LFS Selling boxed water???

[SpiderCrab2]

Has anyone seen or used the LFS boxed saltwater? It says all the parameters are already complete, just add and heat. I think it was by instant ocean.... at petco...

[scrmbld33]

ive seen it but never used it, usually its way more expensive than mixing your own, over time your own RO/DI and saltmix will save you money, other than that it would be fine to use

[usmc121581]

When I upgraded my sum from 30 to 65 gal. I used about 18 gallons of it. I also got it at cost and also discounted. I really didnt notice anything different.

[weaselslucks]

i have seen the petco version but an wary of it since it said something about no elements added
and that seems silly

[uncleant]

i used it before i got my ro/di unit... petco no longer sells the instant ocean brand now tho only the petco brand water but its really the same thing

[papagimp]

Originally posted by weaselslucks
i have seen the petco version but an wary of it since it said something about no elements added
and that seems silly

All the boxed water i've seen for sale has been natural sea water, so no additional elements or additives needed. it'll have natural sea water levels of these things, or at least it should.

[seapug]

Originally posted by papagimp
All the boxed water i've seen for sale has been natural sea water, so no additional elements or additives needed. it'll have natural sea water levels of these things, or at least it should.

+1 on this. Also, the boxed NSW has a lot of other trace elements that are lacking or completely absent from mixes.

I rencently used about 80 gallons of the Petco brand NSW for some water changes on my tanks when I was in a bind. I can vouch for it's quality. In fact, it's probably better than what I make myself, but it's too $$$.

I think all the brands you are seeing in the stores are simply re-packaged Catalina Water widely available in So Cal. I used that stuff for the first 2 years I was in the hobby and it's great. My guess is they are simply boxing it and sell it wholesale to retailers who can apply their own branding. The Aquatic Gardens brand boxed NSW says it comes from the Catalina Water Company right on the box.

Also, someone else on this site (can't remember the username, sorry) recently sent some of the Petco NSW to a testing company and it passed with flying colors. Alkalinity was a bit high, but nothing that would be a problem with a partial water change.

So have no fear, it's perfectly safe and likely superior to what you could make yourself. If I could afford to use boxed NSW exclusively I would.

[weaselslucks]

oh cool thats good to know then if i every really need it. may be it was the wording they used that freaked me out

[kydsexy]

just throwing this in.


it's perfect. when my lfs has it on sale for $5 for 5 gallons, i buy about $100 worth. What could be better than "Just Add Heat"

[usmc121581]

Were every you are getting that is cheap are you sure its the same as he was talking about. Ive seen 2 gallons going for about $12

[SpiderCrab2]

Nope good price it was on sale and with petco discount it was cheaper than I thought. (NSW 5 gallon box)