Salinity 1.021 to 1.0225

Cream · 09/30/2007, 06:42 PM

Hi All,
Yesterday I did a water change and decided to increase the level of salinity. Now the fishes are breathing heavily and very sensitive to my movements. I think i increased the salinity too fast. What should i do now?

FYI- I increased the salinity because i purchased a cleaner shrimp and a crab. I read the parameter for those bottomfeeders were from 1.023-1.025.

Please help.. Thanks

demonsp · 09/30/2007, 06:46 PM

1 degree would not be enough for this. But if you added the new water to the tank to fast this could cause shock. Removeing water dont matter time wise. But whene adding the new batch be sure its circulated well and add at a slow rate so tank adjusts.

MTB · 09/30/2007, 06:52 PM

Did the PH in the new water match the tank water? And did the temp match? Sounds like shock but from what I don't know.

Cream · 09/30/2007, 06:53 PM

so at this time, there's nothing i could do but prey they'll adjust to the new salinity?

demonsp · 09/30/2007, 06:58 PM

I dont think its the salinity. but how fast it changed. Need to add new batch slow like over 20 or 30 minutes. And depending on the salt you use then 4 to 24 hours of mixing before adding to the tank.
Unless you have another tank you can put the fish in then yes praying may help.

demonsp · 09/30/2007, 07:03 PM

Im sorry looks like you went 4 points up. Either way slowly adding does help but not sure about that much of a change.

Cream · 09/30/2007, 07:15 PM

Thanks for the info guys... .I guess i just gotta pray n see. Meanwhile I added some API stress coat and gave them some food. they are eating agrressively though.

MTB · 09/30/2007, 07:28 PM

The fish eatting is a good sign. I hope they all pull through for you.

Adam G · 09/30/2007, 07:49 PM

I don't think a one point swing would phase your fish at all. Perhaps for a few minutes, but a little varation is perfectly normal.

You are probably out of the woods by now, but if you continue to have issues, check your other parameters such as temp, PH etc. A small swing in salt level shouldn't phase them for more 10 minutes.

xenon · 09/30/2007, 08:47 PM

Fish cant handle more than .01 - .02 increase in salinity per day. If you increase it too fast they will have trouble breathing.

You can decrease much more rapidly.

Reefer07 · 09/30/2007, 09:23 PM

I know salt helps raise the PH which is why you mix a day before you plan to do a water change but I am assuming my aragonite is helping raise the PH somewhat too.
My question is when I mix water for a WC how do I make sure that the PH will be the same as I am putting in the tank?
I just setup my tank yesturday and the PH is about 8-8.2

Cream · 09/30/2007, 10:54 PM

My PH was off for sure. PH went down to 7.7 from 8.1. I should've left it for a day before adding it to the tank... Another rookie's mistake. But could that also put them into shock?

So it's the timing of the water change (changed from 1.021 to 1.023 within 30 minutes) or/and the PH. Any solutions now?

Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate is w.in the range.

Reefer07 · 10/01/2007, 11:28 AM

That is a huge PH jump/shock for them...even for FW fish that would be a big change. That is probably your main problem and at this point I would just leave it. Unless anyone has any other ideas of what you can do.

Cream · 10/01/2007, 04:52 PM

Ok. so it's definitely the ph and Alkinity that caused the shock. Luckily, they survived the night.... They are much better now but the tank is cloudy. Currently, my PH is 7.9 and alkaninity is 5. I was told to do another 20-30% water change to bring back the PH up. Any suggestions? Thanks Reefer07 and all for the help.

09/30/2007, 06:42 PM	#1
Cream Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 12	Salinity 1.021 to 1.0225 Hi All, Yesterday I did a water change and decided to increase the level of salinity. Now the fishes are breathing heavily and very sensitive to my movements. I think i increased the salinity too fast. What should i do now? FYI- I increased the salinity because i purchased a cleaner shrimp and a crab. I read the parameter for those bottomfeeders were from 1.023-1.025. Please help.. Thanks

09/30/2007, 06:52 PM	#3
MTB Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Illannoy Posts: 1,365	Did the PH in the new water match the tank water? And did the temp match? Sounds like shock but from what I don't know. __________________ Got Frags? Current Tank Info: 40 breeder. Kessil lights. Reef octopus skimmer. Vortec mp40 x2.

09/30/2007, 07:28 PM	#8
MTB Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Illannoy Posts: 1,365	The fish eatting is a good sign. I hope they all pull through for you. __________________ Got Frags? Current Tank Info: 40 breeder. Kessil lights. Reef octopus skimmer. Vortec mp40 x2.

09/30/2007, 07:49 PM	#9
Adam G Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 208	I don't think a one point swing would phase your fish at all. Perhaps for a few minutes, but a little varation is perfectly normal. You are probably out of the woods by now, but if you continue to have issues, check your other parameters such as temp, PH etc. A small swing in salt level shouldn't phase them for more 10 minutes. __________________ If reefing was easy, everyone would be doing it! Current Tank Info: 150g Miracles Rimless, AI Hydra 52's, Tunzes, & tons of Anthias!

09/30/2007, 06:46 PM	#2
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	1 degree would not be enough for this. But if you added the new water to the tank to fast this could cause shock. Removeing water dont matter time wise. But whene adding the new batch be sure its circulated well and add at a slow rate so tank adjusts.

09/30/2007, 06:53 PM	#4
Cream Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 12	so at this time, there's nothing i could do but prey they'll adjust to the new salinity?

09/30/2007, 06:58 PM	#5
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	I dont think its the salinity. but how fast it changed. Need to add new batch slow like over 20 or 30 minutes. And depending on the salt you use then 4 to 24 hours of mixing before adding to the tank. Unless you have another tank you can put the fish in then yes praying may help.

09/30/2007, 07:03 PM	#6
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	Im sorry looks like you went 4 points up. Either way slowly adding does help but not sure about that much of a change.

09/30/2007, 07:15 PM	#7
Cream Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 12	Thanks for the info guys... .I guess i just gotta pray n see. Meanwhile I added some API stress coat and gave them some food. they are eating agrressively though.

09/30/2007, 08:47 PM	#10
xenon Owner of Canada Corals Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mississauga, Canada Posts: 3,148	Fish cant handle more than .01 - .02 increase in salinity per day. If you increase it too fast they will have trouble breathing. You can decrease much more rapidly.

09/30/2007, 09:23 PM	#11
Reefer07 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,090	I know salt helps raise the PH which is why you mix a day before you plan to do a water change but I am assuming my aragonite is helping raise the PH somewhat too. My question is when I mix water for a WC how do I make sure that the PH will be the same as I am putting in the tank? I just setup my tank yesturday and the PH is about 8-8.2

09/30/2007, 10:54 PM	#12
Cream Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 12	My PH was off for sure. PH went down to 7.7 from 8.1. I should've left it for a day before adding it to the tank... Another rookie's mistake. But could that also put them into shock? So it's the timing of the water change (changed from 1.021 to 1.023 within 30 minutes) or/and the PH. Any solutions now? Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate is w.in the range.

10/01/2007, 11:28 AM	#13
Reefer07 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,090	That is a huge PH jump/shock for them...even for FW fish that would be a big change. That is probably your main problem and at this point I would just leave it. Unless anyone has any other ideas of what you can do.

10/01/2007, 04:52 PM	#14
Cream Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 12	Ok. so it's definitely the ph and Alkinity that caused the shock. Luckily, they survived the night.... They are much better now but the tank is cloudy. Currently, my PH is 7.9 and alkaninity is 5. I was told to do another 20-30% water change to bring back the PH up. Any suggestions? Thanks Reefer07 and all for the help.