Saltwater

[BahamaBaker]

I am planning on collecting water from the ocean for my tank, but first some questions. I don't have my skimmer yet and if i start to fill the tank up before I get the skimmer will there be a lot of organic dying matter that will settle in the tank? Or should I make my own saltwater to begin with and then supplement with ocean water during water changes, once the tank is going and cycled and whatnot.

[Rob]

you should be fine with the sea water, any organic die off, will only aid in the starting of your cycle, and in the future, most of those organics, such as algae's and zooplankton, will server as a food source for invertebrates..