Salinity Changes

punkieg0 · Oct 24, 2019

Good morning,
I am picking up 2 clownfish tonight so I have kept my salinity low on my QT tank until they arrive. I plan on asking the breeder what they keep their salinity at so I can match it.
I have a jug of higher salinity water ready to go if it ends up being higher than mine. Is it best to just add in water with higher salinity to bring it up to what I need? I have never really played around with the salinity on a tank before to match an incoming fish but I am trying to do this properly.
The breeder is right in town so the travel time is short to my home so I will have a little buffer of time to get them moved over.

I just want to make sure I am doing this properly. Since there are no fish in the QT at the moment I should be able to make changes as needed. Or at least that's my thinking.
Just wanted to make sure I am on the right track with this.

Seadoc · Oct 24, 2019

I don't think that is a bad approach. I would contact the breeder way ahead of time and ask for parameters so you can adjust. Do it slowly and allow for some time for the pumps to do their work before measuring salinity after you do each correction.

punkieg0 · Oct 24, 2019

Seadoc said:
I don't think that is a bad approach. I would contact the breeder way ahead of time and ask for parameters so you can adjust. Do it slowly and allow for some time for the pumps to do their work before measuring salinity after you do each correction.

Thanks- they are not so good at answering their phones but I was going to try to reach out today.

vetteguy53081 · Oct 24, 2019

Otherwise float bag and enter a cup of tank water every 15 mins for an hour to equalize salinity and ph

Seadoc · Oct 24, 2019

vetteguy53081 said:
Otherwise float bag and enter a cup of tank water every 15 mins for an hour to equalize salinity and ph

This is way simpler and effective, as long as your current "low" salinity is acceptable for livestock.

AdamB · Oct 24, 2019

Agreed . Just float and add water is best route. I would want my salinity for my quarantine and main tank to be the same .

Idoc · Oct 24, 2019

The benefit you have here is that you stress picking the clowns up locally. You shouldn't have issues with ammonia buildup in the bag. So either of the options given should work fine for you...float the bag while you match salinity in the tank or float the bag while adding small amounts of your water to the bag to acclimate to your salinity.

I'd personally call ahead and have the tank already set to their salinity... just my preference. Then slowly bring the quarantine tank salinity up to match your DT over a few days while observing the little guys.

punkieg0 · Oct 24, 2019

Idoc said:
The benefit you have here is that you stress picking the clowns up locally. You shouldn't have issues with ammonia buildup in the bag. So either of the options given should work fine for you...float the bag while you match salinity in the tank or float the bag while adding small amounts of your water to the bag to acclimate to your salinity.

I'd personally call ahead and have the tank already set to their salinity... just my preference. Then slowly bring the quarantine tank salinity up to match your DT over a few days while observing the little guys.

Agreed! That’s the way I have always done it in the past with my old tank. Just wanting to do things the best for the fish and overall this time around. Not rushing into things like I have before

I have the salinity at 1.018 right now with enough water made up to bump it up quickly if needed.
I was reading a lot of places keep their salinity lower which is why I did this time. Hopefully they answer the phones so I know what their salinity is at the facility. It is very nice having them right here in town!

BeejReef · Oct 24, 2019

Your approach is pretty much what I do when ordering online and concerned about ammonia burn with drip acclimation.
Agree w everyone that local pickup much less problematic.

Dunno how your qt is set up... if it runs an overflow or not. Mine does not. I find it easier to reverse your process. I fill the tank about 85% with 1.025, have it running with powerheads, heat and all and just add RODI to drop the salinity to match the bags. Doubt it matters which way. In my mind, it eliminates the "undisolved salt crystal" issue.

Another minor point. I don't bother asking their salinity other than to be in a range. I put a small hole in the fish bag and just test it. Maybe their refracto is off, maybe mine is, but testing the bag and my qt myself, at least I know it's consistent.