Salinity during water changes

slowlips · 07/27/2009, 09:41 PM

When doing water changes I mix salt and new water in a bucket 24 hrs before the water change.The salinity level in new water is too high before adding to the tank.Is it ok or the salinity level of the new water should match with salinity of then tank

KarlBob · 07/27/2009, 09:45 PM

The salinity of the new water should definitely match the salinity in the tank. If it's too high after 24 hours, you can add small amounts of RO/DI, wait a few minutes, and test again until the salinity drops to the right level. If it's consistently way too high, you might be able to reduce the amount of salt you add when you're mixing it. From what I understand, though, it's a much quicker process to dilute too-salty water than to add more salt to water that's too low in salinity.

Supposedly, it's best if the temperature of the new water also matches the temperature in your tank. If your house is usually 70F, and your tank is 80F, adding "chilly" water could stress the fishes.

Aquarist007 · 07/27/2009, 09:45 PM

the salinity of the change water should match the display tank salinity. You might find it alot easier to match the salinity if you get a big plastic garbage can and mix about 30 gal at a time.
Are you using a refractometer?

slowlips · 07/27/2009, 10:22 PM

I am using hydrometer.

PRDubois · 07/28/2009, 12:16 AM

Invest is one of these for $39
Also, it is easier to min 20 gal at one time. Mixed water will keep.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Marine_De...TEOPRF-vi.html

stricknine · 07/28/2009, 02:09 AM

I use 5Gal water jugs. 5 x 1/2 cup scoops (1/2cup per gallon) is perfect every time.

murfman · 07/28/2009, 04:17 AM

Make sure the 1/2 cup scoops are level and not heaping. If you are heaping them, that could account for the increase in salinity.

loosecannon · 07/28/2009, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by slowlips
When doing water changes I mix salt and new water in a bucket 24 hrs before the water change.The salinity level in new water is too high before adding to the tank.Is it ok or the salinity level of the new water should match with salinity of then tank

My salinity drops between water changes. So I correct this by raising the salinity just a bit in the new water. My pro-skimmer runs wet.

07/27/2009, 09:41 PM	#1
slowlips Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: New York Posts: 7	Salinity during water changes When doing water changes I mix salt and new water in a bucket 24 hrs before the water change.The salinity level in new water is too high before adding to the tank.Is it ok or the salinity level of the new water should match with salinity of then tank __________________ 75g Mbuna 55g Peacocks 30g Reef Current Tank Info: 150g african cichlid tank, 48g saltwater

07/27/2009, 09:45 PM	#2
KarlBob Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Laveen, AZ Posts: 2,309	The salinity of the new water should definitely match the salinity in the tank. If it's too high after 24 hours, you can add small amounts of RO/DI, wait a few minutes, and test again until the salinity drops to the right level. If it's consistently way too high, you might be able to reduce the amount of salt you add when you're mixing it. From what I understand, though, it's a much quicker process to dilute too-salty water than to add more salt to water that's too low in salinity. Supposedly, it's best if the temperature of the new water also matches the temperature in your tank. If your house is usually 70F, and your tank is 80F, adding "chilly" water could stress the fishes. __________________ Later, KarlBob Current Tank Info: No tanks for now. Starting over in Austin sometime next year.

07/27/2009, 09:45 PM	#3
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	the salinity of the change water should match the display tank salinity. You might find it alot easier to match the salinity if you get a big plastic garbage can and mix about 30 gal at a time. Are you using a refractometer? __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

07/27/2009, 10:22 PM	#4
slowlips Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: New York Posts: 7	I am using hydrometer. __________________ 75g Mbuna 55g Peacocks 30g Reef Current Tank Info: 150g african cichlid tank, 48g saltwater

07/28/2009, 12:16 AM	#5
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	Invest is one of these for $39 Also, it is easier to min 20 gal at one time. Mixed water will keep. http://www.marinedepot.com/Marine_De...TEOPRF-vi.html __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

07/28/2009, 02:09 AM	#6
stricknine Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Up North Posts: 989	I use 5Gal water jugs. 5 x 1/2 cup scoops (1/2cup per gallon) is perfect every time.

07/28/2009, 04:17 AM	#7
murfman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 4,670	Make sure the 1/2 cup scoops are level and not heaping. If you are heaping them, that could account for the increase in salinity.