Buying water from LFS

GoLowDrew · 02/02/2006, 11:48 AM

I'm thinking of buying salt water from LFS. They sell it at $1 per gal.

Questions:

1. Can I assume that it's all ok standards. Right levels and none of the bad stuff. So I don't have to test it.

2. I was thinking of using a brand new 3 gal plastic gas container, like the red ones people use in road emergency. It will be easy for me to carry to and from LFS. Are they ok? How would I need to clean them (besides soap and water) to get them ready for tank use?

Paintbug · 02/02/2006, 12:05 PM

1. NEVER ASSUME ANYTHING!!

its a good idea to check your water. atleast once in a while. i have herd horror stories from people buying premade SW from the LFS. best advice here is make your own!

2. head down to the local wal-mart. look in their camping section. they have 5-7gal water jugs(even smaller) that are $7-$8 each. these are known not to leech chemicals into the water. most gas containers will. they dont have to use a food grade plastic for them.

T-6 Driver · 02/02/2006, 12:07 PM

If your LFS sells only fish you can probably trust the water, but if the salt water fish are crammed in between the hamsters and the goldfish you may want to independently verify the water quality. In either case you wouldn't be wrong to test the water the first few times you buy it.

You should be fine just rinsing out the water container with RO water a few times.

You don't mention what you'll be using for top off water--using tap water may cause problems down the road. If your LFS sells both RO water and salt water (assuming the quality is good) you should get 2-3 containers, fill one with salt water and the others with RO top off water. The RO water will likely cost 10-25 cents a gallon.

keepsmesane · 02/02/2006, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GoLowDrew
I'm thinking of buying salt water from LFS. They sell it at $1 per gal.

Questions:

1. Can I assume that it's all ok standards. Right levels and none of the bad stuff. So I don't have to test it.

2. I was thinking of using a brand new 3 gal plastic gas container, like the red ones people use in road emergency. It will be easy for me to carry to and from LFS. Are they ok? How would I need to clean them (besides soap and water) to get them ready for tank use?

Never use soap!

Amphiprion · 02/02/2006, 12:13 PM

I agree, never assume anything. At the LFS I work at, I make sure to check the total dissolved solids (of the freshwater ro) and the salinity on the other. If TDS is above ~5, then we know we have a problem and stop the water and fix it. Not only that, we write the results down on a nice little sign so customers can keep track of the water as well.

Paintbug · 02/02/2006, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Amphiprion
I agree, never assume anything. At the LFS I work at, I make sure to check the total dissolved solids (of the freshwater ro) and the salinity on the other. If TDS is above ~5, then we know we have a problem and stop the water and fix it. Not only that, we write the results down on a nice little sign so customers can keep track of the water as well.

sounds like you guys have a pretty good store! most employees at the larger LFS here dont even know what TDS is LOL.

Amphiprion · 02/02/2006, 01:08 PM

Well, I have talked my boss into a lot of new things/improvements, LOL.

02/02/2006, 11:48 AM	#1
GoLowDrew No Title Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 390	Buying water from LFS I'm thinking of buying salt water from LFS. They sell it at $1 per gal. Questions: 1. Can I assume that it's all ok standards. Right levels and none of the bad stuff. So I don't have to test it. 2. I was thinking of using a brand new 3 gal plastic gas container, like the red ones people use in road emergency. It will be easy for me to carry to and from LFS. Are they ok? How would I need to clean them (besides soap and water) to get them ready for tank use? __________________ Thanks for answering my questions. Current Tank Info: 29G with 30lbs Live Rock, powerhead, one Clown fish.

02/02/2006, 12:05 PM	#2
Paintbug Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Stoneville, NC Posts: 6,169	1. NEVER ASSUME ANYTHING!! its a good idea to check your water. atleast once in a while. i have herd horror stories from people buying premade SW from the LFS. best advice here is make your own! 2. head down to the local wal-mart. look in their camping section. they have 5-7gal water jugs(even smaller) that are $7-$8 each. these are known not to leech chemicals into the water. most gas containers will. they dont have to use a food grade plastic for them. __________________ Never ask a girl over to see your crabs!! <-Tony-> Current Tank Info: NONE currently

02/02/2006, 12:13 PM	#5
Amphiprion Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 6,611	I agree, never assume anything. At the LFS I work at, I make sure to check the total dissolved solids (of the freshwater ro) and the salinity on the other. If TDS is above ~5, then we know we have a problem and stop the water and fix it. Not only that, we write the results down on a nice little sign so customers can keep track of the water as well. __________________ You've done it now, haven't you? Current Tank Info: 40g breeder patch reef w/ seagrass; 2-250w XM 10K; Vortech MP40wES & MP10wES; BM Curve 7 skimmer; carbon & occasional GFO

02/02/2006, 01:08 PM	#7
Amphiprion Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 6,611	Well, I have talked my boss into a lot of new things/improvements, LOL. __________________ You've done it now, haven't you? Current Tank Info: 40g breeder patch reef w/ seagrass; 2-250w XM 10K; Vortech MP40wES & MP10wES; BM Curve 7 skimmer; carbon & occasional GFO

02/02/2006, 12:07 PM	#3
T-6 Driver Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 81	If your LFS sells only fish you can probably trust the water, but if the salt water fish are crammed in between the hamsters and the goldfish you may want to independently verify the water quality. In either case you wouldn't be wrong to test the water the first few times you buy it. You should be fine just rinsing out the water container with RO water a few times. You don't mention what you'll be using for top off water--using tap water may cause problems down the road. If your LFS sells both RO water and salt water (assuming the quality is good) you should get 2-3 containers, fill one with salt water and the others with RO top off water. The RO water will likely cost 10-25 cents a gallon.