For those of you who have large aquariums how do you deal with the high cost of the salt for your tanks? Are there places where you can buy salt in bulk or do you have other solutions?
Large water changes for large aquariums
- Thread starter Itsadeepbluesea
- Start date
The Seattle Aquarium sells their purified salt water for 15c a gallon. You just take large tubs and bottles down there and fill them with the saltwater and you're good to go. Check local public aquariums and see if they'll do something similar.
knifegill;4790530; said:
HOW CAN I DO THIS? I'VE NEVER HEARD ANYTHING THAT AWESOME OMG
Seriously 15c a gallon? Do I just show up or do I need to call someone? Good God man hook me up with some info!
Its like a half hour away from me
WHAT!?!? IVE BEEN PAYING $7.99 for 5 GALLONS !!!!!ANYWHERE IS CALI, LOS ANGLES I CAN DO THIS? OR MAKE MY OWN!?!?!
Using 'used' water defeats the purpose of a water change. Just buy salt when its on sale, and keep it in stock. I have 500 gallon system, and salt is the least of the costs. Electricity is the big cost.
enwelz;4791777; said:HOW CAN I DO THIS? I'VE NEVER HEARD ANYTHING THAT AWESOME OMG
Seriously 15c a gallon? Do I just show up or do I need to call someone? Good God man hook me up with some info!
Its like a half hour away from me
Really not a good deal even if you live a half hour away. Think about it, you have to drive down there and back(gas and time), haul the water out and in to your house(more time). You most likely will not save any money and are going to be spending more time doing it.
I have gotten Instant Ocean 200 gallon boxes as cheap as 40 bucks and always under 50 dollars. That is 20 to 25 cents a gallon.
Then you have the issue of using old water. What are the water parameters of the water you are using? I would assume no nitrates in a public aquarium, but there are no guarantees there. There definitely will be some wastes in there that are not testable and you are adding them into your aquarium. Also, necessary nutrients(trace elements, calcium, etc.) may be low because it is used.
Totally, Totally not worth it in my opinion.
Zfishies;4791807; said:
YIKES!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, make your own. I assume your tank is not very large if you have been paying that for saltwater. Go buy a bucket or box of salt. I use Instant Ocean. Also use a container, airstone, and heater to mix the water in for at least 24 hours. You will need a declorinator as well like Prime to put in the tapwater before adding the salt.
The cost of this will be 25 cents or less per gallon. That is unless you need RODI water, then you would need that filter as well and the total cost would go up.
No, it's not used water. It's freshly filtered from the sea.
I think almost all SW keepers mix their new water from the bucket mixes. Your comment made it sound like you were synthesizing your own SW mix for cheaper than it can be bought.
I think almost all SW keepers mix their new water from the bucket mixes. Your comment made it sound like you were synthesizing your own SW mix for cheaper than it can be bought.