Salt MIX vs Sea Water

[tango]

OK, here we go, what do you use salt mixes or sea water (nutri sea water etc.)and why?

[Reefland]

Instant Ocean - Because I always have.

[tango]

What do you see as the pros and/or cons of using the mix?

[Reefland]

It is simply the salt that I have always used and never changed.

[marxsman]

I use Oceanic because I always have and it is much more cost effective than trying to buy real sea water.

[tango]

Scott, I was interested in your thoughts on the pro/con on mix vs sea water, sorry if I wasn't clear. I myself have always used sea water and have had good results, however I would like to learn a little bit about the mixes, is it cost effective what can some of the pitfalls be?
thanks

[tango]

Hi John,
In the back of my mind I'm thinking of going to a mix but want to learn more about it, What equipment do you need. How, if you factored everything in does it cost to mix up say 30 gal. and how much time is involved from start to finish?

[BubbaWPB]

I use natural sea water - it is readily and inexpensively available this close to the ocean. The LFS has the water brought in from off shore (allegedly) and is mechanically filtered and UV sterilized. It costs me 50 cents a gallon. Salt mix can be a little cheaper if you buy it by the rail car, but by the time you add the cost of RO/DI, the PITA factor of mixing it, aerating it, etc., I just take my jugs to the LFS for routine water changes.

I found the nutri sea... that stuff is darn EXPENSIVE! I'd never pay that much, natural or not. Most salt mix is just fine. There really are only theoretical differences... they say natural sea water is the best... but who knows how much sewage, insecticides, crude oil, mercury, etc. is in the natural stuff? I really use the NSW for the price/ease. The truth is many people successfully run tanks on salt mixes or with sea water, so they both work.

I use salt mix when I do major changes ( > 20 gallons) because I don't want to lug all the water. I use Instant Ocean when I use mix.

[BubbaWPB]

I just found this:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...ture/index.php It's more recent than the other ones I have seen.