Seawater treatment
The Saltwater Treatment section contains everything you need to prepare and maintain stable and safe water in reef and fish-only tanks: water conditioners (specific use), bacterial activators, marine salt, RO/DI supplements, trace elements, filter media, aragonite substrates, algae removers, medications/protective agents, and unwanted organism control.
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Base water: always use RO/DI at ~0 TDS and mix quality marine salt to achieve correct salinity/SG (e.g., 35‰ / 1.025 at 25 °C). Water conditioners are only needed if tap water is used (emergencies/quick mixes).
Biological stability: Bacterial activators help with cycle initiation and restoration; filter media like carbon and anti-PO₄/NO₃ resins refine the water without replacing the skimmer.
Targeted supplementation: Trace elements and buffers (Ca, Mg, KH, K, Sr, I, Fe) maintain reef consumption; for osmosis water/ATO, dedicated supplements (e.g., specific buffers) can be used when indicated by management.
Substrates: fine/medium grain aragonite sands and live sand support pH and biology; thickness and grain size are chosen based on fauna and flow.
Algae & pest control: reef-safe products, NO₃/PO₄ management, correct light/flow, and, when useful, UV. For Aiptasia/flatworms/bristleworms, you'll find targeted chemical or mechanical solutions.
Safety note: avoid electrolysis devices in a saline environment: in marine setups, only use UV if necessary, and turn it off when dosing bacteria/medications.
Tip: establish a stable routine (RO/DI 0 TDS → salt → bacteria at startup → test Ca/Mg/KH → regular water changes) and keep NO₃/PO₄ under control with carbon/resins and an adequate skimmer; in marine setups, prefer UV over electrolysis.
— Advice from the Hobby Pesca & Acquari Team
