Tank Sailinity

molder · 02/19/2006, 04:03 PM

I just started my tank. I have no livestock at the moment. I ordered 75 lbs of uncured live rock as the salty friend advised me that this would be best in the long run. When I got the rock I placed them in tubs with dechlorinated saltwater. Later that week I got some RO/DI water from a new salty friend. I mixed the salt in buckets and let it set for several days. After pouring the water in my tank I noticed that undissolved salt was in the bottom of the bucket, it is very cold here, high of 14F today. Is there a formula I can use to calculate the amount of salt to add to the tank? I just check my salinity using a coralife hydrometer. I know plastic is not the most desirable instrument for this job but I want to spread the cost of setup as thinly as posible

molder · 02/19/2006, 04:05 PM

I forgot the sailintity is 1.014

paulfromero · 02/19/2006, 04:07 PM

Hi,

Maybe the reason why the salt did not mix well was the low temperature. Try to mix a few gallons at 80F +

gl,

Paul

smcnally · 02/19/2006, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by molder
...but I want to spread the cost of setup as thinly as posible

Not to be a downer....But thinking this way will cost you a lot more in the long run. Saving money by getting base or uncured rock and starting slow is great. But saving money by buying cheap equipment will cost you more. You will never be certain of your parameters and will end up buying the right stuff later. Trust me...I did the same thing.

rpeeples · 02/19/2006, 04:27 PM

Mixing @ 75F + is best....rule of thumb 1.021 = 4oz/gallon

smcnally · 02/19/2006, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rpeeples
Mixing @ 75F + is best....rule of thumb 1.021 = 4oz/gallon

1.021 is not good for a reef tank though. 1.025 is a much better area to be it. I get it just about right on by adding ~ 1/2 cup per gallon

paulfromero · 02/19/2006, 04:44 PM

Hi again,

Here is some info on salinity and ich. If you ever, like me, get ich (courtesy of your LFS) on your fish. The best way to fight it, IMO, is to:

1)lower salinity to 1.010. The fish can survive in this; the parasites cannot.

2)increase temperature to 85 degrees.

I've heard the chemicals do more damage than they help.

Reef invertebrates cannot handle salinity of 1.010, however.

bertoni · 02/19/2006, 08:42 PM

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.php

That article might help you calibrate your swing arm.

THEBMAN · 02/19/2006, 09:44 PM

Quote:

But thinking this way will cost you a lot more in the long run

I would have to definitely agree with this statement, its cool to start slow and save money, but don't cut back on the proper equipment you will need for this hobby.

NCreefwannabe · 02/19/2006, 11:06 PM

yeah starting with used equipiment or cheaper stuff isnt always bad. But I was wondering. Is your skimmer sitting INSIDE your tank? If not lol it really looks that way.

dots · 02/19/2006, 11:16 PM

You probably will want to add a sump, if you havn't already, for that skimmer.

mg426 · 02/19/2006, 11:17 PM

Not to be negative at all but cheap gear = many many problems

BucNtears · 02/19/2006, 11:19 PM

Ever heard the old saying ?
"You can pay me now or pay me later"
Very true with this hobby
Rick

IslandCrow · 02/19/2006, 11:37 PM

There are usually directions on the salt container for how much to add, but I'd just use this as a general guide. With Instant Ocean (IO), I've found I have to add a little more than it says. I just mix it in a 5g bucket, throw in a powerhead and a heater (I had the same problem as you before I started using a heater), and check it after a few hours or so. If the salinity is too low, I slowly add more salt and check again after a few hours. After awhile, you get a good feel for it, and I always default to too little salt. On a side note, you'll want to let the new water aerate at least overnight to get oxygen back in the water and just to let everything stabilize.

As far as saving money on equipment goes, I agree for the most part with everyone else, but on the other hand, don't get suckered into buying more than what you really need. For instance, if you're just keeping fish, most of them are pretty tolerant to water parameters that aren't quite perfect, so I don't see why you'd need to spend big bucks on a really nice refractometer, $500 protein skimmer, UV thingamajigger, calcium reactor, etc. With that said, I think we've all come to realize there's no way you can make this hobby cheap.

BucNtears · 02/19/2006, 11:56 PM

refractometer = priceless
2 hydrometer going bad equals a refractor

NCreefwannabe · 02/20/2006, 12:26 AM

yeah i agree that some things are needed. but such as skimmers, powerheads, pumps... All can be gottin so much cheaper used. if they work thats cool too lol. If not most only need impellers anyways. And above all dont blow money on lights. I bought mine used, replaced the bulbs aqnd still saved a few hundred bucks.

THEBMAN · 02/22/2006, 05:55 PM

bertoni in regards to the article

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.php

I'm not quite sure i understand, When one is using a refractometer to measure salinty, it should read 1.033.

