Natural Seawater of Mixed for Start-Up?

Rik James · 08/28/2006, 01:07 PM

Is natural seawater better for tank setup than mixed saltwater with RO?

I noticed when I set up my 12 gallon with NSW I barely had an algae problem, and still don't to this day. With my new 90 gallon setup with mixed R/O DI saltwater the algae is going crazy. Wondering why this is.

Also wondering how I can get rid of the algae in my 90 gallon. I guess shorten the lighting cycle? add UV sterilizer? Keeps getting worse. I have 10 turbos and a handful of hermits. How long should the algae stage of tank cycling last?

Water parameters are ammonia, and nitrite 0, nitrate 3, phosphate .25, calcium 460. SG 1.025, and temp held very steady at 80 deg.

In my 90 I have 130lbs of live rock, 4" bed of live sand, ASM skimmer rated for 220 gallons, and DIY 30 gallon sump with refugium (no macro yet). Lighting is 2 x 250 MH 14K, and PC actinics.

Thanks,
Matt

Shagsbeard · 08/28/2006, 01:15 PM

It really depends on where your NSW came from and how it was filtered. UCSB, and likely UCR, has really really good NSW free to the public. UCSB's infact is a tap outside the marine bio lab. If you contact the bio lab at UCR you might be able to get good NSW there.

Unfiltered NSW can be good too, or could be really bad... it all depends. Don't get your water straight out of Long Beach harbor and expect it to be pure. Most recommend at least 1/4 mile off shore, and at least a week after a storm when nitrates are up.

08/28/2006, 01:07 PM	#1
Rik James Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 33	Natural Seawater of Mixed for Start-Up? Is natural seawater better for tank setup than mixed saltwater with RO? I noticed when I set up my 12 gallon with NSW I barely had an algae problem, and still don't to this day. With my new 90 gallon setup with mixed R/O DI saltwater the algae is going crazy. Wondering why this is. Also wondering how I can get rid of the algae in my 90 gallon. I guess shorten the lighting cycle? add UV sterilizer? Keeps getting worse. I have 10 turbos and a handful of hermits. How long should the algae stage of tank cycling last? Water parameters are ammonia, and nitrite 0, nitrate 3, phosphate .25, calcium 460. SG 1.025, and temp held very steady at 80 deg. In my 90 I have 130lbs of live rock, 4" bed of live sand, ASM skimmer rated for 220 gallons, and DIY 30 gallon sump with refugium (no macro yet). Lighting is 2 x 250 MH 14K, and PC actinics. Thanks, Matt __________________ I'm Rick James

08/28/2006, 01:15 PM	#2
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	It really depends on where your NSW came from and how it was filtered. UCSB, and likely UCR, has really really good NSW free to the public. UCSB's infact is a tap outside the marine bio lab. If you contact the bio lab at UCR you might be able to get good NSW there. Unfiltered NSW can be good too, or could be really bad... it all depends. Don't get your water straight out of Long Beach harbor and expect it to be pure. Most recommend at least 1/4 mile off shore, and at least a week after a storm when nitrates are up.