NOAA La Jolla Laboratory
8901 La Jolla Shores Dr. 92037
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NOAA La Jolla Laboratory
8901 La Jolla Shores Dr. 92037
I posted this a while back, but now that it's a sticky, we won't get the 2 week cycle on scripps water:
Filtration
Doug of ucsd's physical plant services (the people you talk to for large volumes of water) told me a few things about the filtration.
First off: The intake of the system is abouy 4' from the bottom at the end of the peir. From these: Topozone, SIO, and the navy, we're in 20-25 feet of water. This isn't the upwelling from the scripps/la jolla canyons we thought it was.
As for the filtration: there is no UV. The intake has a large screen on it to keep animals out, and from there it goes to a settling tank. These tanks are next to the large sand filters you've all seen. There is a picnic table on top of them. There are two and they alternate between them every two weeks. When they switch over, the one that was previously used is drained, dried and cleaned. From there, it goes to the sand filters we all know and love. Following that it's pumped up the hill to a holding tank, where birch takes is from, and is gravity fed to us as well. The system is apparenlty cycled, so the water in the holding tanks is seldom older than an hour.
He said that "we" (and I assumed that to mean the lobster guys and 3000g trucks as well) use 80,000 gallons per month. Nice that it's free, isn't it?
Does Birch use/test/filter the water?
I talked to a girl named Angie doing maintance on the tanks, and got a chance to go past the "personel only, no entrance" door.
After a few minutes, I got the following information:
Birch aquarium tests their aquariums weekly, but only their water. They do not test the water coming into the system. She said that the only thing that really hurts them is the red tide and other seasonal things like that.
They have an open system where the ocean water form the holding tanks that feeds our hose feeds the large tank and the cold water tanks. The warm water tanks are fed by a second series of holding tanks where they warm the water. The water they dump isn't treated, and it's just poured down the sewer. They have three protein skimmers, one on the sps and other coral tank, one on the cuttlefish tank, and one on the tank between them.
They have a third area with sea horses, and that's a closed system using kent salt.
So.. that's the end of that. In about two years [note: first posted 11/04] time the warm water setups will be changed to a closed system, at which point they'll put sumps on the tanks.
As with anything, caveat emptor applies.
Chemical Condition of Water
For current conditions: http://surfrider.org/sandiego/b***_sd.asp Thanks for the deadlink fix, MrBill.
Recent Additions: http://www.earth911.org/waterquality....asp?cluster=1 Thanks Poacher!
Also see: http://sdcoos.ucsd.edu/data/aqua_qual/index.cfm Just note the test dates. Thanks crstjohn!
Using Hagen, one month since last rain:
pH=8.3
Ammonia=0
Nitrite=0
Nitrate=0
Salinity: 35ppt
From pk-sd's post:
Scripps Water Alkalinity 3.0 meq/L (3.2 – 4.5 Required)
(seachem) ~8.4 dKH = 3 meq/L
(Salifert) 2.6 meq/L=7.3 dKH
Scripps Water Calcium 350 ppM (400 – 450 ppm Required)
(Salifert)
To fix with B-Ionic
Component #1 - Carbonate Alkalinity: 2800 meq/liter (7840 dKH). 1 ml per gallon of aquarium water will raise alkalinity by 0.74 meq/liter (2.07 dKH).
To raise it to 3.75 : Use 5ml per bucket of Scripps water.
Component #2 - Calcium Concentration: 54,000 ppm calcium ion. 1 ml per gallon of aquarium water will raise calcium concentration by 16ppm ).
To raise it to 400: (3ml/gallon (48ppm) * 5) = 15ml per bucket of Scripps water.
LVReefer's Contribution:
MAG: 1150:eek:
Pk's confirmation and solution:
My tests are showing 1200 (same thing).
Two teaspoons of Seachem's Magnesium to a 5 gallon bucket will bring the magnesium level to 1250 ppm.
How to transport the liquid gold.
Advantages & Disadvantages
Sparklett's Jug
Plus: Cheap, neck keeps water from splashing outHome Depot Buckets
Minus: Hard to carry more than one, caps prone to falling off, and they "glug" like bottles of motor oil, hard to clean,
<pk-sd:> if water is stored in a lit place, algae may grow.
Plus: Easy to carry, easy to clean, can put a powerhead and heater in to oxygenate and bring up to temp before use, no need for secondary container, BRIGHT ORANGE! <pk-sd:> they also come in white, if you prefer. Stakable, non-translucence inhibits algae growth.Wal-Mart AquaTainer
Minus: Need rubber mallet to close, or they'll spill a bit.
Plus: Best container I've ever used, $7, smooth handle, large opening, spigot, air vent, stable.PM Chemical Jugs
Minus: .... I don't know yet, jason?
Plus: Large volume, sealed top, pretty cheap: 15g for $14, 30g for $23 <thanks limbo>.Brute Rubbermaid Trashcan
Minus: Need hose and optional pump to transfer from one drum to another.
Plus: Same as above, minus sealed top. $40 per can for 2 cans at Lowes <bigair>.
