Thanks for tuning in and welcome to the first installment of MarineDepot.com's new Q&A video series.  We'd like to thank everyone for all the great questions that were submitted to us on Facebook and Twitter. Keep 'em coming!

Our question today comes from Chris of Plant City, Florida. Chris asks: "Is it worth making my own saltwater and would I save money doing it?"

Well, Chris... that is a great question and it's something we get asked all the time. The answer is YES!  Mixing your own saltwater is definitely worthwhile for a number of reasons.

Saving money is probably going to be your biggest motivation. You will no longer need to travel to and from your local fish store, saving money on gas plus the cost of the water itself.

Saving time and energy is another huge benefit. You won't have to lug around heavy containers of water, especially if you decide to invest in an RO/DI system.  Having an RO/DI system in your home allows you to quickly produce pure freshwater for mixing salt and topping off water lost from evaporation.

Mixing your own saltwater also gives you peace of mind. You'll be confident the water you're adding to your aquarium is pure and free of undesirable elements that may contribute to nuisance algae growth. Plus you'll be prepared to perform emergency water changes if/when the unexpected should occur.