Salinity level

BoogieTimeWithJiggets · Jun 25, 2019

Hi so I've been running a tank for about a year and a half. I buy all my water from the local fish store. However after so many issues between algae and die offs. I sorta got disheartened and let the tank go for several months doing minimal maintenance and just feeding the 2 clowns and tang left. Those guys have been real champs. Well I decided to dive in deeper creating testing schedule to stick to and to to revive the tank. However after testing the water I found that most level's were fine. (I dont have a phosphate test) but my salinity was barely 1.021. So I checked my buckets that the store filled up with 2 different refractometer. And got the same rresults. Is this normal or should I call the fish store. Through reading I though it should be 1.025 at least.

I dont really have the osmosis setup to do my own water but I'm starting to think relying on the lfs for water might be the source of most of my issues now..?

Reefnoobz90 · Jun 25, 2019

Could be, have you calibrated your refractometer to rule that out?

Get yourself a phosphate checker, next to all that's an important one.

https://clearchoiceaquatics.com/col...1/products/ultra-low-range-phosphate-checker®

BoogieTimeWithJiggets · Jun 25, 2019

Reefnoobz90 said:
Could be, have you calibrated your refractometer to rule that out?

Get yourself a phosphate checker, next to all that's an important one.

https://clearchoiceaquatics.com/col...1/products/ultra-low-range-phosphate-checker®

I thought it might be the calibration so I used to different ones using both fresh rodi water that I use for top off and it showed right on 0. And then did the salt with same results.
I'll take a look at that phosphate checker thanks.

Reefnoobz90 · Jun 25, 2019

You could add salt to the LFS water but that kinda defeats the purpose of buying it. I'd give them a call and see what they say

joseserrano · Jun 25, 2019

You could be buying water they make for fish only tanks. I would ask/clarify.

KrisReef · Jun 25, 2019

But a bag of salt and bring up the salinity in the store water.

JustAnt · Jun 25, 2019

BoogieTimeWithJiggets said:
Hi so I've been running a tank for about a year and a half. I buy all my water from the local fish store. However after so many issues between algae and die offs. I sorta got disheartened and let the tank go for several months doing minimal maintenance and just feeding the 2 clowns and tang left. Those guys have been real champs. Well I decided to dive in deeper creating testing schedule to stick to and to to revive the tank. However after testing the water I found that most level's were fine. (I dont have a phosphate test) but my salinity was barely 1.021. So I checked my buckets that the store filled up with 2 different refractometer. And got the same rresults. Is this normal or should I call the fish store. Through reading I though it should be 1.025 at least.

I dont really have the osmosis setup to do my own water but I'm starting to think relying on the lfs for water might be the source of most of my issues now..?

I had started with water from my local fish store. When I had some problems I figured it was there water. I asked them about there water they said it was just RO water not RODI and they could not tell me how old the membrane for the RO unit was. Needless to say I stopped buying water and got me the best #BRS RODI system. I’m glad I spent that money of the RODI system. I now know I’m starting with pure water, no more lugging jugs back and forth from LFS, And in the long run I think it’s cheaper to make your own water.

scott11106 · Jun 25, 2019

save money and get a RO/DI and you will save alot of time and maybe your back. let us know what the LFS says?

BoogieTimeWithJiggets · Jun 25, 2019

scott11106 said:
save money and get a RO/DI and you will save alot of time and maybe your back. let us know what the LFS says?

I'm going back there today I'll let ya know

Sailingeric · Jun 25, 2019

Also use calibration fluid instead of rodi.

Hemmdog · Jun 25, 2019

You still need to calibrate with calibration solution RODI doesn’t work. Like stated above get a RODI unit, or if they sell RODI, lug jugs, I still do.. and I’m running over 160 gals in my condo in reefs.

BoogieTimeWithJiggets · Jun 25, 2019

So looks like my results were spot on I asked the fish store and they said they keep their salinity at 1.021 which is what I was getting so I'll probably buy some good salt to mix in the buckets I currently have and then break down and buy an rodi unit and start mixing my own.

scott11106 · Jun 26, 2019

BoogieTimeWithJiggets said:
So looks like my results were spot on I asked the fish store and they said they keep their salinity at 1.021 which is what I was getting so I'll probably buy some good salt to mix in the buckets I currently have and then break down and buy an rodi unit and start mixing my own.

sounds like a good plan, keep us posted

tbare89 · Jun 26, 2019

plus one to buy your own RO/DI unit. You can get used BRS ones for under 100. Your store is probably trying to save money with the lower salinty. 1.021 is fine for FOWLR but not for reef.

JustAnt · Jun 26, 2019

tbare89 said:
plus one to buy your own RO/DI unit. You can get used BRS ones for under 100. Your store is probably trying to save money with the lower salinty. 1.021 is fine for FOWLR but not for reef.

Exactly

JustAnt · Jun 26, 2019

Also test the magnesium of the store water. if it’s low in mag you can add mag to get it up to the correct mag parameters and this will increase the salinity

BoogieTimeWithJiggets · Jul 9, 2019

So decided to finally just do my own. Going to get theaquatic life 4stage twist rodi and some fritz reef salt.

jaxredsoxfan · Jul 9, 2019

I think you'll be happier in the long run doing it yourself. I always feel I want to have the control on whats happening in the tank.

Silver14SS · Jul 9, 2019

What's your zip code? If on city water, you may want to review the public water report first to determine what kind of RODI would be best. Some places use chloramines, some chlorine, and they require different filters.

What size is your tank and how much water do you think you'll need? The AquaticLife is budget friendly, but you may be better off spending more to start with on a system more suited to your situation and with one that doesn't require proprietary filter cartridges.

Neo Jeo · Jul 9, 2019

My calibration solution by Brightwells was wrong... They said it happens.... I now just use RODI water to calibrate. If you cant trust a solution made to calibrate then I will trust water lol