Low Salinity

bradley@ironwolfmetals · Jul 12, 2015

After a water change tonight, my salinity is hanging out around 1.021. I was told at the LFS that my levels should be around 1.024-1.026. My tank and sump are pretty full so adding saltwater is not an option tonight. Is it going to be okay to wait till tomorrow and the next couple days to add saltwater after the evaporation process happens? Corals are all opening nicely after the change and the fish are swimming around normally.

Thanks!

NicksMixedReef · Jul 12, 2015

It depends on how quickly the salinity changed. I had 1.021 salinity for a bit until I realized it, slowly bringing it back up to what I want. If things look okay then I'd bring them up slowly, if things look bad then definitely do a good water change.

Th3D0n · Jul 12, 2015

Hello all. I am new to the forum and saltwater fish in general. I actually am experiencing the same issue in my biocube as the OP.

NicksMixedReef - How did you bring your salinity up gradually? I have tried mixing a little Instant Ocean salt and some water and pouring it into my tank as well as tried putting about a half a teaspoon of the salt directly into the back of my tank and the level hasn't changed one bit in about 6 hours. Am I doing something wrong? Or maybe I just haven't waited long enough?

NicksMixedReef · Jul 12, 2015

Did water changes every two days and put a little too much water in so it would gradually raise.

LetItReef · Jul 12, 2015

It will be fine until tomorrow. Also you do not have to wait for the evaporation, you can siphon some water our from the tank and replace it with a new mix.

Th3D0n · Jul 12, 2015

Thanks for the reply. I currently don't have the fish that came with the tank in the water since the salinity is low. I am afraid of keeping them in the bucket for too long. Think that I could put them in the tank with the salinity only at 1.020? Also, another issue I am having is that my apartment is pretty warm during the summer and my tank with currently at 81 degrees with the heater completely off. Will that damage my fish as well?

LetItReef · Jul 12, 2015

@ th3d0n I suggest wait atleast two hours (Instant ocean) to mix salt then add to your tank.

Th3D0n · Jul 12, 2015

@LetItReef I have added about 1 full teaspoon of Instant Ocean to the tank and it has been definitely longer than 2 hours. I just not tested the water and I am BARELY just now over 1.020. Should I just let it go overnight and check it in the morning? Also, should I wait to add the fish for one more day (they are still in a bucket where they have been for 2 days now)?

LetItReef · Jul 12, 2015

Do Not add directly to the tank. On a seperate container/bucket have a small heater and a small powerhead and for me a gallon of distilled and 1 cup with Instant ocean runs about 1.024. I usually mix it overnight but if I need it asap two hours is ok.
I also suggest to use a Refractrometer not Hydrometer when testing Salinity.

LetItReef · Jul 12, 2015

1.019- 1.020 Fish
Shrimp and Corals 1.023-1.025

Th3D0n · Jul 12, 2015

@LetItReef - Thanks for the followup. I have been wanting to get a refractometer but my LFS was out of stock and I haven't been able to order one yet so I have been stuck using the hydrometer for the moment. Maybe I just end up giving the fish to my LFS until I get my tank right?

LetItReef · Jul 12, 2015

Check out Amazon.com for Refractrometer usually ship within the following day with Prime account.
Ask your LFS to house your fish and get it back once your tank set on salinity.

Th3D0n · Jul 12, 2015

Thanks again! And any thoughts or suggestions on the temp? The temp of my water is holding at right around 80-81 without the heater even on. I don't have the tank near a window or anything but it is just warm in my apartment.

Paulday · Jul 12, 2015

Temp is ok. 84. Is where I would worry. Salinity. .20 is fine for fish. Just drip acclimate to bucket for a hour and let them be free. Over next week take some water out. And add some in. Until u get salinity where u want it

Lynn52 · Jul 13, 2015

Low salinity won't hurt your fish, certainly not at 1.021. I QT my fish in low salinity to prevent ich from getting into my tank. That is at 1.009.
When I raise my salinity I remove about a gallon of low salinity water from the tank and replace it with normal salt water. It takes a while. You always want to raise it slowly.

Downbeach · Jul 13, 2015

I would acclimate the fish as you would before adding them to any tank, they can tolerate a decrease in SG better than an increase. Going forward, the best way to elevate your SG would be to use freshly made SW @ 1.026 as your top off to replace evaporation, until you get your SG back to where you want it, then go back to plain RO/DI water.

Th3D0n · Jul 13, 2015

Excellent! Thanks again everyone. Now I just need to figure out how to get my temp down in this hot apartment without having to run my super expensive and horribly inefficient A/C. LOL!