Raising salinity

10GalReef · 05/03/2016, 08:39 AM

I'm sitting at 1.023.. I would like to get back up to 1.026. I plan on adding corals in a few weeks.
I have a bucket mixing up at 1.026..should I go ahead and do a 15% water change? Or will this raise the salinity too quickly?
Phosphates at 0.25. Is that too high? I want to do the water change tomorrow. Could it hold off till then?
My clown seems happy he's eating like a pig.
Will be cutting back on dry food when I pick up mysis.

GimpyFin · 05/03/2016, 09:37 AM

You could do a small water change with 1.026 water and it will probably only take you up to 1.024 which is fine. Then over the next couple days you could do the same thing only just take a little existing tank water and mix some salt in with that (Just enough to maybe raise it another point) until you are at 1.026.

Sk8r · 05/03/2016, 09:44 AM

Don't rush into the coral setup until you have your water ready: for stony, set it at 420 calcium, 1350 magnesium, and 8.3 alk: set the mg first, then alk, then cal. Keep phosphates and nitrates down very, very low.

jason2459 · 05/03/2016, 09:44 AM

I would just switch to that saltwater at 1.026 for top off instead of freshwater. It will slowly over the next couple weeks raise it to where you want it safely. I'd also continue with what ever normal water change schedule you plan to do. Once you hit your desired salinity levels switch back to freshwater for top off.

10GalReef · 05/03/2016, 10:06 AM

Ok that's what I'll do.. small water change and top off with salt water. Thanks
I only want softies but I'm in no rush.

Mark9 · 05/03/2016, 10:27 AM

I wouldn't touch the ato.
Just add a 1/2 gallon or a gallon of sw a day until you reach your target.
Evaporation is your friend when raising salinity.

snorvich · 05/03/2016, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason2459

I would just switch to that saltwater at 1.026 for top off instead of freshwater. It will slowly over the next couple weeks raise it to where you want it safely. I'd also continue with what ever normal water change schedule you plan to do. Once you hit your desired salinity levels switch back to freshwater for top off.

What he said.

05/03/2016, 08:39 AM	#1
10GalReef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Montreal, QC Posts: 41	Raising salinity I'm sitting at 1.023.. I would like to get back up to 1.026. I plan on adding corals in a few weeks. I have a bucket mixing up at 1.026..should I go ahead and do a 15% water change? Or will this raise the salinity too quickly? Phosphates at 0.25. Is that too high? I want to do the water change tomorrow. Could it hold off till then? My clown seems happy he's eating like a pig. Will be cutting back on dry food when I pick up mysis. Last edited by 10GalReef; 05/03/2016 at 08:52 AM.

05/03/2016, 09:44 AM	#3
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Don't rush into the coral setup until you have your water ready: for stony, set it at 420 calcium, 1350 magnesium, and 8.3 alk: set the mg first, then alk, then cal. Keep phosphates and nitrates down very, very low. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

05/03/2016, 09:44 AM	#4
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	I would just switch to that saltwater at 1.026 for top off instead of freshwater. It will slowly over the next couple weeks raise it to where you want it safely. I'd also continue with what ever normal water change schedule you plan to do. Once you hit your desired salinity levels switch back to freshwater for top off. __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank

05/03/2016, 09:37 AM	#2
GimpyFin Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,032	You could do a small water change with 1.026 water and it will probably only take you up to 1.024 which is fine. Then over the next couple days you could do the same thing only just take a little existing tank water and mix some salt in with that (Just enough to maybe raise it another point) until you are at 1.026.

05/03/2016, 10:06 AM	#5
10GalReef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Montreal, QC Posts: 41	Ok that's what I'll do.. small water change and top off with salt water. Thanks I only want softies but I'm in no rush.

05/03/2016, 10:27 AM	#6
Mark9 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,497	I wouldn't touch the ato. Just add a 1/2 gallon or a gallon of sw a day until you reach your target. Evaporation is your friend when raising salinity.