Is that right, or did i miss read it.

bertoni · 02/22/2006, 06:05 PM

I think most refractometers should read 1.027 on full-strength saltwater when calibrated with RO-DI water, but it's worth making the calibration standards, IMO.

02/19/2006, 04:03 PM	#1
molder Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: St. Louis Posts: 33	Tank Sailinity I just started my tank. I have no livestock at the moment. I ordered 75 lbs of uncured live rock as the salty friend advised me that this would be best in the long run. When I got the rock I placed them in tubs with dechlorinated saltwater. Later that week I got some RO/DI water from a new salty friend. I mixed the salt in buckets and let it set for several days. After pouring the water in my tank I noticed that undissolved salt was in the bottom of the bucket, it is very cold here, high of 14F today. Is there a formula I can use to calculate the amount of salt to add to the tank? I just check my salinity using a coralife hydrometer. I know plastic is not the most desirable instrument for this job but I want to spread the cost of setup as thinly as posible

02/19/2006, 08:42 PM	#8
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.php That article might help you calibrate your swing arm. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/19/2006, 11:16 PM	#11
dots Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 6,258	You probably will want to add a sump, if you havn't already, for that skimmer. __________________ ~Doug

02/19/2006, 11:17 PM	#12
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	Not to be negative at all but cheap gear = many many problems __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

02/19/2006, 11:19 PM	#13
BucNtears Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Crestview,FL. Posts: 1,019	Ever heard the old saying ? "You can pay me now or pay me later" Very true with this hobby Rick __________________ If I only had a bigger tank Current Tank Info: 120 with 75 sump/fuge

02/19/2006, 04:05 PM	#2
molder Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: St. Louis Posts: 33	I forgot the sailintity is 1.014

02/19/2006, 04:07 PM	#3
paulfromero Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 471	Hi, Maybe the reason why the salt did not mix well was the low temperature. Try to mix a few gallons at 80F + gl, Paul

02/19/2006, 04:27 PM	#5
rpeeples Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: NC Posts: 643	Mixing @ 75F + is best....rule of thumb 1.021 = 4oz/gallon

02/19/2006, 04:44 PM	#7
paulfromero Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 471	Hi again, Here is some info on salinity and ich. If you ever, like me, get ich (courtesy of your LFS) on your fish. The best way to fight it, IMO, is to: 1)lower salinity to 1.010. The fish can survive in this; the parasites cannot. 2)increase temperature to 85 degrees. I've heard the chemicals do more damage than they help. Reef invertebrates cannot handle salinity of 1.010, however.

02/19/2006, 11:06 PM	#10
NCreefwannabe Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 953	yeah starting with used equipiment or cheaper stuff isnt always bad. But I was wondering. Is your skimmer sitting INSIDE your tank? If not lol it really looks that way.

02/19/2006, 11:37 PM	#14
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	There are usually directions on the salt container for how much to add, but I'd just use this as a general guide. With Instant Ocean (IO), I've found I have to add a little more than it says. I just mix it in a 5g bucket, throw in a powerhead and a heater (I had the same problem as you before I started using a heater), and check it after a few hours or so. If the salinity is too low, I slowly add more salt and check again after a few hours. After awhile, you get a good feel for it, and I always default to too little salt. On a side note, you'll want to let the new water aerate at least overnight to get oxygen back in the water and just to let everything stabilize. As far as saving money on equipment goes, I agree for the most part with everyone else, but on the other hand, don't get suckered into buying more than what you really need. For instance, if you're just keeping fish, most of them are pretty tolerant to water parameters that aren't quite perfect, so I don't see why you'd need to spend big bucks on a really nice refractometer, $500 protein skimmer, UV thingamajigger, calcium reactor, etc. With that said, I think we've all come to realize there's no way you can make this hobby cheap. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

02/19/2006, 11:56 PM	#15
BucNtears Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Crestview,FL. Posts: 1,019	refractometer = priceless 2 hydrometer going bad equals a refractor __________________ If I only had a bigger tank Current Tank Info: 120 with 75 sump/fuge

02/20/2006, 12:26 AM	#16
NCreefwannabe Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 953	yeah i agree that some things are needed. but such as skimmers, powerheads, pumps... All can be gottin so much cheaper used. if they work thats cool too lol. If not most only need impellers anyways. And above all dont blow money on lights. I bought mine used, replaced the bulbs aqnd still saved a few hundred bucks.

02/22/2006, 05:55 PM	#17
THEBMAN Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 317	bertoni in regards to the article http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.php I'm not quite sure i understand, When one is using a refractometer to measure salinty, it should read 1.033. Is that right, or did i miss read it.

02/22/2006, 06:05 PM	#18
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I think most refractometers should read 1.027 on full-strength saltwater when calibrated with RO-DI water, but it's worth making the calibration standards, IMO. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni