Raising salinity

Duff Man · 04/05/2007, 07:04 PM

My salinity is lower than it was before as measured by a refractometer. I calibrate it with store bought distilled water. It currently is 1.021 with only live rock in the tank which I bought cured last Sunday. I looked on Dr.'s F&S and they say that live rock should be in the area of 1.023-1.025. Is there a rule of thumb that I can use to raise my levels to these? For example, if I take out 5 gal., what should be the salinity of the new water be? I have a 75 gallon tank with about 15-20 gallons in my sump. I am seeing some of the green growth turn white and hope this isn't the cause.

marduc · 04/05/2007, 07:13 PM

raise the salinity slowly.. instead of adding fresh water to replace evaporation add salt water mixed to say 1.026, and continue testing until it gets to where you want it, once you get your target range (i would suggest targeting 1.025) resume replacing evaporative loss with fresh water.

Duff Man · 04/05/2007, 07:38 PM

Darnnit, I just did a top-off last night. That makes sense though.

Just curious, what is the difference between 1.021 and 1.025 total in a 75 gal. tank. Is it a couple tablespoons or is it a cup full of salt. Don't get me wrong, I realize I will change the salinity slowly, but I'm just curious how big is the difference of .004 is in salt quantity, if anyboby knows.

marduc · 04/05/2007, 07:46 PM

not sure on the answer to that i could only give guestimates there, but I would say a cup would be closer to the actual amount in 75 gallons (99% of the time I am onloy adjusting salinity inthe 10 gallon or so range)

When you do water changes, also make your salt water up to a higher salinity than your current in tank salinity.. but make the adjustment subtle.. say if you are at 1.022 then make your fresh salt water up to 1.024.

This in tandem with the salt water top off should ease you back to your target range.

ahullsb · 04/05/2007, 10:02 PM

I'm guessing that you will use at least 2 cups before you reach 1.025. But do it over a few days.

tunerX · 04/05/2007, 10:09 PM

You could siphon 30% water out of your tank into a trashcan. Then add salt to the trashcan until it is about 1.027. I did 30 percent when I was at 1.021; it brought it up to 1.023 when I did this. I waited about 24 hours to make sure it was stable then I did it again to get it to 1.025.

I added the water back into the sump so it would get circulated a little faster.

04/05/2007, 07:04 PM	#1
Duff Man Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chicago's far NW burbs Posts: 629	Raising salinity My salinity is lower than it was before as measured by a refractometer. I calibrate it with store bought distilled water. It currently is 1.021 with only live rock in the tank which I bought cured last Sunday. I looked on Dr.'s F&S and they say that live rock should be in the area of 1.023-1.025. Is there a rule of thumb that I can use to raise my levels to these? For example, if I take out 5 gal., what should be the salinity of the new water be? I have a 75 gallon tank with about 15-20 gallons in my sump. I am seeing some of the green growth turn white and hope this isn't the cause.

04/05/2007, 10:02 PM	#5
ahullsb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: sacramento, ca Posts: 2,729	I'm guessing that you will use at least 2 cups before you reach 1.025. But do it over a few days. __________________ Andy Sacramento, CA Current Tank Info: 55 gallon reef w/20 gallon sump/ER135/ 75 pounds of live rock, 4 in sandbed, 2 b&w ocellaris clowns, yellow watchman/pistol, rosy scaled wrasse, Mystery wrasse, Copperbanded Butterfly, Lighting 48" outer orbit 2 150 mh/ 4 t5 actinics

04/05/2007, 07:13 PM	#2
marduc Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tampa, Fl. Posts: 780	raise the salinity slowly.. instead of adding fresh water to replace evaporation add salt water mixed to say 1.026, and continue testing until it gets to where you want it, once you get your target range (i would suggest targeting 1.025) resume replacing evaporative loss with fresh water.

04/05/2007, 07:38 PM	#3
Duff Man Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chicago's far NW burbs Posts: 629	Darnnit, I just did a top-off last night. That makes sense though. Just curious, what is the difference between 1.021 and 1.025 total in a 75 gal. tank. Is it a couple tablespoons or is it a cup full of salt. Don't get me wrong, I realize I will change the salinity slowly, but I'm just curious how big is the difference of .004 is in salt quantity, if anyboby knows.

04/05/2007, 07:46 PM	#4
marduc Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tampa, Fl. Posts: 780	not sure on the answer to that i could only give guestimates there, but I would say a cup would be closer to the actual amount in 75 gallons (99% of the time I am onloy adjusting salinity inthe 10 gallon or so range) When you do water changes, also make your salt water up to a higher salinity than your current in tank salinity.. but make the adjustment subtle.. say if you are at 1.022 then make your fresh salt water up to 1.024. This in tandem with the salt water top off should ease you back to your target range.

04/05/2007, 10:09 PM	#6
tunerX Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 31	You could siphon 30% water out of your tank into a trashcan. Then add salt to the trashcan until it is about 1.027. I did 30 percent when I was at 1.021; it brought it up to 1.023 when I did this. I waited about 24 hours to make sure it was stable then I did it again to get it to 1.025. I added the water back into the sump so it would get circulated a little faster.