Minus: Same as above, plus no sealed top.
Anything else to address?
Couple of things I would like to add for Home Depot containers is that they also come in white color, if orange is too bright for your taste. Second, they are stackable, so on a small area, like a two bucket footprint, you can store 6 buckets, perfects for closets and outdoor storage units.
Minus: Its a good idea to take a rubber mallet with you to properly seal the buckets on your way home (especially the small hill leaving Scripps pier). Otherwise you might have some spillage in the car.
One thing I do not like about Sparklett's jugs is that they are clear. Unless they are stored in complete darkness, they will encourage algae growth.
Brute Rubbermaid Trashcan
Plus: Same as above, minus sealed top. Anyone want to say how much they paid?
Minus: Same as above, plus no sealed top.
I paid almost $40 per can for 2 cans at Lowes.
water asfe to get?
I would say yes. Plus its going to start raining again soon. Then you will have to wait another week.Quote:
Originally Posted by ricestudios
It was raining off and on yesterday and this morning. Nothing major, just light showers/sprinkles.
@rashguard.org
Scripps Beach
in San Diego County, CA
Water Quality Warning!
Due to likely polluted runoff in the surf zone.
(last updated 3/08/2006 2:00 PM)
Got some yesterday, no biggy. If you're super paranoid, then don't get it. All of my stuff is still living.
wait time after the rain to get water?
Some say no wait, others say wait a week or so. I personaly give it atleast 3 days.
I know I have shot my mouth off in the past about doing Scripps water changes rain or shine and I actually do. I just went down and got water today in fact. However, while there today, I saw something I never had before. It looked to be near high tide, so that may have something to do with it, but I went over to the intake where the grate is, and there was about 8" of brown foam on top of the water coming into the sand filters.
Has anyone else seen this? I also noticed that the red slime is growing faster than usual in my 20L. Strange thing is that there is no sign of slime in my 10.
So I guess the bottom line for me is that I need to weigh the costs of changing with rainy Scripps water, or puting off the water change for a few more days.
I don't think there is really a danger of a full-on tank crash, but there does seem to be more nutrients in the water after a rainy week.
Just my $.02,
J--
I am not getting the red slime, but a good dusting of red cyano right now. It's both on the glass and in the sand. Never seen the intake foaming. Have seem some seaweed and ocotpus parts in there though.
I've been noticing red slime in a friend's tank recently as well, but I thought we got water before and well after the rains.
On another note, one of those 3000g trucks was there the other day filling up, and they had turned the garden hose on full bore and had the hose in the drain.
I picked it up and a few minutes later the guy left without saying anything. ***?
So, I called the 858 534 number and asked if the tankers were allowed to fill up there. The guy was very interested to hear that there was a tanker, asked the company name, and the license plate. Seems they're serious about the high volume pressure hose being turned off.
If you do see a truck down there, let them know as quickly as possible; it'll be because of those guys that the water gets turned off.
I see tankers there a lot. Rain or shine. They supply lfs's, fry's San Marcos, LA Library and many other places. I think they still allow it because I know at least four companies that I see regularly. I've seen the foam build up a lot lately since the first rain. Been using it anyway without any problems. In tanks that have a little red slime or cyano the growth is steady- but many tanks with none are getting none. It's scary to use this water when surfing in it makes me sooo sick, however freshwater floats so we get the worst of it stuck in our head!
IIRC, certain large volume trucks are allowed to use the high pressure line with consent from Scripps. But most tankers that fill up are doing so illegally from my understanding, so always call and let them know about it. The last thing any of us wants is the filter to be shut off from public use becuase of a few asshats that won't play by the rules. It costs alot of money moving that much water, and it's free- so they have to limit the supply somehow.Quote:
Originally Posted by purplerock
Hey Maus do you know if the water conditions are safe to pick water today ?? LMK thanks...
What's the number to call? Lucubrator posted 858 534 as the number but at only 6 digits, it must be incomplete. I've seen tankers there two of the five times I've been there to date.
Another question... Since I'm doing a cool water tank with local fishes only, do I still need to add in the Calcium and Carbonate to the Scripps water?
I was at Petco tonight looking for the chemicals. Carbonate in the form of RedSea Buff at 415 ML was 14.99 and Kent Marine Liquid Calcium at 236 ML was 7.99.
Yes or no?
-Paul
The number is posted on the sign above the spigot. It's area code 858, and ucsd has prefix 534, I don't remember ther est of the number.
Given that you're using local animals, and that you're taking their water as a supply, I doubt if you'd need to add anything. The rest of us are using SD water to replicate south pacific waters. If you're not keeping anything that builds a skeleton (I'm not really familiar with local corals), then I doubt if you need to add anything.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul
Personally, I'd stay away from Petco and the like for salt water chemicals. They tend to be pricey, and of a lower caliber. The Kent stuff is good stuff, but not sure about the RedSea. The best addative Ca/Buff out there (or among the best) is probalby the B-ionic sytem. The system I've been using is a little bit of Kalkwasser dripped with the addition of Kent's Liquid Reactor. I've been very very pleased with the results thus far (once I got my Magnesium levels up).
