Catalina Water

Shua71 · Jan 14, 2024

Hello, m located in the IE and work and having a baby has become extremely busy. I have really been neglecting the tank and now don't have the time to mix my own water.

I went to Pet World Tropical fish and they sell Catalina water. Does anybody use their water for a reef tank? Was wondering if it would work as I have LPS and softies.

Any other suggestions of where to get water in the IE if you don't think Catalina water is good?

bakbay · Jan 14, 2024

Shua71 said:

I’ll save you some money and the drive — just don’t change the water! What’s wrong with it?

DEWreefing · Jan 15, 2024

Check oceans aquatic in Redlands I believe they run fritz

vmarquez1986 · Jan 15, 2024

Jans tropical in montclair have that catalina water too which is natural sea water just filtered

Shua71 · Jan 15, 2024

vmarquez1986 said:

Have you ever used it in a reef tank or know anybody who has with success?

LesPaulPlayer73 · Jan 15, 2024

There isn’t just one answer that fits. My answer is layered.

Long term success with Catalina water? I would say you could have success with softies. As they are less finicky. SPS and or higher end LPS I wouldn’t trust Catalina.

Long term success going to Pet World? This one’s easy. NO.

Drive a couple minutes further and go to Law Office off Arlington in Riverside.

bakbay · Jan 15, 2024

Super long term success: make RODI and mix salt yourself. I actually don’t trust LFS’ water.

LesPaulPlayer73 · Jan 15, 2024

bakbay said:

This is the best advice for long term success. True long term success. Period.

Jimbo327 · Jan 15, 2024

Unless you don't have a RODI unit, I actually think it is much easier and takes less time to make your own saltwater than lugging 5 gallon containers back and forth to the LFS.

dontavo27 · Jan 15, 2024

Yes agreed with above, making your own water is way easier. Saves gas, driving, carrying, and avoid buying corals you don’t need when making trips to the LFS.

Jimbo327 · Jan 15, 2024

dontavo27 said:

This is the most important point. LOL. Each time I stop by with no intention of buying anything, I find something I like. Last time it was a Red Sea Maxima clam, and other time was a Yellow Coris Wrasse. Or trying out some new fish food. Haha. Very dangerous to the wallet when visiting LFS.

SaltyDaddy · Jan 15, 2024

Honestly save your self the headache and mix your own or buy something else besides Catalina. I’ve used it 2 different occasions with two different tanks and my tanks never did well.

bakbay · Jan 15, 2024

If I ever own a LFS (almost did but glad I didn’t) I would offer free salt water, up to x gallon per customer/per month, so these suckers (ahem, customers) will buy more stuff they don’t want want/need, or they feel guilty! Ha

Jimbo327 · Jan 15, 2024

The saltwater at the LFS is always in the back of the store, so you have to walk past all the goodies.

H&A Aquatics · Jan 16, 2024

Pro tip, One of the worlds largest wholesaler uses catalina water in LAX, and purely Catalina water. They grow everything with it, I would run it if it was feasible for me to get. I use San Diego Scripps water but it is very low on elements but a simple dosing brings it up no problem.

Tangerine Speedo · Jan 16, 2024

I was wondering what you guys were talking about until I looked them up. They make the imaginarium water for petco. I had a little 6g tank I was using that on until I measured the ALK and it was some number like 14 or something crazy like that. Apparently they add some buffers to stabilize the box water or something. I can’t say about the their bulk water because I do not have any experience with that.

laverda · Jan 16, 2024

I have used catalina water in the past as did several people I know with out any issues. I know a lot of LFS use it as well.

bakbay · Jan 17, 2024

H&A Aquatics said:

Curious why is the above a “Pro Tip”? Using Catalina Water is the secret to growing awesome looking corals and us amateur reefers have been doing this all wrong with RODI and mixing our own salt?

H&A Aquatics · Jan 17, 2024

bakbay said:

Not saying anyone is doing it wrong but real water is always better than synthetic. Also cheaper in the bulk side of thigns for some.

joseserrano · Jan 17, 2024

potentially running triton can keep you from having to do water changes. Just adding what is low after a icp test. I would base using the water on what your expectations are. Easy stuff fine, if you are going to compare your stuff to coral vendors online, you’ll lose. Vendors do everything they can to pull out the last few percent of growth, color,…. If you are not making your living with corals, may not be the route to go.

Catalina Water

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