per waterchange, it’s probably a fun routine to get out to the water. However I don’t see the fun in collecting 20gallons+ and have to heat it up.
The hobby does not go away, neither does the need for water. If you are set up right it is free and easy. I don’t lug buckets. I pump water from point A to point B. Usually while having a beer.If you need only 5-10gallons per waterchange, it’s probably a fun routine to get out to the water. However I don’t see the fun in collecting 20gallons+ and have to heat it up.
Do you filter it at all?Don’t collect NSW if:
1. It rained excessively
2. There has been heavy weather and water is murky
3. It looks bad or smells bad
Do collect it if:
1. It is the top half of an incoming tide at your collection point.
2. You are in a well flushed location at the entrance to a harbor or outside a harbor.
3. You want to try it
You will have to:
Adjust Alk, pH, temp and salinity if you like tropical water quality, although it will work straight if used in small quantities.
I do just filter large particulates, with a sock as it flows into my storage tank. I try not to use water that is loaded with plankton or sediment though.Do you filter it at all?
Lol, I wasn’t thinking dry beach sand, more like a couple meters out, but it’s not arogonite, it’s silica, so that poses a problem. And yes, PaulB talks about using NSW and increasing the salinity. He says the water is “weak” but strong in pieces of hotdog near Coney IslandDoesn't PaulB use water from NY? I cant see using the sand though.... so many nasty things and peoples nasty feet have been on it
This is regular silica beach sand/mud type stuff? And no issues with diatoms? What makes it so good for your tank? What has your experience been?I'm on my 8th year using sand from under the water at low tide from Humarock. It's in all 6 of my reef tanks, absolutely love it. Have done 9 moves with it, can't see myself using anything else in fact I'll probably grab more at the end of the summer, I need more for the 180g. That's my experience to toss into the thought equation.