Complete water change once cycling complete?

[JamesTh]

Hi,

so I’m currently cycling my first reef tank (Fluval evo 60 litres); exciting times!

so when i dosed my first batch of salt then i realised afterwards that I’ve messed up my quantities slightly (first lesson learnt!), so the tank parms are slightly out of kilter. Would you recommend that once my cycle is complete that i do the salt accurately, and do say a 95% water change so that my tank starts off on the right foot, or should i I try to adjust the existing water parms via dosing, please?

many thanks,

James

 

[exnisstech]

Having salinity at the correct level is step number 1. There is no dosing salt. You mix it with rodi water and put the water in the tank. Saltwater should be mixed in a seperate container using a powerhead or some type of device to keep the water moving to dissolve the salt not added directly to the tank.

 

[brclark82]

How far off is your salinity? You could probably just do a smaller water change with rodi water or a high salinity mix to fix it without going to 95%

 

[JamesTh]

How far off is your salinity? You could probably just do a smaller water change with rodi water or a high salinity mix to fix it without going to 95%

Hmm, slightly high at 37.4 currently. That’s a good idea, I’ll take some tank water out and add Rodi water, to get the salinity correct. Thank you!

 

[PotatoPig]

Sorry if you already know this, but on a related topic: When you top up water to compensate for evaporation you always use RODI water. If you use salt water the salinity in your tank will start to increase.

 

[JamesTh]

Sorry if you already know this, but on a related topic: When you top up water to compensate for evaporation you always use RODI water. If you use salt water the salinity in your tank will start to increase.

Thank you, i did know, but always worth being reminded

 

[mtraylor]

Get yourself a refractometer to save yourself some issues. Do not rely on salinity probe for salinity in the aquarium. I would not do a 95% water change. I think that would be a waste. You can fix salinity with a small water change.

I think it would also be a good idea for you to post what your tank dimensions are and size. Would help get better advice.

 

[JamesTh]

Get yourself a refractometer to save yourself some issues. Do not rely on salinity probe for salinity in the aquarium. I would not do a 95% water change. I think that would be a waste. You can fix salinity with a small water change.

I think it would also be a good idea for you to post what your tank dimensions are and size. Would help get better advice.

Thanks for this info, I currently use the hanna salinity checker is that ok to use, please? It’s a 14.5 gallon tank, so not very big at all!

 

[mtraylor]

I have no experience with hanna salinity checker, so you will have to wait for others to chime in. Oh ok. 14.5 gallon tank is nice small and manageable. I still would not do a 95% water change. You can easily do a 50% water change and make the corrections you need with the mixed water since its so small.