Help me, I'm an idiot

[ReefWhoDat]

Did a routine water change last night. Started to anyway.

I have a 125-gallon reef tank, about a year and a half old, still lightly stocked (few zoas/leather, chromis, 2 gobies, 2 grammas) due to $$$$ issues. Water parameters always good (0,0,<10).

But when I got 40 gallons removed, got started mixing my new water (I know, I know) then couldn't find my hydrometer to verify salinity before adding. It was 9 pm, nowhere to get a new one. Honest to god, I think my dog ate it.

Anyway, I kept the powerheads going, moved the heater to the display from the sump, and I'll get a new hydrometer and refill today. Everyone's fine for now.

My worry is the slight coating of algae on the back wall (I allow it, I actually like the look and it keeps algae off my rocks), and the two inches of a couple live rocks sticking out of the water. Is this enough to worry about die off and an ammonia spike? What can I do to prevent problems?

Please tell me I'm overthinking this and being paranoid. Thanks

[thebkramer]

Don't Panic.. take a deep breath.. and get yourself a refractometer asap!!
even go to LFS to check.. if SG is off by alot.. slowly raise or lower slowly so not to overshock your livestock

for future.. I would always list your water params.. what may be "always good" to you may not be "always good" to more experienced reefers

Happy Reefing!!!

Edit:
remember.. its usually 1/2 cup of salt per gallon of water

[ReefWhoDat]

I'm not worried about shocking anything, that's why I needed the hydrometer (yes, I'll be getting a refractometer). If I need to adjust salinity, I don't use a water change. I add water to match, then slooooowly adjust by adding salt or fresh to the sump.

That 1/2 cup to 1 gallon NEVER works right for me, and I've verified at the LFS. Don't worry, he thinks I'm crazy too. :shrug:

My big worry was only the die off of algae and a little live rock exposed to open air possibly causing an ammonia spike.

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate <10
pH 8.1

Parameters including pH very very consistent...I'm new to reef but very experienced in water parameters with complicated freshwater tanks such as Walstad au naturale etc. if anyone's familiar.

[thebkramer]

with a 125g tank.. I highly doubt it will cause enough dieoff for concern.. of course.. just test a few hours after adding sw to tank.. and again next day to be on safe side

[4deepwater8]

I use my hydrometer to mix my water and then use my refractometer to test the water in my tank. That way I have a backup if needed.
I have a dog that likes to chew things too.

[matt_wahoo]

You shouldnt have any issues in a 125g as long as you get water back in it today

[ReefWhoDat]

Originally Posted by 4deepwater8

I use my hydrometer to mix my water and then use my refractometer to test the water in my tank. That way I have a backup if needed.
I have a dog that likes to chew things too.

Also found out she likes to drink salt water. Wasted five gallons worth of salt last time that way.

Bassett hounds are weird creatures.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

[sporto0]

I'm just curious as to how you meter out your salt, in otherwords don't you use a 1/2 or 1 whole cup measuring scoop? I know exactly how many scoops for each 5 gallon bucket, I double check occasionally, but it's always right where I need it to be. Just a thought.

[Tim gixxerman]

Just a question. What kind of salt are you using?

[Tim gixxerman]

^^^ Just being curious

[Captainfester]

BKRAMER... he did list his params in first post

[Raggamuffin]

for future reference this is how I used to do it before I moved up to a 55g mixing barrel.

Fill your 5g bucket to a specific line on the bucket, mark it with a Sharpie permanent marker.

Use a 2 cup measuring cup fill it level to 2 cups and dump it on in. You will be short of your mark, it should come out to approx 1.020sg

Use a 1/4 cup measuring cup and fill it to level add 1 per 10-15 min to your bucket while it is mixing until you reach where you want to be. add up the extra you put in and mark the 2 CUP measuring cup at that point with a sharpie.

Next time you make water fill the bucket to the line, dump in 2 level cups of salt and level to your line and you should never be off more than a speck as long as you use the same salt brand.

[ReefWhoDat]

Originally Posted by sporto0

I'm just curious as to how you meter out your salt, in otherwords don't you use a 1/2 or 1 whole cup measuring scoop? I know exactly how many scoops for each 5 gallon bucket, I double check occasionally, but it's always right where I need it to be. Just a thought.

Also in response to Ragamuffin. I use a 45-gallon Rubbermaid trash can kept especially for mixing water I have a mark on my tank and a mark on the can that match the perfect amount of water to change. Why I've never measured to find the exact amount of salt (as Ragamuffin describes) I don't know. I will next time, though.

Even if I knew, though, I'm too cautious to add it without measuring first anyway.

EDIT: Oh, yeah, my method. The jug of salt makes 90 gallons according to the label. I mix 40 gallons at a time, which uses nearly half. So I dump in a third, let it mix, then add a shake or two at a time til it's right. Yep, super scientific.

Originally Posted by Tim gixxerman

Just a question. What kind of salt are you using?

Instant Ocean.

EDIT2: LOL at the similar threads. Guess I'm not alone.

[briankmarsh1980]

I think you are over thinking this and being paranoid

[scarface70706]

Damn dogs lol my puppy ate one of my bulk heads when i was eating lunch. came in the room to start my plumbing and it was chewed to bits. im sure you will find it one day under your couch half eaten lol