Jordan12327
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So I just set up a saltwater tank yesterday and the salinity was at 1.23 now its reading lower then recommended should I add more salt in or what help would be much appreciated
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Jordan12327
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I'm using a hydrometer and it was right where it need to be last night I just don't wanna add more if the hydrometer is reading wrong
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Jordan12327
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Its was at 1.023 last night before I went to bed now it's like 1.o19
Dom
Full Time Reef Keeper
Ok... here is the thing with salt...
Your salt reading is a ratio. It is the amount of salt in the tank in relation to the amount of water. But remember, while water evaporates, salt does NOT evaporate.
So while the amount of water in the tank changes, the amount of salt stays the same. When water evaporates, the ratio of salt to water changes.
So as water evaporates, salt readings will go up. And when you add water, salt readings go down.
Do you use an auto top off with your tank?
The changes in your readings could be related to:
1. Using a hydrometer, which can give inaccurate numbers due to things such as air bubbles trapped on the arm.
2. Not giving enough time for the salt you've added to thoroughly mix in the tank.
I would suggest using a refractometer: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/refractometer-for-reading-salinity-with-calibration-fluid.html
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Jordan12327
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Water in 5 gallon buckets half cup of mix per gallon and it never said to calibrate hydrometer but I didn't premixed the salt for hours like recommended cause I dont plan on adding any fish until everything cycled for a couple weeks so i mixed until most resolved and added it in the tank cause it should mix properly overnight I've been told
What Hydromiter are you using?
What salt mix and did you follow the directions?
Temperature will alter the salinity.
Did your temp change?
Evaporation will do the same. But your salinity will increase with evaporation.
Yes just add your salt mix slowly give it an hour at minimum to homogenize
What salt mix and did you follow the directions?
Temperature will alter the salinity.
Did your temp change?
Evaporation will do the same. But your salinity will increase with evaporation.
Yes just add your salt mix slowly give it an hour at minimum to homogenize
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Jordan12327
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Well that's what did just quick mixed in buckets and poured it in knowing it would cycle I've just gotten mixed views with hydrometer not knowing whether or not its correct or the salinity is just lower that everything is mixed properly
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Jordan12327
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Well now that you say something about temperature the water was warmer then it is now I justed plugged my heater in this morning I set it up last night should I let the water reach its temp then adjust the salinity?
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Jordan12327
New Member
Fluval hydrometer
Yes temprature will effect the salinity.
It is best to start off as you intend to operate the tank.
Whatever equipment you have I recomend to use it.
Lighting well up to you but the bacteria do not need it to grow.
You want everything Stable as can be and as if it had live stock.
Have you researched the Nitrogen cycle?
What cycling method are you using?
It is best to start off as you intend to operate the tank.
Whatever equipment you have I recomend to use it.
Lighting well up to you but the bacteria do not need it to grow.
You want everything Stable as can be and as if it had live stock.
Have you researched the Nitrogen cycle?
What cycling method are you using?
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Jordan12327
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There a way we could maybe exchange numbers and I could explain it better but I'm using a fluval 207 box filter 100 watt heater a water circulator along with a 30 in coral life led light I'm new to the saltwater aquarium I've done plenty of freshwater tanks in the past but I've always wanted to get in the hobby but I couldn't really go all out with auto fill and higher end filters just incase I'm not successful with it |
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Jordan12327
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I dont exchange personal info sorry.
The API kits will work for cycling.
Mark your vials so you dont mix them up.
Use the same one for the same test every time.
Clean after each test with RO/DI water.
Follow the directions for the best accuracy.
Cycling is not that hard.
Fish in. I dont like
This is when you add all your substrate and bottled bacteria and a fish.
Fish less I like
This is when you add your bottled bacteria and Ammonia.
Dont over do the ammonia
Live rock a bottle of bacteria and a fish.
Please do your research so you know what to do and expect.
Cycling for Fresh or Salt is the same so if your experienced in fresh this should be a no brainer.
The API kits will work for cycling.
Mark your vials so you dont mix them up.
Use the same one for the same test every time.
Clean after each test with RO/DI water.
Follow the directions for the best accuracy.
Cycling is not that hard.
Fish in. I dont like
This is when you add all your substrate and bottled bacteria and a fish.
Fish less I like
This is when you add your bottled bacteria and Ammonia.
Dont over do the ammonia
Live rock a bottle of bacteria and a fish.
Please do your research so you know what to do and expect.
Cycling for Fresh or Salt is the same so if your experienced in fresh this should be a no brainer.
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Jordan12327
New Member
Alright I just wanna say thanks you've been a huge help to shed some light on my problem enjoy your day thanks a bunch
WVNed
The fish are staring at me with hungry eyes.
If you mix 1/2 cup per gallon of almost any salt mix it will result in a 1.023 reading.
Your hydrometer is calibrated for 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
So you are not far off.
Most of us now keep our tanks at a slightly higher salinity like 1.025 to 1.026.
1.023 is a leftover from when people only kept fish in their tanks.
Was the tank dry when you added this water or had you perhaps rinsed the gravel and things to go in it?
I use a cheap plastic hydrometer. Always have. It works fine. Always remember to knock it to get the bubbles off when you fill it with water. If you don't it will usually read ridiculously high and remind you to do it.
The test kit you have requires some practice to use. The trick is to always make the drops the same size, count them accurately and get them into the water sample and not down the side of the test tube.
Get your salinity correct now. Add a small amount of salt at a time to make it go up and take out a bit of the water and replace it with freshwater to make it go down.
Make a mark on the tank that is you running water level and get in the habit of always filling it to that mark once or twice a day to replace evaporation.
Only check your salinity when the water is at that mark.
This system was started with exactly the same stuff you are using.
Your hydrometer is calibrated for 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
So you are not far off.
Most of us now keep our tanks at a slightly higher salinity like 1.025 to 1.026.
1.023 is a leftover from when people only kept fish in their tanks.
Was the tank dry when you added this water or had you perhaps rinsed the gravel and things to go in it?
I use a cheap plastic hydrometer. Always have. It works fine. Always remember to knock it to get the bubbles off when you fill it with water. If you don't it will usually read ridiculously high and remind you to do it.
The test kit you have requires some practice to use. The trick is to always make the drops the same size, count them accurately and get them into the water sample and not down the side of the test tube.
Get your salinity correct now. Add a small amount of salt at a time to make it go up and take out a bit of the water and replace it with freshwater to make it go down.
Make a mark on the tank that is you running water level and get in the habit of always filling it to that mark once or twice a day to replace evaporation.
Only check your salinity when the water is at that mark.
This system was started with exactly the same stuff you are using.
