newbie setting up a 120 - salt levels

Adam P · 04/02/2010, 06:54 PM

Filled the tank earlier today and started adding salt from the Instant Ocean 50g bags. Question is after adding one bag im at 1.012. I know I need at least another bag in there before I need to start worrying about salt per gallons specifically but is another bag going to add a crazy amount of salinity to my .012?

It was an existing tank that was moved to my place from a friends using his sand, rocks, etc..

Thanks guys

new2salt09 · 04/02/2010, 07:10 PM

a secound bag should get you in to the 20's .022 - .024.
what are you planing on keeping fish only/ reeef ???

Adam P · 04/02/2010, 07:20 PM

Probably just a couple fish, small eel (possibly snowflake), and some rock to start off with. just getting into the saltwater tanks so i dont want to kill anything or get in over my head too fast.

new2salt09 · 04/02/2010, 07:32 PM

K fish and live rock only youll be fine at .022-24
if you start adding corals down the road then slowley raise to .026-27
eather way take your time be patient & keep in mind nothing good happens fast

Adam P · 04/03/2010, 09:25 AM

so with checking this mmorning im at .016. I measured the tank and came up with 24x31x48 and searched a bit online to find that its a 150g, not a 120g as was told to me when i picked it up. time to throw another bag in there.......

Saltcity · 04/03/2010, 08:21 PM

It's best to mix your sand/water in a seperate container then add to the tank.

tspors · 04/04/2010, 07:44 AM

If you do not have anything in the tank yet you are ok mixing in the tank, vs in a seperate container. If there is nothing in the tank just keep adding the salt to the needed level. I did this then let the tank run for over a week. I then took out 60 gallons and added rock, returned some of the water and started cycle for the next two months.

Adam P · 05/09/2010, 11:44 AM

After a little over a month Im getting anxious to set up.

Readings on 4.11 were:
PH 8.4
AM 0
Nitrite 5
Nitrate 20
Salinity 1.024

Readings on 5.8 were:
PH 8.4
AM 0
Nitrite .25
Nitrate 2.5
Salinity 1.024

Ive had 2 damsels in there for 3 weeks or so and they are healthy as can be. I picked up 3 pep shrimp 2 weeks ago and the last one kicked the bucket a couple days ago. I have one 20lb live rock which is starting to get a brown coraline as well as the sand and glass. About 60-65 lbs or dry was added 4 days ago. I have 2 24" blue/white LED panels that provide adequate lighting for my needs. Im just going to do basic fish and CUC stuff for the time being as the tank is not drilled and only has a canister filter

Question is, whats my next step? I know I should have waited on the damsels but id rather keep them healthy through the cycle if possible. What should I put in there to start taking care of the brown algae?

dwd5813 · 05/09/2010, 11:55 AM

dose this heavily as needed.

Adam P · 05/09/2010, 12:03 PM

ya I know, just dont want the algae to get out of hand or affect the fish.

thelittlereef · 05/09/2010, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwd5813

dose this heavily as needed.

I never seen this stuff what's it do??

Zappo · 05/09/2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by new2salt09

if you start adding corals down the road then slowley raise to .026-27

I've always been told 1.023. Is there a benefit to raising salinity above natural ocean levels?

Quote:

Originally Posted by thelittlereef

I never seen this stuff what's it do??

Helps to prevent tank crashes and pest algae growth.

shifty51008 · 05/09/2010, 03:31 PM

natural ocean level's is 1.026 or 35ppt, but in diff. areas it can range higher or lower, but the most part 1.026 is average

rayn · 05/09/2010, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwd5813

dose this heavily as needed.

This needs to come with all new tank setups!

Adam P · 05/09/2010, 03:48 PM

In hindsight I wish I would have read into it far more and got a better drilled/sump setup. Better to be too prepared at first. Do I have many options as far as adding a sump below to remove my canister filter? Theres only 2-3" between the tank and wall and draining/moving isnt going to be on my to do list

rayn · 05/09/2010, 03:51 PM

Check overflow boxes. My eshopps ps-800 is exactly 3" between the tank and wall. Tight fit, especially when glueing the pipe, but doable. You are correct, always do research before adding or changeing anything and it will save you headache later.

dwd5813 · 05/09/2010, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thelittlereef

I never seen this stuff what's it do??

04/02/2010, 06:54 PM	#1
Adam P Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 35	newbie setting up a 120 - salt levels Filled the tank earlier today and started adding salt from the Instant Ocean 50g bags. Question is after adding one bag im at 1.012. I know I need at least another bag in there before I need to start worrying about salt per gallons specifically but is another bag going to add a crazy amount of salinity to my .012? It was an existing tank that was moved to my place from a friends using his sand, rocks, etc.. Thanks guys

04/04/2010, 07:44 AM	#7
tspors Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Appleton, WI. USA Posts: 774	If you do not have anything in the tank yet you are ok mixing in the tank, vs in a seperate container. If there is nothing in the tank just keep adding the salt to the needed level. I did this then let the tank run for over a week. I then took out 60 gallons and added rock, returned some of the water and started cycle for the next two months. __________________ Everything is Good with Moderation. Current Tank Info: 150 Gal Oceanic, 30g Sump, Gen-X PCX-150 2250 gph, Red Sea Clasic Turbo Skimmer, 18w Turbo Twist UV, Ocean Clear Filter w/live rock, Several Buckets,

05/09/2010, 11:55 AM	#9
dwd5813 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: 813 Posts: 2,827	dose this heavily as needed. __________________ order some golf shoes, otherwise we'll never get out of this place alive. what can i say? in dog beers, i have only had one. - dublo8 Current Tank Info: 40B aiptasia farm

04/02/2010, 07:10 PM	#2
new2salt09 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: mt. morris mi Posts: 90	a secound bag should get you in to the 20's .022 - .024. what are you planing on keeping fish only/ reeef ???

04/02/2010, 07:20 PM	#3
Adam P Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 35	Probably just a couple fish, small eel (possibly snowflake), and some rock to start off with. just getting into the saltwater tanks so i dont want to kill anything or get in over my head too fast.

04/02/2010, 07:32 PM	#4
new2salt09 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: mt. morris mi Posts: 90	K fish and live rock only youll be fine at .022-24 if you start adding corals down the road then slowley raise to .026-27 eather way take your time be patient & keep in mind nothing good happens fast

04/03/2010, 09:25 AM	#5
Adam P Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 35	so with checking this mmorning im at .016. I measured the tank and came up with 24x31x48 and searched a bit online to find that its a 150g, not a 120g as was told to me when i picked it up. time to throw another bag in there.......

04/03/2010, 08:21 PM	#6
Saltcity Moved On Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 4,297	It's best to mix your sand/water in a seperate container then add to the tank.

05/09/2010, 12:03 PM	#10
Adam P Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 35	ya I know, just dont want the algae to get out of hand or affect the fish.

05/09/2010, 03:31 PM	#13
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	natural ocean level's is 1.026 or 35ppt, but in diff. areas it can range higher or lower, but the most part 1.026 is average

05/09/2010, 03:48 PM	#15
Adam P Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 35	In hindsight I wish I would have read into it far more and got a better drilled/sump setup. Better to be too prepared at first. Do I have many options as far as adding a sump below to remove my canister filter? Theres only 2-3" between the tank and wall and draining/moving isnt going to be on my to do list

05/09/2010, 03:51 PM	#16
rayn Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pekin, Il Posts: 2,864	Check overflow boxes. My eshopps ps-800 is exactly 3" between the tank and wall. Tight fit, especially when glueing the pipe, but doable. You are correct, always do research before adding or changeing anything and it will save you headache later.