Living water or homemade preparation

Introduction

Anyone who owns a marine aquarium faces the decision: use ready-made “living water” or prepare the water themselves. Both solutions have their advantages and disadvantages, which are worth considering when deciding on the best solution for your aquarium.

Living Water

Comes directly from the ocean and is valued for its authenticity and richness in natural components, such as microorganisms, which can beneficially affect the aquarium ecosystem. It contains a complete set of minerals and trace elements essential for the health of all organisms living in the aquarium, including corals. Users of such water often notice better condition and greater resistance of organisms to diseases. However, natural seawater requires careful filtering and monitoring to ensure it does not contain pollutants that could harm living organisms in the aquarium.

Advantages

• • Immediate readiness for use;
  • Natural microorganisms supporting biological balance;
  • Time savings associated with no need for preparation.

Disadvantages

• • Higher cost, especially in larger quantities;
  • Difficulty in availability in some regions;
  • Risk of introducing unwanted pathogens.

Own preparation of seawater

 Preparing your own seawater gives greater control over its composition and is cost-effective, especially for large aquariums. However, this process requires proper knowledge and precision.

Water Preparation

• Filter water using an RO/DI system to remove contaminants.
  An RO/DI (reverse osmosis/deionization) system is used to remove up to 99% of contaminants from tap water, making it ideal for marine aquarium applications. The system works by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane under pressure, allowing the removal of contaminants such as phosphates, nitrates, heavy metals, and other substances harmful to organisms living in the aquarium.
• Add high-quality ready-made marine salt, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
  Ready-made marine salt is a key product for aquarists, allowing for quick preparation of seawater at home. Many manufacturers offer these salts, providing various formulas that can be tailored to the specific needs of different types of marine aquariums. Choosing the right salt depending on the requirements of a particular aquarium, considering the biological load and the type of organisms being cultivated, is crucial for maintaining proper conditions for our charges.
• Thorough mixing and testing of the water to achieve the appropriate chemical parameters.
  Preparing the right water for a marine aquarium requires precision and attention to detail. The first step is to add the right amount of marine salt to the RO/DI water. It is crucial to follow the manufacturer’s salt recommendations to ensure the correct concentration of the brine.
  After adding salt, the water should be vigorously mixed for about 24 hours. This mixing time is necessary for the salt to dissolve completely and for the water parameters to stabilize. Circulation pumps are usually used for this process.
  It is recommended to ensure that the temperature of the newly prepared water is appropriate and will not cause thermal shock to the tank inhabitants before adding it to the aquarium. The water should have a temperature similar to that in the aquarium.
  The next crucial step is to check the salt concentration in the prepared water using a refractometer or salinity meter. The ideal salt concentration for most marine aquariums should range from 1.025 to 1.027 SG.
  If the salt level is too high or too low, the amount of water added or removed should be adjusted accordingly to achieve the desired concentration.
  Currently, continuous salinity monitoring devices such as Reef Factory – Salinity Guardian are used in marine tanks.

Advantages

• • Control over the chemical composition of the water;
  • Lower costs in the long run;
  • No risk of introducing unwanted microorganisms.

Disadvantages

• • Time-consuming preparation process;
  • Need for tests and adjustments of parameters.

Summary 

The decision between choosing “living water” or preparing seawater yourself should be dictated by the individual needs of the aquarium, available budget, and logistical capabilities. In both cases, monitoring and maintaining stable water conditions are crucial for the health and well-being of marine aquarium inhabitants.

Let this article serve as a guide in making an informed choice that best suits the needs of your marine ecosystem.