Use freshwater tank water for marine tank?

B

brendanpot

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I was at the LFS and was told that I can skim water from my freshwater planted tank, add salt & ph buffer, and that water can be used in my saltwater tank. Is this a good or bad idea? I currently don't have a RO system, and want to keep from buying water from the LFS, so should this be safe? Thanks.
 
Freshwater doesn't "skim" very well with typical marine type skimmers. Maybe a larger venturi type pond skimmer but even then the amount of DOC's removed would not be worth the trouble. I would not personally use water from a freshwater planted tank for making SW for a reef tank, seems like there would be nasties in that water that do not get along with reff tank inhabitant's. I would suggest waiting until you can get a ro/di unit.

Cheers,
 
What I meant by skim was not taking water from the substrate as if I were cleaning my freshwater tank, but trying to take water near the top. What kind of nasties could be in the freshwater tank, biological, chemical? Thanks for your help.
 
The problem is that you don't know what all is in there and now it's waste water, throw it out not into your reef tank. Serious algae issues could be the least of your issues if you tried this imo but it's your choice in the end. [smilie=smile.gif]

Cheers,
 
Now that I reread it, I worded my last response poorly, and apologize. I understand, it's not just Nitrates, Nitrites, ........... that I need to worry about. Guess I need to invest in a RO system, and buy LFS water in the meantime. Thanks again!
 
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