Salinity correction

[puffster]

Well, due to an out of cal. refractometer, my tank water is now sitting at 1.030/40ppt...Check your equipment people, I am your example. So, to bring it back down, what ratio should I use doing a water change. I am only doing 30 gallons to a 150 gallon display. So would say, a mix of 30ppm water bring it down enough or should I dilute it a tad more.

Thanks!

Ernie

 

[legrunt]

I wouldn't suggest anything drastic. ie, don't expect to correct this with one water change. Just continue doing your water change with water at the correct salinity and let the salinity slowly get to correct over several changes...

 

[puffster]

Yes, slowly. Because I have been having a small bundle of problems for quite some time and I believe this to be the root of it all...makes sense for the problems I have bee having. Thing is, I've been doing water changes to try to solve these problems over time but I have inadvertently been doing more harm than good. Although this folly I have stumbled with, I am thankful that I caught it before I had a total wipe-out. Always could have been worse...

 

[Auquanut]

My 125 DT got to 1.03 when I had a AWC malfunction. I brought it back down over a period of about a week by removing water from the sump and letting the ATO replace it. I didn't make any adjustments to my water change SG. Just a thought.

 

[puffster]

Yes, as with this hobby we don't want to shock the our systems.

 

[Larry L]

My 125 DT got to 1.03 when I had a AWC malfunction. I brought it back down over a period of about a week by removing water from the sump and letting the ATO replace it. I didn't make any adjustments to my water change SG. Just a thought.

Yes, this ^^^

 

[PatW]

If my salinity gets off, I correct it gradually.

If it is a bit low, I add some saltwater. But I add less than a normal auto top off amount. Doing this brings it in line pretty quickly.

If the salinity is high, I remove some salt water but less than a normal auto top off amount and let the ATO add the RODI to correct.

Generally, small adjustments can be made pretty safely. Fish can take a pretty big move.

Inverts are more sensitive and like slow adjustments.

 

[ccombs]

I did what @Auquanut did as well. Remove salt water and let RODI replace it slowly.

 

[puffster]

Ok, took advice and corrected with FW top-off from removing SW...took 20 gallons and three days and everyone is happy once again. Thanks everyone! This is why we have forums, Stop, put head on fire out, get quantitative advice...breathe in breathe out, problem solved.