Low Magnesium

[bondolo]

I've curious about what problems there would be with using collected sea water for reef tanks. We do live right next to the planet's largest ocean after all. Monterey Bay Aquarium uses directly pumped in seawater on all their tanks and they seem to be succeeding.

Provided that the sea water is thoroughly UV sterilized before introduction to a tank, what are the problems? Is quality control the only issue?

 

[Mr. Ugly]

Collecting too close to shore can get you water mixed with a lot of crappy runoff and/or sewer discharge.