scripps water for SPS

[bradreef]

Does anyone use scripps water for an SPS tank? i am thinking about it but on the fence.
The pro's
- Mag will not go down like some salt mixes.
-Easy and free.
-ca and alk are decent range. I have two part to bump that up.


con's
- possible phosphates( i have read mixed things regarding this
- could pollute tank if get a bad batch.


I would like to hear experiences

[specvjeff]

I don't recommend it. Phosphates are almost always high and alk and calcium are pretty low. I'd mix and go with a good quality salt like Tropic Marin or Red Sea Pro. Be sure to use RODI water so you cut out all the bad stuff!

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[bradreef]

Ca and alk are on the lower end of the acceptable range but I could and my two part directly into my water change water.

The phosphates worry me though.

[specvjeff]

How big is the tank?

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[bradreef]

I have about 80 gallons of water. I would probably only change 5 gallons every week or two. new tank and it is fine now but am looking to start adding coral in the upcoming months.

original plan was to start with scripps and then switch to ro and mix for water changes.

[luv4qt1004]

if you want to use scripps i would def. dose 2 part to bring alk and cal up. i even dosed mag as well to bring it up as well.

[wrestle1952]

I don't understand why people blast on Scripps water. It is the same chemical make up as that of coral reefs with the exception of lower temperature which can be corrected with a heater. If coral reefs can maintaing the biosphere of coral reefs it stands to reason that natural seawater is an excellent choice for the home reef aquarium. Yes, you can build up calcium, magnesium, and dkh with supplemenmts. When you look at all the GREAT Reef aquarium museums......here it is Scripps, but Steinhart, Honolulu, Washington D.C the ALL use natural seawater. I don't get it with the exception that LFS that push certain products such as the salt they carry will say their product is superior. Bottom line it is not true. Mother nature is a superior product.

[Roger]

I have always used scripps from day one, but have never had an sps dominated tank. My old 50g mixed reef I had maybe 5 sps colonies that were easy to maintain. I did dose 2 part bionic every other day along with water changes and everything was all good.

[naso tang]

I use scripps in my 75G sps tank. Dose 2 part, add mag, never tested for phosphate but I skim heavy as I can and run a fuge too, and knock on wood, it's been ok for my growth and color...

[specvjeff]

It does not have the same chemical make up as a reef. The water is far more nutrient rich and there is nothing to help support higher calcium levels that are found on reefs. The substrate here is not made of crushed up coral.

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[specvjeff]

The aquariums and institutes that use raw seawater go through extensive filtration prior to use and are on flow through which has advantages that we do not have in our closed systems. I know this because I worked at a hatchery that used raw sea water and I have also spent time behind the scenes at Scripps and other public aquariums.

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[Bogg]

I've been growing sps for years with it
I have a ca rxtr and don't do anything to the water before using it.
To each is own, whatever you choose that fits your needs go for it.
IMO god or mother nature does not have Nsw all wrong
I've never got any reading other than 0.00 po4 with a Hanna
None of your corals came from Artifical salt water
IMO I'll go natural rather than man made Fake
Ocean salt in a box
http://www.zeovit.com/forums/showthr...+120XL&page=14

http://www.sandiegoreefs.com/forums/...ght=Sps+growth

Ps its all ford vs chevy basically

[bradreef]

its good to know that people are having success with it. It has seemed good when I get it. I could see it causing serrious problems after a rain though.

[50 cube]

A little rain won hurt, just the big windy storms that really churn up the ocean. Been using it for 20+ yrs and never an issue directly attributed to the water.

[david1]

Go mix all the way red sea pro my 1 choose