Salinity for cycling and adding fish

[mta_morrow]

I will begin cycling my tank soon. I will be using ATI and BioSpira bacteria and dosing ammonia. Same process as my 1st tank.

I have a couple questions.

What is the minimum to have salinity at for cycling? I ask because there is no reason to waste salt if I don’t have too.

And that leads to question 2. I will be adding fish first. And typically salinity is much lower than 1.026. So I would like to keep the tank around, let’s say 1.020 while I am adding fish.

Then, mid spring, a friend will be bringing my coral down to me from Ohio. A few weeks prior to that, I would like to begin slowly raising my salinity back up to 1.025-1.026.

Anyone see any issues with that?

Thanks!

 

[Crabs McJones]

I will begin cycling my tank soon. I will be using ATI and BioSpira bacteria and dosing ammonia. Same process as my 1st tank.

I have a couple questions.

What is the minimum to have salinity at for cycling? I ask because there is no reason to waste salt if I don’t have too.

And that leads to question 2. I will be adding fish first. And typically salinity is much lower than 1.026. So I would like to keep the tank around, let’s say 1.020 while I am adding fish.

Then, mid spring, a friend will be bringing my coral down to me from Ohio. A few weeks prior to that, I would like to begin slowly raising my salinity back up to 1.025-1.026.

Anyone see any issues with that?

Thanks!

As long as your salinity is anywhere between 1.023 and 1.026 for fish you'll be fine. When you are looking to add corals you'll want to slowly raise it up to the 1.026.

 

[James Moreno]

I will begin cycling my tank soon. I will be using ATI and BioSpira bacteria and dosing ammonia. Same process as my 1st tank.

I have a couple questions.

What is the minimum to have salinity at for cycling? I ask because there is no reason to waste salt if I don’t have too.

And that leads to question 2. I will be adding fish first. And typically salinity is much lower than 1.026. So I would like to keep the tank around, let’s say 1.020 while I am adding fish.

Then, mid spring, a friend will be bringing my coral down to me from Ohio. A few weeks prior to that, I would like to begin slowly raising my salinity back up to 1.025-1.026.

Anyone see any issues with that?

Thanks!

IMO 1.020 is low for fish and why not just keep the salinity at 1.025 ?

 

[mta_morrow]

As long as your salinity is anywhere between 1.023 and 1.026 for fish you'll be fine. When you are looking to add corals you'll want to slowly raise it up to the 1.026.

Thanks Crabs. Wasn’t sure how low was safe for fish.

 

[mta_morrow]

IMO 1.020 is low for fish and why not just keep the salinity at 1.025 ?

Hi James. Couple reasons for asking. 1 is to simply save on salt. I will be doing a lot of water changes at the beginning for nutrient control.

Second is because fish are typically sent in lower salinity water. Acclimation is less stressful if I only have to raise salinity a point or two. And since I won’t be adding corals until I get some stability, I’m thinking it’s a good idea.

Thanks for your input

 

[James Moreno]

Hi James. Couple reasons for asking. 1 is to simply save on salt. I will be doing a lot of water changes at the beginning for nutrient control.

Second is because fish are typically sent in lower salinity water. Acclimation is less stressful if I only have to raise salinity a point or two. And since I won’t be adding corals until I get some stability, I’m thinking it’s a good idea.
Thanks for your input

I understand!

 

[mjlash22]

Most recommendations I have found say anywhere from 1.021 to 1.026. The lower being fish only and the higher being when you add corals. I have my fish only tank at 1.025 even though I don't have corals.