1st water change

[salth20newbie]

Was wondering where I could read material on how to successfully complete my first salt water tank water change. I have never done one before. My tank has been up for 6 weeks. I have a 20 gal tank; Just crabs; no plans for corals and looking to pick up my first fish tomorrow- a goby of some sort.

SG 1.025
Test used : Red Sea (color codes)
pH 8.0-8.1
Alkalinity: Normal Range (1.7-2.8)
Nitrate: >1p.p.m
Water Temp:76

If you guys feel something is wrong with my parameters please let me know!!

[thegrun]

Are you done with the cycle (ammonia and nitrites at zero)? If so, siphon out 2-3 gallons into a bucket and replace it with fresh salt water. If you are making the salt water yourself, be sure to mix it up the day before to be sure the salt mix is completely dissolved. Be sure to use RO/DI water. Bring the water up to the same temperature and salinity as your tank and gently pour or siphon it in.

[mike_cmu04]

ke out 10% is a good number to shoot for mix up the saltwater to the same salinity your tank is currently at

[salth20newbie]

I think my Nitrates are high? But the fishpert at my LFS said that was okay when he tested my water. My LFS tests water for free, the numbers I posted just now are what I got when I tested the water just now myself using Red Sea color coded tests (which I think are somewhat difficult to read accurately). Any how, I dont have RO/DI water, and was told my LFS to use sink water and use a dechlorinator solution that he sold me ?

[neoalchemist74]

mixing with a small power head is best, for at least a few hours. that will help get some oxygen into the water and equilize the ph of the new water.

[James404]

I would get a ro/di system asap or start buying distilled water. You are going to get some nasty algae outbreaks using tap water more than likely.

[neoalchemist74]

Originally Posted by salth20newbie

I think my Nitrates are high? But the fishpert at my LFS said that was okay when he tested my water. My LFS tests water for free, the numbers I posted just now are what I got when I tested the water just now myself using Red Sea color coded tests (which I think are somewhat difficult to read accurately). Any how, I dont have RO/DI water, and was told my LFS to use sink water and use a dechlorinator solution that he sold me ?

you can buy distilled water at the grcery store for less than two bucks a gallon it is the cleanist water you can get and is perfect for a small tank such as yours. useing tap water is the worst thing you can do and is why most people are unsuccesful in this hobbie.

[rayn]

I'd go with the distilled and mix it with salt for a day. If you use tap water, you never know what you're putting in there. If nothing else, test the tap and get a TDS reading on it too. Then you know whether you could/should use it. My guess is no.

[reefermad619]

The cheapest way to get water is to get it from the water machines outside of a grocery store, or where ever else they may be. You need a TDS meter. Once you have your TDS meter, buy 1 gallon of the water from the machine, test it, if it's acceptable, buy more. Most of them sell water for <$0.30/gal. Distilled water is clean, but RODI is cleanest. I've read the distilled water can still have up to ~2% PPM TDS, of total TDS from whatever source it came from. So if it came from 100 PPM TDS, it can still have up to 2 PPM TDS. You might be OK with faucet water for now. I have successfully kept a 10gal tank using natural sea water from Scripps Institute of Oceanography and doing top-offs with dechlorinated tap water. My tap here in San Diego has a TDS of ~500PPM. I do have algea, which isn't bad, but I've also got a ton of coralline growth too. Do any of your LFS sell RODI water? If the tank was larger I would say RODI is a must. But a 20gal isn't that much to clean. You can alway run some GFO if algea gets too crazy. If you can afford it, a RODI unit is GREAT! But you can still have a nice tank without one.

[salth20newbie]

Is it necessary to do a water change before putting a fish in the tank? LFS said my tank was ready and didnt mention anything about a water change but I have had suggestions of doing a water change from folks on here before putting a fish in. I cycled tap water and so far no algae in my tank and its been 6 weeks...maybe I am asking for trouble and didnt know it! Im sure the LFS sells the water you speak of; I know they do sell "Ocean Water"

[neoalchemist74]

Its a good idea to do the water change first. And just buy plain ro/di or distilled, both are guaranteed to be cleaner than your tap water and you need to get in the habit of mixing salt water any way.

[reefermad619]

If all the test are good, it's not needed, but it wont hurt and will get you in the habit of doing them. Just make sure everyting is ZERO, especially amonia and nitrites. Nitrates have some wiggle room. But amonia and nitrites don't. One changes their water because nitrates don't brake down to anything further, thus they accumulate in the water. Too high and it can be a problem. Change the water, nitrates decrease. If it were me, I would do it. Unless amonia, nitrites, and nitrates were zero. Then there is no need.

[salth20newbie]

Once I mix salt with the distilled water what do I use to test the salinity of the water before putting it in my tank? I dont have a lot of extravagant materials and equipment; just basic Red Sea testing kits (ph, alkalinity, nitrate) hydrometer and the salt water tank-filter,heater(which isnt set up), and Zoo Med Ocean Sun light

[Tuscaquatics]

You measure the salinity with the hydrometer.

[James404]

Originally Posted by salth20newbie

Once I mix salt with the distilled water what do I use to test the salinity of the water before putting it in my tank? I dont have a lot of extravagant materials and equipment; just basic Red Sea testing kits (ph, alkalinity, nitrate) hydrometer and the salt water tank-filter,heater(which isnt set up), and Zoo Med Ocean Sun light

for testing salinity you should have a refractometer, hydrometers can be very inaccurate.

[Tuscaquatics]

Originally Posted by James404

for testing salinity you should have a refractometer, hydrometers can be very inaccurate.

A hydrometer is fine, especially if properly filled. You don't need a refractometer right now, especially with only a FOWLR. More important than hitting one specific number for salinity is keeping it steady at all times.

[salth20newbie]

Originally Posted by Tuscaquatics

You measure the salinity with the hydrometer.

Thats what I thought, thanks! ha...showing my true ignorance here!