Salinity

jonb154 · 09/19/2012, 05:12 PM

Ok briefly; had a few acros die recently, so I took a sample of my water to the lfs, and let him test it. I found out my s.g. Is at 1.019, at a temp of 83 degrees, dkh is between 8 and 9, and calcium is at 395, my question is how fast should I raise my sg to get it back to 1.026 ( where I started a yr and a half ago) thanks for your input in advance.

redwhiteandblue · 09/19/2012, 05:15 PM

i would say .02 a day is good. so 4-7 days you would be fine.

jonb154 · 09/19/2012, 05:22 PM

Thanks Very much

redwhiteandblue · 09/19/2012, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonb154

Thanks Very much

no prob. i have jumped mine up like .03 on accident during a water change in my nano and everything was fine. someone else might chime in as well. every tank is different. starfish are sensitive to salinity changes apparantly, from what ive read

jonb154 · 09/19/2012, 05:31 PM

Yeah they are but all I have are brittles, and serpents, so I'll probably do a little less than .02 but I do appreciate the input!

downbeach · 09/19/2012, 05:37 PM

How much do you top off each day? You could just use your make up water instead of plain RO/DI. What have you been using to test your salinity with? If you don't have a refractometer, you might put one on your wish list along with some calibration fluid.

Munchdog · 09/19/2012, 05:44 PM

I have a refractometer for sale here in like 3 days if interested. (Just ordered a digital Hanna Checker).

I'd sell it for $30.

Dapg8gt · 09/19/2012, 05:45 PM

I second just top off with fresh salt water. Should work fine.

Totally agree with the Refractometer. And don't forget to get calibration solution at or close to what your target salinity will be. There is a recipie for a DIY that works just as well with table salt.

jonb154 · 09/19/2012, 06:02 PM

These are awesome ideas, and I could use a refractometer, still in the stone age with a hydrometer, I dose Kalk with my top off and I was already wondering if I should put salt in the top off, u don't think this would change the salinity too drastically too quick?

Neptune_Fan · 09/19/2012, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munchdog

I have a refractometer for sale here in like 3 days if interested. (Just ordered a digital Hanna Checker).

I'd sell it for $30.

You say this as if there is a Hanna Checker for Salinty...if there is I havent seen it yet...link?

Dapg8gt · 09/19/2012, 07:16 PM

Not sure about the kalk.. I don't see why it wouldn't work. I just wonder if it will alter the effectiveness.. IDK.

jonb154 · 09/19/2012, 07:28 PM

Yeah I'm gonna try it, but I'm not gonna use a full batch just a half n half mix with ro. Thanks everyone for your ideas, will post results! Munch... Still interested in the refractometer.

bertoni · 09/19/2012, 07:44 PM

I probably would target 0.001 units every day or two, but I agree with adding some salt to the topoff.

jonb154 · 09/20/2012, 03:24 AM

Thanks Jonathan that's wat I was thinking, redid my calculations and it comes to 25% saltwater and 75 ro... Does that sound right to you?

downbeach · 09/20/2012, 04:43 AM

I would just use the same water you use for your WC's for top off. That along with your routine water changes will slowly get it back to the right level, then go back to topping off with plain RO/DI water.

jonb154 · 09/20/2012, 07:45 PM

By the calculations I did if I used straight salt water for top off; my specific gravity would raise from 1.019 to 1.023+ in a matter of 24 to 48 hrs, I think that's too fast to be healthy, but the top off is the best way to introduce it, I just need to dilute it, I think I'll stretch it out over a two week period. Thanks everyone you have been truly helpful!

bertoni · 09/20/2012, 10:34 PM

I think that 25% saltwater sound fine.

Infiltrator · 09/21/2012, 09:52 PM

+1 on doing it slowly

jerpa · 09/22/2012, 01:32 PM

He stated he is using kalk in his ATO. Wouldn't adding saltwater to the limewater cause a precipitation of the Alk/Cal in the saltwater? That is my understanding but hopefully one of the experts can clarify.

bertoni · 09/22/2012, 06:53 PM

Yes, if there's much Kalk in the limewater, it'll precipitate calcium carbonate. I missed that.

jonb154 · 09/24/2012, 05:28 PM

How do u feel about mixing a batch of salt water and using a drip acclimation system to add to the sump slowly?

staindsoul · 09/24/2012, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neptune_Fan

You say this as if there is a Hanna Checker for Salinty...if there is I havent seen it yet...link?

http://www.professionalequipment.com...inity-testers/

Google, ftw.

bertoni · 09/24/2012, 07:06 PM

You could do the drip approach, or you could just add a cup or so of saltwater to the tank in the morning. What is the actual volume of water in the system?

jonb154 · 09/24/2012, 10:52 PM

101 display, 20 refugium, 10 in sump, probably about 100 in actual water volume when u subtract the rock and sand etc.

bertoni · 09/24/2012, 10:59 PM

I'd probably just throw in a pint of saltwater or so once or twice per day, and see how the salinity responds.

09/19/2012, 05:12 PM	#1
jonb154 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: tallahassee, fl Posts: 38	Salinity Ok briefly; had a few acros die recently, so I took a sample of my water to the lfs, and let him test it. I found out my s.g. Is at 1.019, at a temp of 83 degrees, dkh is between 8 and 9, and calcium is at 395, my question is how fast should I raise my sg to get it back to 1.026 ( where I started a yr and a half ago) thanks for your input in advance.

