Adding Salt

[milo_lives]

I have a 30G reef tank with only one Blue Tang. He is doing Great :happy:
My Gravity level is about 1.019 and I would like to add some more instant ocean salt. It states on the bag not to add with animals in the tank. What do I need to do? Should I do a water change and slowly add in the salt? This is my first salt water tank and I have no clue on how to raise the gravity level. Please let me know if anyone can help.
Thanx
Milo

 

[elfdoctors]

How are you measuring specific gravity? Make sure it is is accurate. Swing arm hydrometers are notoriously inaccurate and I would be careful about making big changes based on spurious results.
Fish can tolerate having the salinity drop quickly but not having it rise quickly. If the fish are doing well don't make any sudden changes. I would recommend you mix up a batch of 1.025 water in a separate container and do several small water changes.
Another easy way is to top off your tank with saltwater to replace water lost from evaporation. This will gradually raise the salinity.

 

[milo_lives]

I am using a little swing arm tester. I've doing reading from the get go I the information is greatly appricaited. I thought for a minute I had to talk my fish out of its enviroment and that scared me a little. I'll probably do a small mixture and and gradually over maybee a week peroid.
Thanks again, let me know if your posting you tank on the forum. I love looking at other poeples tanks. I may post one shortly as well.
Milo

 

[cprdnick]

Also, as elfdoctors said, the swing arm hrdrometers are notoriously inaccurate. Take a measurement with your swing arm, and then if possible, take a water sample to your LFS or someone that has a refractometer and compare results. I made sure my swing arm was working before I added any creatures, just to be safe.

 

[stillfrodo]

Welcome to the board and this hobby. Patience is the key to anything you do to your tank. ImO the best way to check salinity is with a refractometer. Again this is just my opinion. I have found them to be extremely accurate and they compensate for water and room temperature. Shop around you should be able to get some good deals on them. Also in regards to raising your salinity do it slowly. You should never add your salt mix directly into your tank. Saltwater needs to be aged in a seperate container for at least 24 hours before doing any type of water change. Invest in a 55 gallon rubbermaid container with a lid. Add a small heater and powerhead. You can make up your saltwater there. I use RO/DI water and drip into my container. I age it for a few days and then do my water changes. When doing water changes the SG of your holding container should match that of your tank. Only exception would be is if you are trying to raise the SG. This should be done over a period of time. Have your holding container SG slightly above and do your water change. Over time your SG will rise to where you want it. Try a search on this board for raising SG. Listen to the people on this board that are more experienced. I am still a newbie myself always learning. Good luck and don't be afraid to ask questions.

 

[squidd]

I have a 30G reef tank with only one Blue Tang. He is doing Great :happy:

[:happyfish] :nope:

 

[cprdnick]

EASY, EASY. <---:nope:

 

[jrpage]

I think the previous two posts are trying to say - in a not-so-subtle way that they feel your tank is too small to house a tang.
Since we all start from somewhere, and have made mistakes........just keep this in mind, as your fish grows he WILL eventually need more room.
I concur that you should have your water tested at a reliable source b4 proceeding to bring up your salinity. Many a nightmare have occured because of swing-arm hydometers. I know, I'm one of them:nope:
Do you house any inverts and if so, how are they behaving? You will definately notice low salinty effects in them first.
You are in a great place to learn so keep asking questions!!!
Best Wishes!