First water change-Salinity!

DexterGSP · 01/16/2014, 05:33 PM

I did my first 25% water change today. I measured the salinity prior to the change and it was at 1.024. I did my best to mix in the salt with the water in five gallon buckets, waited for 24 hours, then tested the salinity. Anyway, I changed the water and now the salinity sits at 1.023. I have live rock, a shrimp, and two fish in the aquarium. What do you guys think the salinity level should be?

Thanks!

syrinx · 01/16/2014, 05:37 PM

I like to keep 1.024 to 1.025, that way with my daily evaporation I only go up to 25 or 26 when it is at is highest. People with ATO can run at 1.026 which is where it is easiest to keep the levels of Kh and Ca where they desire.

EllieSuz · 01/16/2014, 05:47 PM

Saltwater in the ocean is a tad over 1.026, but I keep my tank at 1.025 to give some "wiggle room". It is very difficult to get consistent salinity when mixing in multiple buckets. I strongly recommend you get a Brute container and mix your saltwater in it, keeping it heated and aerated until well mixed. What works for me is to mix a heaping half cup of salt for each gallon in a five gallon bucket and stirring vigorously; then adding it to the RO/DI water in the Brute can. After it sits for a while, I test it and adjust as needed. You will develop your own method and the amount of salt you use will depend on the brand of salt. Experiment a little, but absolutely get a large container for mixing.

DexterGSP · 01/16/2014, 05:47 PM

So, maybe I should bump up the salinity. How do I put salt in the tank when it is already full? I'm sure adding in a straight dose of salt to the tank could harm the fish.

bellis31 · 01/16/2014, 05:51 PM

Mix some salt in a bucket to 1.025 maybe a gallon or so and manually top off the tank (when it evaps) with MIXED salt water until the tank is at 1.025. Never mix salt in your tank full of livestock.

syrinx · 01/16/2014, 05:53 PM

Some brands of salt mix better when the water is cold. If your salt mix precipitates when you mix it- try using colder water and then heating it after it is mixed.

bellis31 · 01/16/2014, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syrinx

Some brands of salt mix better when the water is cold. If your salt mix precipitates when you mix it- try using colder water and then heating it after it is mixed.

Good advice I always mix cold then heat to 77+...

MrTuskfish · 01/16/2014, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DexterGSP

So, maybe I should bump up the salinity. How do I put salt in the tank when it is already full? I'm sure adding in a straight dose of salt to the tank could harm the fish.

You're worrying way too much over a tiny difference; 1.023-1.024. Just ad a little extra salt at the next WC. If this is a FOWLR, SG can even be lower.

julie180 · 01/18/2014, 08:58 AM

Evaporation will have it in check in no time. Don't worry so much about small differences and/or changes

01/16/2014, 05:33 PM	#1
DexterGSP Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 53	First water change-Salinity! I did my first 25% water change today. I measured the salinity prior to the change and it was at 1.024. I did my best to mix in the salt with the water in five gallon buckets, waited for 24 hours, then tested the salinity. Anyway, I changed the water and now the salinity sits at 1.023. I have live rock, a shrimp, and two fish in the aquarium. What do you guys think the salinity level should be? Thanks!

01/16/2014, 05:37 PM	#2
syrinx Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: champaign Posts: 3,160	I like to keep 1.024 to 1.025, that way with my daily evaporation I only go up to 25 or 26 when it is at is highest. People with ATO can run at 1.026 which is where it is easiest to keep the levels of Kh and Ca where they desire. __________________ My views are based on 49years as an aquarist, 25 years as a pro reef consultant, 10 years of owning a LFS, and the results of thousands of customers tanks. But I am always learning.

01/16/2014, 05:47 PM	#3
EllieSuz Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 3,858	Saltwater in the ocean is a tad over 1.026, but I keep my tank at 1.025 to give some "wiggle room". It is very difficult to get consistent salinity when mixing in multiple buckets. I strongly recommend you get a Brute container and mix your saltwater in it, keeping it heated and aerated until well mixed. What works for me is to mix a heaping half cup of salt for each gallon in a five gallon bucket and stirring vigorously; then adding it to the RO/DI water in the Brute can. After it sits for a while, I test it and adjust as needed. You will develop your own method and the amount of salt you use will depend on the brand of salt. Experiment a little, but absolutely get a large container for mixing. __________________ "You can't learn this hobby one question at a time." (Mr. Tuskfish) Eileen Current Tank Info: I'm out of the hobby, but used to have a60 gal. reef, refugium in sump, Internal Mag 9 return, SC 302 skimmer, two Maxi-Jet 1200's modded, four bulb T5 Lighting, Reefkeeper Lite Controller with three PC4's, Little Fishes GFO reactor.

01/16/2014, 05:51 PM	#5
bellis31 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sacramento, Ca Posts: 1,021	Mix some salt in a bucket to 1.025 maybe a gallon or so and manually top off the tank (when it evaps) with MIXED salt water until the tank is at 1.025. Never mix salt in your tank full of livestock. __________________ 80g Custom + 29g Sump BM Curve 5 Skimmer - Eheim 1262 Return Pump 2 Vortech MP10wes + 2 Vortech MP40wes 2 Radion G3's + Apex Jr Controller + WXM

01/16/2014, 05:53 PM	#6
syrinx Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: champaign Posts: 3,160	Some brands of salt mix better when the water is cold. If your salt mix precipitates when you mix it- try using colder water and then heating it after it is mixed. __________________ My views are based on 49years as an aquarist, 25 years as a pro reef consultant, 10 years of owning a LFS, and the results of thousands of customers tanks. But I am always learning.

01/18/2014, 08:58 AM	#9
julie180 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Raymore, MO Posts: 2,556	Evaporation will have it in check in no time. Don't worry so much about small differences and/or changes