09/19/2012, 05:15 PM	#2
redwhiteandblue Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 259	i would say .02 a day is good. so 4-7 days you would be fine. __________________ 180 mixed reef since 2011....work in progress 55 in wall Fowlr

09/19/2012, 05:45 PM	#8
Dapg8gt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Pacifica Posts: 3,741	I second just top off with fresh salt water. Should work fine. Totally agree with the Refractometer. And don't forget to get calibration solution at or close to what your target salinity will be. There is a recipie for a DIY that works just as well with table salt. __________________ 15 years in the hobby yet still learning every day. 280g radium lit sps flat living in my garage rent free. Current Tank Info: 105g SPS dominant euro braced powered by 4 ecotech pumps and lit by an ATI powermodule controlled by a reef angel =).

09/19/2012, 07:16 PM	#11
Dapg8gt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Pacifica Posts: 3,741	Not sure about the kalk.. I don't see why it wouldn't work. I just wonder if it will alter the effectiveness.. IDK. __________________ 15 years in the hobby yet still learning every day. 280g radium lit sps flat living in my garage rent free. Current Tank Info: 105g SPS dominant euro braced powered by 4 ecotech pumps and lit by an ATI powermodule controlled by a reef angel =).

09/19/2012, 07:44 PM	#13
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I probably would target 0.001 units every day or two, but I agree with adding some salt to the topoff. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

09/19/2012, 05:22 PM	#3
jonb154 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: tallahassee, fl Posts: 38	Thanks Very much

09/19/2012, 05:31 PM	#5
jonb154 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: tallahassee, fl Posts: 38	Yeah they are but all I have are brittles, and serpents, so I'll probably do a little less than .02 but I do appreciate the input!

09/19/2012, 05:37 PM	#6
downbeach Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Smyrna, Delaware Posts: 3,767	How much do you top off each day? You could just use your make up water instead of plain RO/DI. What have you been using to test your salinity with? If you don't have a refractometer, you might put one on your wish list along with some calibration fluid.

09/19/2012, 05:44 PM	#7
Munchdog Moved On Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 55	I have a refractometer for sale here in like 3 days if interested. (Just ordered a digital Hanna Checker). I'd sell it for $30.

09/19/2012, 06:02 PM	#9
jonb154 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: tallahassee, fl Posts: 38	These are awesome ideas, and I could use a refractometer, still in the stone age with a hydrometer, I dose Kalk with my top off and I was already wondering if I should put salt in the top off, u don't think this would change the salinity too drastically too quick?

09/19/2012, 07:28 PM	#12
jonb154 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: tallahassee, fl Posts: 38	Yeah I'm gonna try it, but I'm not gonna use a full batch just a half n half mix with ro. Thanks everyone for your ideas, will post results! Munch... Still interested in the refractometer.

09/20/2012, 03:24 AM	#14
jonb154 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: tallahassee, fl Posts: 38	Thanks Jonathan that's wat I was thinking, redid my calculations and it comes to 25% saltwater and 75 ro... Does that sound right to you?

09/20/2012, 04:43 AM	#15
downbeach Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Smyrna, Delaware Posts: 3,767	I would just use the same water you use for your WC's for top off. That along with your routine water changes will slowly get it back to the right level, then go back to topping off with plain RO/DI water.

09/20/2012, 07:45 PM	#16
jonb154 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: tallahassee, fl Posts: 38	By the calculations I did if I used straight salt water for top off; my specific gravity would raise from 1.019 to 1.023+ in a matter of 24 to 48 hrs, I think that's too fast to be healthy, but the top off is the best way to introduce it, I just need to dilute it, I think I'll stretch it out over a two week period. Thanks everyone you have been truly helpful!

09/20/2012, 10:34 PM	#17
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I think that 25% saltwater sound fine. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

09/21/2012, 09:52 PM	#18
Infiltrator Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Melbourne, Fl Posts: 59	+1 on doing it slowly

09/22/2012, 01:32 PM	#19
jerpa Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 2,174	He stated he is using kalk in his ATO. Wouldn't adding saltwater to the limewater cause a precipitation of the Alk/Cal in the saltwater? That is my understanding but hopefully one of the experts can clarify. __________________ Jer Current Tank Info: 40b basement sump, 40b refugium, 30g frag

09/22/2012, 06:53 PM	#20
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Yes, if there's much Kalk in the limewater, it'll precipitate calcium carbonate. I missed that. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

09/24/2012, 05:28 PM	#21
jonb154 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: tallahassee, fl Posts: 38	How do u feel about mixing a batch of salt water and using a drip acclimation system to add to the sump slowly?

09/24/2012, 07:06 PM	#23
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	You could do the drip approach, or you could just add a cup or so of saltwater to the tank in the morning. What is the actual volume of water in the system? __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

09/24/2012, 10:52 PM	#24
jonb154 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: tallahassee, fl Posts: 38	101 display, 20 refugium, 10 in sump, probably about 100 in actual water volume when u subtract the rock and sand etc.

09/24/2012, 10:59 PM	#25
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I'd probably just throw in a pint of saltwater or so once or twice per day, and see how the salinity responds. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni