maintaining salinity...

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by High_hopes, Oct 28, 2011.

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  1. High_hopes

    High_hopes Astrea Snail

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    I recently checked my tank for cycling and the readings came back as the ammonia has hit 0, nitrite is still around .5-1.0 the nitrate is around 20 but the salinity went up to 1.026 from 1.023.. what can I do to keep that around 1.023-1.024 or is 1.026 still safe?:confused:
     
    High_hopes, Oct 28, 2011
    High_hopes, Oct 28, 2011
    #1

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  2. reefmonkey

    reefmonkey Giant Squid

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    You'll have some evaporation. The water evaporates but the salt and other minerals stay which causes your salinity to rise. Add a bit of straight r/o water (not saltwater) to the tank and check sg until you have it back where you want it. Which by the way if you plan on a reef you will want it to be 1.025 to 1.026.

    Research Auto Top Off and begin planning to add one of some type to your system. This will bring stability and harmony to your tank plus take some work off of you.
     
    reefmonkey, Oct 28, 2011
    reefmonkey, Oct 28, 2011
    #2
  3. High_hopes

    High_hopes Astrea Snail

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    I plan on a reef but I want to work out my mistakes first. I don't want to blow a bunch of money. I am putting it piece by piece together. I'm waiting for my ro/di unit to show up. Do you have any sites that have auto-top off units?
     
    High_hopes, Oct 28, 2011
    High_hopes, Oct 28, 2011
    #3
  4. jrwoltman

    jrwoltman Skunk Shrimp

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    A range between 1.024-1.026 is optimal. The key is keeping it as stable as possible, not on one magic number. Lastly, if you do raise or lower it, do it slowly, so you don't shock your livestock.
     
    jrwoltman, Oct 28, 2011
    jrwoltman, Oct 28, 2011
    #4
  5. rocketmandb

    rocketmandb Ocellaris Clown

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    rocketmandb, Oct 30, 2011
    rocketmandb, Oct 30, 2011
    #5
  6. tom.n.day

    tom.n.day Eyelash Blennie

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    Rocketman, does this plug into a water source such as your wall or does it have a reservoir?
     
    tom.n.day, Oct 30, 2011
    tom.n.day, Oct 30, 2011
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  7. Reefing Madness

    Reefing Madness Skunk Shrimp

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    How long in between water changes? Did it drop drastically? Are you wet skimming. The SG won't drop off that bad just over night. In order for that to drop off you'dt have to be removing water, and replacing it with normal water not salt.
     
    Reefing Madness, Oct 30, 2011
    Reefing Madness, Oct 30, 2011
    #7
  8. kreator

    kreator Flamingo Tongue

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    Congrats on the tank! If you are using a refractometer you might want to make sure it's calibrated, I was suprised how often mine is off by one or two hundredths if I don't check it with some fresh RO water every couple weeks
     
    kreator, Oct 30, 2011
    kreator, Oct 30, 2011
    #8
  9. malac0da13

    malac0da13 Torch Coral

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    Out of curiosity was the water the same temperature when you tested it both times? The seems like a huge fluctuation for just evaporation. Water will read different specific gravity depending on temperature. I am not sure which way it swings though based on temp.

    Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
     
    malac0da13, Oct 30, 2011
    malac0da13, Oct 30, 2011
    #9
  10. High_hopes

    High_hopes Astrea Snail

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    The temp was different now that you mentioned it. I'll calibrate the refractometer and check it again.
     
    High_hopes, Oct 30, 2011
    High_hopes, Oct 30, 2011
    #10