tdj5 Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 (edited) what's better artificial or natural sea water looking at setting one up again Edited October 25, 2015 by tdj5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cam07 Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 I have always used natural sea water, unless I have no access to it. I really can't see how much difference it would make and it would come down to if you have the time and want to play making your own mix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdj5 Posted October 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 I had nsw last time but I must off got some think when I was getting the water Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase86uxb Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 I don't know what's "better" .... But I use NSW never had a prob with it for me it's cheaper and easier than buying salt and mixing That said I do have a 20kg Bucket of reef salt just in case....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brodie7744 Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Artificial only because I know what going into my tank and because I always have it on hand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rainbowrunner Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 I always used seawater but kept it for about 6 weeks in sealed dark containers before use to stop disease and parasites Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smicko Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 I use artificial, i know it has the correct amount and type of elements that the reef needs and I don't have to dose anything. I think it's easier to mix salt than to get natural then have to do all the tests and work out dosing amounts for magnesium, calcium etc. I used natural until I had a bacteria bloom that wiped out the tank overnight. Alot of the time I had to adjust salinity as it came in at anything up to 1.033 depending on the time of year and rain fall. Cheers mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Netto14 Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 I use Red Sea Coral Pro Salt. I've used a few different brands over the years, but I find that this one just mixes up a lot nicer than others, without having to add extras just for the water to be right. Even if I had the opportunity to collect natural sea water, I'd still keep some artificial salt stored for an emergency water change. I guess it boils down to what you feel most comfortable with and what you observe from your fish and corals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
