Odd situation

[Dunkleosteus]

So I work at a fish store and I've been trying to start up a saltwater tank, and I just so happened to have a customer wonder if I'd take his 20g reef tank and I jumped at the opportunity. Everything included (livestock, rock, maintenance) I was just wondering if I could get some help with the scaling of salt and water mixture for such a small tank. I'll be picking up the tank in about a week and I'd like to learn as much as possible about maintenance. I've heard that you can't keep your tank in an inconsistent room temp, or that you shouldn't keep it by a window. I was also looking for a few tips or tricks that you've gathered. Anyone able to help?

 

[Jekyl]

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[mdb_talon]

I am sure many here are always willing to help, but i got to say i laughed a little that you work at a fish store and came to the internet for help...does not sound like much faith in your coworkers lol.

Not sure what you really mean by the "scaling" of saltwater mixture for that size tank. Does not matter the size of the tank you need to mix to a specific salinity. How much salt/gallon depends somewhat on the mix you use not just one answer. In any case need a refractometer or hydrometer to confirm salinity. Or with such a small tank buying premixed water also probably makes a lot of sense just more hassle in long run.

The temp of the room makes little difference unless it is hitting extreme temps(ie less than 60 or 85+). Otherwise a small heater/controller will do a fine job of keeping temp where u need it.

The window is fine if it is just ambient light coming in. If it gets direct unfiltered sunlight it can cause issues.

 

[Dunkleosteus]

I am sure many here are always willing to help, but i got to say i laughed a little that you work at a fish store and came to the internet for help...does not sound like much faith in your coworkers lol.

Not sure what you really mean by the "scaling" of saltwater mixture for that size tank. Does not matter the size of the tank you need to mix to a specific salinity. How much salt/gallon depends somewhat on the mix you use not just one answer. In any case need a refractometer or hydrometer to confirm salinity. Or with such a small tank buying premixed water also probably makes a lot of sense just more hassle in long run.

The temp of the room makes little difference unless it is hitting extreme temps(ie less than 60 or 85+). Otherwise a small heater/controller will do a fine job of keeping temp where u need it.

The window is fine if it is just ambient light coming in. If it gets direct unfiltered sunlight it can cause issues.

The thing is that I'm away this week and I only have three shifts a week. I've used this app before and I always get great responses and alot of help. I had just come back from work when I posted this and today no saltwater experts were in today and this was my last shift for a week lol. I'll have to get a refractometer if he doesn't already have one for me, the dosing is the only thing that concerns me now that you mentioned the location shouldn't matter too much. You say on certain boxes of premixed salt is says dosage?

 

[mdb_talon]

The thing is that I'm away this week and I only have three shifts a week. I've used this app before and I always get great responses and alot of help. I had just come back from work when I posted this and today no saltwater experts were in today and this was my last shift for a week lol. I'll have to get a refractometer if he doesn't already have one for me, the dosing is the only thing that concerns me now that you mentioned the location shouldn't matter too much. You say on certain boxes of premixed salt is says dosage?

Yup the box/bucket will tell you how many cups of salt per gallon. Just always best to confirm it is right with refractometer. Would not worry too much about dosing unless it has a lot of sps/lps packed into a 20g and its all growing well(it likely wont be after stress of move). Test alkalinity and measure how much it drops per day and between water changes and if it is dropping significantly then you going to want to look into dosing.