SG not changing much in my 38g

Embowe · 09/23/2006, 08:46 AM

I started getting my 38gallon tank going last night. I have put in the tap water...(all I can get ahold of) and added the conditioner and then started adding the salt...I figured that 9.5 cups should give the the gravity I needed. I added the salt...with both of my powerheads turned on....I checked the SG and it was at about 1.012...it looked like all the salt was dissolved...so I added another full cup...I get up this morning and its only at 1.018....should I just keep adding half cups until I get the SG where it should be? or just let it sit for a while longer?

WingnutSr · 09/23/2006, 08:58 AM

I am using Instant Ocean brand salt, it calls for 1/2 cup of salt per gallon of water. So for this, it would take about 19 cups. That is just a reference point, and then I adjust from there. Read the mixing instructios on your brand, and use that to start. Also, I would not recomend mixing salt and water in the tank itself. I always use a five gallon bucket, then add it to the tank after all salt has thouroghly disolved.

Shagsbeard · 09/23/2006, 10:16 AM

It's amazing how much salt is in a gallon of salt water. Adding salt to water actually decreases the volume of the mixture a tiny ammount. Water is wierd stuff. It's the only substance that melts under presure (regelation) that I can think of... most stuff solidifies under presure.

Anyway... keep adding salt there's no need to wait a while longer... or a while at all. But it's much better to mix your water before you put it in the tank next time. Get a sterile trash container from the hardware store and mix it in that.

Oh... and get a RO/DI unit. For $200 or so you can have really the best water you can imagine. It's well worth it and pays for itself within the first year. You're going to spend more money combating nitrate problems alone if you use conditioned tap.

09/23/2006, 08:46 AM	#1
Embowe Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Jersey Posts: 331	SG not changing much in my 38g I started getting my 38gallon tank going last night. I have put in the tap water...(all I can get ahold of) and added the conditioner and then started adding the salt...I figured that 9.5 cups should give the the gravity I needed. I added the salt...with both of my powerheads turned on....I checked the SG and it was at about 1.012...it looked like all the salt was dissolved...so I added another full cup...I get up this morning and its only at 1.018....should I just keep adding half cups until I get the SG where it should be? or just let it sit for a while longer?

09/23/2006, 08:58 AM	#2
WingnutSr Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Clermont Florida Posts: 463	I am using Instant Ocean brand salt, it calls for 1/2 cup of salt per gallon of water. So for this, it would take about 19 cups. That is just a reference point, and then I adjust from there. Read the mixing instructios on your brand, and use that to start. Also, I would not recomend mixing salt and water in the tank itself. I always use a five gallon bucket, then add it to the tank after all salt has thouroghly disolved. __________________ Nobody saw me do it. You can't prove a thing! Current Tank Info: 125 AGA Mixed Reef, 55 AGA sump/fuge. 160 lbs LR, Little Giant 4-MDQX-SC, Rio 2100, Seio M1500. Tunze DOC 9010 skimmer. 6 X 96watts PC lighting.

09/23/2006, 10:16 AM	#3
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	It's amazing how much salt is in a gallon of salt water. Adding salt to water actually decreases the volume of the mixture a tiny ammount. Water is wierd stuff. It's the only substance that melts under presure (regelation) that I can think of... most stuff solidifies under presure. Anyway... keep adding salt there's no need to wait a while longer... or a while at all. But it's much better to mix your water before you put it in the tank next time. Get a sterile trash container from the hardware store and mix it in that. Oh... and get a RO/DI unit. For $200 or so you can have really the best water you can imagine. It's well worth it and pays for itself within the first year. You're going to spend more money combating nitrate problems alone if you use conditioned tap.