ASW vs. NSW

[GTR]

Given a choice would you use NSW over ASW?

I'm growing tired of mixing so much water and have the option of having NSW delivered monthly to meet my needs. I already have the 200g container so I don't have to make that investment.
When I sit down and estimate my total cost for 200g of ASW it comes out to about $0.46/g and that's just a little more than the $0.54/g for NSW. I might be able to get that down a little but any savings would be a plus.

I used NSW in the past forever on my display tank and the only reason I changed to ASW was because I tired of hauling the jugs around. Having it delivered removes that problem.

SteveU

[moonpod]

Well you know, it kinda depends on the source water. If you can depend on the source water to be consistant quality NSW, I'd say go for it....but from first hand experience, Catalina water anyways isn't consistent. The thing is our systems are artificial, so stability is probably the number one factor for success and stability is not promoted by water changes with water that is different from water change to water change.

[tonkadawg]

The only fear I would have with having water delivered is if it was contaminated in some way. By mixing water it yourself, you have control over what goes in to the water. I would hate to get a bad batch unknowling - that would be just my luck.

[GTR]

Well I've had not so good batches of salt mix in the past and I guess testing the common things might solve the bad NSW issue.
I've heard Catalina problems before but never really anything solid. I wonder what those problems have really been. I've always written them off to someone looking for someone to blame for a unrelated problem.

SteveU

[Heinz]

i think all NSW user run larg UV before using it, i am not sure tho, does anybody know more about UV use with NSW ?

[GTR]

From the Catalina site...

Catalina Water Company has developed a state-of-the-art filtration system that combines the use of oxygen (O2) converted into ozone (O3) and UV Sterilization. This destroys any bacteria or harmful microorganisms and, when used in conjunction with charcoal and sand, it will remove any heavy metals and toxins. This system eliminates any possibility of contaminants in the water. Our tanks circulate 24 hours a day – 7 days a week. Once the water has passed through our filtration system, we have a highly consistent product that can be used with confidence.



Our saltwater is tested daily to ensure the quality and consistency of our product. We also employ an independent laboratory to conduct periodic analyses of the water and our facility for on-going quality control.

And "Analytical Results" posted on the site
http://www.catalinawater.com/Report.html

I don't though expect them to say on the site that every once in a while there might be something wrong that may wipe out your reef.

SteveU

[moonpod]

Yeah, uh, that prolly wouldn't be real smart.

Mostly s.g. fluctuations and sometimes it ain't so nitrate free.

[tonkadawg]

so catalina is dedicated to saltwater? I have never heard of them before now. It's that every once in a while that scares me. Like you said, it could wipe out your tank. I could be wrong, but a bad batch of salt I wouldn't think could do that. Unless something went horribly wrong - at most you would have lower levels of Ca, MG, etc, while having elivated levels of trates and phosphates...

[tonkadawg]

I just checked out catalina's web page, now they are distributing through deathco - not a bad option, but I would still be scared that something would be off in the water causing problems...

[GTR]

Yeah Barb and I were at Petco getting some bird seed for our feeders and I saw those box-o-salt-water. Looks just like the box-o-wine. It's like $9.00 for 5 gallons in the stores. That's really not an option for sure.

SteveU

[tonkadawg]

yeah I saw that on their site

you have gotten me really thinking Steve - would it be worth it to buy the water - having it delivered, rather than buying the salt and mixing it. I bet there is some sort of minimum to even be able to do that huh?

[SeanCallan]

I have a buddy who runs a 500g reef and uses their water. He tried to convert me, he loves it saves him a ton of time and money. He actually picks it up too.

Never had a problem and he feels his reef is overall happier using it.

I've seen a lot of reefers lately using it but for my location it's not even an option that I know of.

[GTR]

Unless I buy another storage container I can only take maybe 250 per delivery. That makes it cost around $0.50 per gallon. If I double the storage capacity I can get down to $0.37 or so. The cost of those large containers though will drive up the real cost of the water unless I can find another used one. I need to keep some of my storage capacity for RO/DI for top-off.

SteveU

[SeanCallan]

Man GTR, I wish I could help you. Down here in the south they have those storage things everything used & new. :|

[mesocosm]

Greetings All !

Well I've had not so good batches of salt mix in the past and I guess testing the common things might solve the bad NSW issue.
I've heard Catalina problems before but never really anything solid. I wonder what those problems have really been. I've always written them off to someone looking for someone to blame for a unrelated problem.

SteveU

For me, the issues of the ASW vs. NSW question have always been cost vs. convenience, and accessibility.

We utilize, or sell, 1400-1600 gallons of Catalina NSW, on average, per week. We use it exclusively in our 1600 gallon fish system, and in our 800 gallon reef system, as well as our sales floor displays. So, I've had a little experience with this product and the folks who generate it.

I give this company, and their product, a "big thumbs up" ... so do many of the folks on 104th street. I have to be careful where I park so that I don't get "trapped" by the Catalina tanker truck making deliveries.

While Catalina did undergo an ownership change earlier this year, they remain an excellent company, IMO and IME ... good office staff, prompt & courteous drivers, good equipment, and a consistent product.

I've only had two mild issues with the physical aspects of their product: (1) Slight specific gravity variance (... as moonpod so correctly pointed out ...), and (2) Water temperature on arrival (low to mid 60's F).

... I guess testing the common things might solve the bad NSW issue.

I keep hearing stories of "bad" catalina water shipments, but in 8 years I've never experienced any. Yeah, I ALWAYS test the specific gravity, and yeah, it takes around 8 hours for a freshly delivered shipment to heat up to ~78F in our 1000G holding vat ... inline fireplug heater modules are wonderful things ... but I would have the same issues if I was mixing my own.

I've heard Catalina problems before but never really anything solid. I wonder what those problems have really been. I've always written them off to someone looking for someone to blame for a unrelated problem.

I have experienced mild "fluctuations/differences" in the way that different shipments' water chemistry test out ... alkalinity, phosphate, and silicon typically ... but the differences were never large enough for me to consider them to be either significant, or particularly meaningful. The test results have NEVER been in a range that I would describe as "problematic."

This is not to say that collection source, time of year, and proximity in time to a major weather event are not issues of concern when dealing with NSW purchasing. It's just that I've never been able to observe a direct correlation between these factors and my test results regarding Catalina NSW.

I've always written them off to someone looking for someone to blame for a unrelated problem.

Yeah, me too. I hear this stuff irradically throughout the year ... red tide paranoia, bacterial blooms, industrial chemical contamination, and the latest, parasitic isopod infestation. Go figure. I'm always left wondering why I'm not experiencing the same problem(s), given that I'm using the exact same shipment as the people who are claiming that there's a problem ... go figure.

Correlation does NOT imply causation ...

... he loves it saves him a ton of time and money.

NSW can be very convenient and time efficient. But less expensive? Hmmm ... I suppose, depending on how one places a monetary value on their time. The last time we looked at the question, we came up with a ASW cost that was about 35% less than Catalina NSW ... even after factoring in upgraded RODI units, increased storage capacity, etc. . It came down to the availability of physical storage space, labor productivity/cost, and convenience ... NSW won. JMO.

JMO ... HTH