Water Cycling

[suvuong7]

Is it a better idea to cycle water with ocean water instead of the good salt mix? I would think cycling with ocean water would be best and save the good salt when I need to do water changes once the tank is cycle.....what would you guys advise? I just think it's a waste cycling a tank with the good salt mix since there's no live stock in there yet good salt mix would be a waste right?

 

[lowbudget]

salt mix water better less impurities and your tank biological filter use to the water you are using.

 

[BeanMachine]

Yeah I would also say use a good salt and add some kind of cycle starter (bacteria in a bottle).

 

[SchnitzelReef]

Ocean water is dirty. Stick with RO/DI and instant ocean if U wanna save some $$

 

[suvuong7]

ok....thanks guys....answers my question....upgraded a new tank setup for over a month and haven't gotten time to get it wet.....thinking time to start this weekend....

 

[reefes pieces]

+1 with Bean and Lowbuncakes. Would be much easier to get a tank going that's already ideal in the parameters your going to try to keep up.

 

[Wetdreads]

If you want to save money use water from your water change in your other tank. Ocean water is nasty.

 

[BeanMachine]

I only say that and I've started tanks with NSW before and didn't really have a problem doing it that way either but I think if I were to do it again its new synthetic salt water as you'll have to buffer the NSW to reef tank parameters as the alk cal and mag is low and the phosphates and nitrates are probably a bit high. So you would need to buffer anyway which also costs money.

 

[lowbudget]

i started my 90 with ocean water from jim exotic fish in gardena. with the price of gas and time not much money save anyways.

 

[suvuong7]

thanks reef peeps....appreciate all the comments and input.....now to find time to set up the new tank and start the water cycle before my new equipment and tank becomes out dated...hahaha

 

[reefes pieces]

Yeah stop being lazy man! haha SCR needs a new thread with pics to stare at!

 

[thompsonz1990]

Salt mix, it would take a lot of money and time to come up with a filter good enough to handle ocean water.