Where do I buy water for a sw tank?

[SteelersFan]

I have had planted freshwater tanks for years and now I want a real challenge. In freshwater, all you need to do is dechlorinate tap and put it in the tank. My understanding is that you need to use an r/o system for sw tanks. I decided to go for a 3g picotope tank for a big challenge and do not think it would be cost effective to buy an r/o system. Where do you buy r/o water or do they sell saltwater by the gallon??

 

[carey]

Most fish stores will sell ro/di water as well as saltwater. Usually about 50 cents a gallon for the regular water and maybe a buck a gallon for the salted water.

 

[TheTodd]

My LFS sells for $1.00 and $1.50.

I have been using RO water for my FOWLR. I know that many people will argue that RODI is the only thing to use, but IMO, for FOWLR, the difference between close to zero TDS and .002-.004ppm is not that critical. I got my RO from a Glacier Water machine outside a gas station for 25 cents per gallon. I inherited a 2stage RO system with the 240g I am setting up, but have not tried that out.

 

[Phranque]

Personally, I'd recommend buying RODI and mixing your own SW. Unfortunately, in my experience, many of the LFS's mix their SW at a lower salinity than most of like to use.... it's a way to stretch the amount of salt they use for a greater profit per gallon. Mixing your own is very easy in small quantities.... all you need is a small, cheapo power head and maybe a little 50w heater for a 5gal bucket. This allows you to use the salt you want, and mix it to the salinity you want to use.......

I know you want a challenge, but what is your end-goal with a 3g pico? With that small of a tank, you are pretty much limiting yourself to maybe a small invert or two and a couple of corals..... no fish. To my knowledge, there are no marine fish that are compatible with a 3g tank. Even the tiniest of commonly available marine fish..... something like a red-banded goby, require a minimum of a 10g tank. Personally, I'd go with something like a 20 long as your first tank..... plenty challenging enough, but opens up a much wider variety of livestock to choose from.

 

[Sillyfishies]

Look around, you might be lucky like me and haves company that gives free RO water.

 

[Niccobacci11]

mixing your own water is probably best in the long run.
just make sure you get quality salt crystals.