water change questions...

franv · 11/25/2006, 05:27 PM

1. my salinity is at 1.023 i would like to raise it to 1.024
how slowly should this be done?
is the best way to do this by replacing 10% weekly with a salinity of 1024 or could i do a 10 % wc with a salinity of 1.026 ....or would this shock the system?

so far ive only got snails, hermits and a blennie

2. also im using tap water (aged for a week) with a ph 7. should i add bread soda to raise the ph to the same as the tank?? the substrate is argonite so the tanks ph is 8

thanks in advance for your help

drummereef · 11/25/2006, 05:33 PM

You'll be able to raise it that much with one water change with no problems. Just mix the salt a little on the high side and do the change. 10% weekly changes are fairly standard.

You should be testing for alkalinity. 8-11dkh is what you should aim for. The pH can be raised by more aeration in the tank and letting fresh air into your house. The aragonite has minimal effect on buffering and/or pH value.

I would suggest an RO/DI, but you live in Ireland, so I don't really know what the water source is like there.

U2 ROCK ON!!!

prugs · 11/25/2006, 05:38 PM

A 10% water change of 1.026 won't hurt. You can also use mixed saltwater for your top off water. Then as the water slowly evaporates the salinity increases. Stop topping of with saltwater when the salinity reaches 1.024.
The salt mix will raise the PH, I wouldn't use soda.

franv · 11/25/2006, 05:45 PM

wow ... thanks for your quick response s ....id love an ro system but im renting a 1 be d flat (apt) so i cant really go plumbing.

the alkalinity is 9 in my tank ... not sure about my tap..

redmonkey0019 · 11/25/2006, 08:37 PM

sure you can plumb

I did it in a rented apartment for over a year, then when I moved out, just made it look the same as when I moved in. No one will notice =) ps....not responible if you do get caught though hehe!

danch · 11/25/2006, 09:05 PM

There are some RO units that will attach to the faucet, IIRC. No plumbing needed!

11/25/2006, 05:27 PM	#1
franv Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: ireland Posts: 182	water change questions... 1. my salinity is at 1.023 i would like to raise it to 1.024 how slowly should this be done? is the best way to do this by replacing 10% weekly with a salinity of 1024 or could i do a 10 % wc with a salinity of 1.026 ....or would this shock the system? so far ive only got snails, hermits and a blennie 2. also im using tap water (aged for a week) with a ph 7. should i add bread soda to raise the ph to the same as the tank?? the substrate is argonite so the tanks ph is 8 thanks in advance for your help

11/25/2006, 05:33 PM	#2
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	You'll be able to raise it that much with one water change with no problems. Just mix the salt a little on the high side and do the change. 10% weekly changes are fairly standard. You should be testing for alkalinity. 8-11dkh is what you should aim for. The pH can be raised by more aeration in the tank and letting fresh air into your house. The aragonite has minimal effect on buffering and/or pH value. I would suggest an RO/DI, but you live in Ireland, so I don't really know what the water source is like there. U2 ROCK ON!!! __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

11/25/2006, 05:38 PM	#3
prugs Moving Out Join Date: May 2003 Location: San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 Posts: 4,898	A 10% water change of 1.026 won't hurt. You can also use mixed saltwater for your top off water. Then as the water slowly evaporates the salinity increases. Stop topping of with saltwater when the salinity reaches 1.024. The salt mix will raise the PH, I wouldn't use soda. __________________ A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words. Current Tank Info: Getting rid of the last equipment :{

11/25/2006, 09:05 PM	#6
danch Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 614	There are some RO units that will attach to the faucet, IIRC. No plumbing needed! __________________ Asking dumb questions since '06! Or, a dumby asking questions since '06! Current Tank Info: 29G FW, 75G LPSing

11/25/2006, 05:45 PM	#4
franv Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: ireland Posts: 182	wow ... thanks for your quick response s ....id love an ro system but im renting a 1 be d flat (apt) so i cant really go plumbing. the alkalinity is 9 in my tank ... not sure about my tap..

11/25/2006, 08:37 PM	#5
redmonkey0019 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Auburn University, AL Posts: 149	sure you can plumb I did it in a rented apartment for over a year, then when I moved out, just made it look the same as when I moved in. No one will notice =) ps....not responible if you do get caught though hehe!