Adding salt...

[the miamian]

As some or all of you know, I'm a beginner in marine aquariums. My 29 gallon tank is still without any fish due to not having the spare cash to buy the kind'a fish I really want yet, and I sure don't wanna have to start off with tiny fish such as Damsels and/or Chromis'. All there is in the tank is live sand, and of course saltwater, heater and filters.
I know if or when we do a 20-25% water change, we have to add salt, but we don't have to add salt when the water evaporates,`cos they say that salt won't evaporate with the water, but what about salt creep? Isn't that the same thing as salt evaporating with the water? The LFSs say I never need to add salt no matter how much salt creep there is.
What do you guys/gals believe the truth is about this?
Thanks!

 

[jackri]

You won't get that much salt creep to make a difference.
Just test your levels regularly and adjust accordingly during a water change.

 

[nordy]

Generally, I would agree that salt creep won't cause anough of a salt loss that you will have to compensate specifically for that. However, as you check your salinity on a regular basis you will in effect be compensating for that very minor loss when you mix up your new water. As yout tank water evaporates during normal operations, and you add your plain (preferably ro/di) water to bring water levels back to normal, there will be minor salinity swings that will be greater than those caused by salt creep so I would suggest just monitoring your salinity on a regular basis and don't worry about salt creep.
As for not putting in fish at this point, it's probably a good thing for your tank as you can let it cycle fully before you begin stocking it. Do you have any live rock yet? Strongly recommend that and a good test kit if you don't have one already. It's much better to start off slowly in this hobby than to rush things. My personal opinion is that damsels are mean agressive fish and if you put them in your tank, you may regret it later and they are about impossible to remove with our totally breaking down your tank.
Good luck with your new tank!

 

[the miamian]

Originally Posted by Nordy
http:///forum/post/2935803
Generally, I would agree that salt creep won't cause anough of a salt loss that you will have to compensate specifically for that. However, as you check your salinity on a regular basis you will in effect be compensating for that very minor loss when you mix up your new water. As yout tank water evaporates during normal operations, and you add your plain (preferably ro/di) water to bring water levels back to normal, there will be minor salinity swings that will be greater than those caused by salt creep so I would suggest just monitoring your salinity on a regular basis and don't worry about salt creep.
As for not putting in fish at this point, it's probably a good thing for your tank as you can let it cycle fully before you begin stocking it. Do you have any live rock yet? Strongly recommend that and a good test kit if you don't have one already. It's much better to start off slowly in this hobby than to rush things. My personal opinion is that damsels are mean agressive fish and if you put them in your tank, you may regret it later and they are about impossible to remove with our totally breaking down your tank.
Good luck with your new tank!
No, I have no rocks in the tank yet... not live, base or lace. Just cost way too much around here, ($18/lb) and none of them seem to weigh less than 3 to 4lbs each, some 7 to 8lbs. I am gonna get about three live rocks someday so the fish can hide if I end up with non-sociable fish. Would like at least three to seven peaceful fish. I know one I like... the Clown Tang.
My tank has been cycling for around 2 weeks now with live sand, with a Hagen AquaClear 70 powerfilter and a Hagen AquaClear 50 powerhead with a Quickfilter attatched to it. I added carbon pellets on the inside of the filter media of the Quickfilter.
I guess I can also pour some of the stuff I've been using in the powerfilter into the Quickfilter, but I can't remember the name of the stuff, but it's made by Fluval. They're tiny brown balls in a white pouch (you can cut the pouch open to pour them out) that remove ammonia and nitrite. It did great in my former freshwater aquarium. Seemed to be so much freshwater bacteria in the tank, that I never had to do a water change for months.
Anyway, one fish I'd like to have is this one at this link... http://www.flickr.com/photos/reinlad...957467/sizes/o
Some say that's not a Naso Tang, some say it is. Beats me, but I like to have it. When it gets big, I'll have to get a larger tank.

 

[florida joe]

Depending upon where your salt creep is you should address the situation.

 

[subielover]

No tangs in a 29 gallon

While you are saving up, do some research on which fish would work in such a small tank.

 

[the miamian]

Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/2935864
Depending upon where your salt creep is you should address the situation.
The creep is getting on the black plastic frame and small spots here and there around the powerfilter.
So far the salinity is around 31 and the gravity at 1.023.

 

[pete159]

a clown tang needs a 75g tank, they get get to 11 inches.
A 29g qualifies as a nano tank and can only have small fish.
Live rock makes the best bio filter for a saltwater tank so start saving your pennies

 

[florida joe]

Originally Posted by The Miamian
http:///forum/post/2935978
The creep is getting on the black plastic frame and small spots here and there around the powerfilter.
So far the salinity is around 31 and the gravity at 1.023.
Make sure your salt creep does not encroach upon your electrical connections

 

[mantisman51]

Subie is very correct. A 29g limits you to a few small fish. Clowns,hawks,grammas,etc.What ends up happening,if no disease breaks out is the fish will just start to fade and die.One here,another there.And you will be left trying to figure out why every larger fish you have only lasts a few weeks or months when no apparent disease is showing.It's like they just waste away.Don't ask me how I know this.

 

[the miamian]

Originally Posted by pete159
http:///forum/post/2936000
a clown tang needs a 75g tank, they get get to 11 inches.
A 29g qualifies as a nano tank and can only have small fish.
Live rock makes the best bio filter for a saltwater tank so start saving your pennies
Yeah, I will be saving for some live rocks, but I hate the smell they make when they die.

 

[the miamian]

Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/2936005
Make sure your salt creep does not encroach upon your electrical connections
I know. I use to put conditioning salt in my freshwater for the Cichlids I had that seemed to need it, and I had a lot of salt creeping out onto the light and pump cords. So I'll keep them all wiped, even the tank.

 

[the miamian]

Originally Posted by pete159
http:///forum/post/2936000
a clown tang needs a 75g tank, they get get to 11 inches.
A 29g qualifies as a nano tank and can only have small fish.
Live rock makes the best bio filter for a saltwater tank so start saving your pennies

True, they get 1' 3". Any fish that will get big, I had planned to get a larger tank before too late or sell the fish, one. The Naso gets 2', http://www.flickr.com/photos/reinlad...957467/sizes/o but what a nice fish that one is.

 

[nordy]

Originally Posted by The Miamian
http:///forum/post/2935857
No, I have no rocks in the tank yet... not live, base or lace. Just cost way too much around here, ($18/lb) and none of them seem to weigh less than 3 to 4lbs each, some 7 to 8lbs. I am gonna get about three live rocks someday so the fish can hide if I end up with non-sociable fish. Would like at least three to seven peaceful fish. I know one I like... the Clown Tang

You should be able to find base rock for a couple of dollars a pound-even fully cured Fiji rock shouldn't cost anywhere near 18/lb

Live Rock is really the cornerstone of your biological filtration and it's worth it to save up and get some before your add fish, even if you get base rock and let it get colonized and turn into LR.
Also, agree on the other comments on getting a tang in your tank-please don't do it, even if you think you will be getting a larger tank later! There are plenty of cool fish that will do great in a 29 gallon tank!