But as lucubrator said, local animals are using local water, so I don't think you'll need to worry about calcium much since there are no calcium based animals aside from snails, which I'm sure can utilize the 350 ppm or so of Ca in the local water (or whatever the amount it, I forget).
Water is not looking to hot right now.Quote:
Originally Posted by SDFISHMAN
And just for everyone's future information- the following website is helpful for checking the condition of our coastal waters.
Anyone picked-up Scripps water since the rain this weekend? I need some water for a new setup.
Well tonight I am making two trips. Need about 100 gallons. I hope water is OK.
Access to Scripps water will be closed on Sunday morning 4/23 due to the La Jolla Half Marathon.
i have a reef tank and want to use scripps water. what do i need to add to the water to make it safe for my tank. does it really need to sit?
You don't need to add anything. You can let it sit, but people do use it right away, myself included. Just make sure you warm it up first.
Since scripps came up, one of my customers was out at on the water last weekend, and said the red tide was just off dana, and out at the cornados.
how cold is it. whenever i add water its usually room temp... i can let it sit in the sun forawhile, is scripps water better then actually mixxing salt. imsure its easyier but you know... for the tank
Your Scripps water should be the same temperature as your tank water. Use a heater to warm the water. Water should not be exposed to sunlight for too long, it will encourage unwanted algae growth.Quote:
Originally Posted by Slickgib
Is Scripps better than mixing salt? Its a debate that never ends. Personal preference. I like it because its easier and it the real thing (not synthetic). Majority of the people on this board use Scripps water (except for the ones that live in Temecula:D)
That water is around 60 or so when it is picked up. In a way it is better, as we can not recreate mother nature with synthetic salts and additives. On the other hand, it does have it's down side as well. You do run the chance of putting something undesireable in the tank, but that has not happened to me as of yet. I have been useing scripps exclusively for over a year with no probs other than what I have created.Quote:
Originally Posted by Slickgib
They way I see it is, If it is good enough to keep all those tanks at Birch alive and well, it is good enough for my tanks. They have a far more delicate and valuable creatures than any of us have, and they live in that water. So....
The one thing to keep in mind, is that scripps salinity sits around 1.026/.027, so you will probably want to add some DI to thin it out.
Speaking of all those tanks at scripps...
I was there yesterday, and they now have one of those scorpionfish that you can look through the eye. Their leafy dragons are looking good, and I think one of the male seahorses (not the dragons) is carrying babies.
Some of their tanks aren't looking so hot though. For example, their mushroom tank has flatworms the size of dimes, and the tank next to it is full of majano anemonies.
Also, there's no real need to dilute the water. They don't dilute it in their tropical coral tank, and they have pocillopora growing on their pipes that doesn't look like it was glued there.
This source is a pleasant surprise. I will likely be getting a smaller tank so it won't be as big of a deal to me, but still. Yet another reason to renew my Aquarium membership ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by bigair
So to summarize, this is what people are doing: Not much, it's good as is. Maybe thin it out a little bit. Maybe add a little b-ionic for calcium suppliment depending on what you are keeping. Agree?
How closely does pH have to match for a salt water change? In all my freshwater experience, with my 10% weekly changes.I never worried about matching parameters, and never had any problems. Trying to do some thinking & research before diving in to reefing, thanks.
Here is some more detailed info on Scripps water from Fisheries, the building just north of Scripps. They have experimental aquariums that also use Scripps water.
http://swfsc.nmfs.noaa.gov/frd/Other...m/facility.htm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SanDiegoIllini
Pretty much, but the calcium is added to the tank after testing the level. I have not noticed a pH change when doing a water change. I do add iodine and strontium now and then. Those are supposed to help the softies and anenomes.
what are the chances of introducing parasites/diseases in our system when using this water?
I guess no one has noticed any diseases entering their tanks, at least on this board. The water goes through a fine sand filter, so it's unlikely that anything big would get through.
On a more humous note, a guy wearing an AQUATIC WAREHOUSE employee shirt collected ~500g of water yesterday afternoon. Don't go buying water from AW when you can get it for free.
I was just at scripps today, and the guy in front of me put the end of the hose down the drain when he was done.:eek: Did not thrill me at all, so needless to say I washed the end of the hose as best I could.
I don't think Aquatic Warehouse sells saltwater, just DI. An employee told me a long time ago that they use Scripps water for all of their holding and display tanks, but they don't sell it.Quote:
Originally Posted by lucubrator
Yes they do. Few guys at my work buy it from them. :eek: Or they did last time I talked to them.Quote:
Originally Posted by GSRGRL00
hey im going to be a ucsd student next year and i was curious if anyone usidn the scripps water could show some picture of their tanks so that i could see what people are having sucess with.
Hey i just had a question about the water. Last Night i went to go pick up some water and i put it in my tank. Today i see a whole bunch of very very tiny things swimming around in my tank. They are very small can hardly see them unless you look good. Anyone know what this is?