First water change with my clowns...they freaked a little

[monalisa]

So, my habit thus far has been to do top offs during the week and a larger change on Sundays. Top offs really didn't seem to worry them this week, but today the 10% change did. I thought they freaked a little, but they settled down relatively soon. Yeah, they're tank raised, so I thought they would be used to such action. Maybe that's just how that goes? Will they get used to me doing this? I just don't like seeing them so stressed.
Also, I broke my cheapo floaty hydrometer (couldn't read it for sh!t) and bought a new one before the water change today, and I was surprised to find that my salinity was up to 1.026. So with the change, and heated water, I ended up just adding fresh water to the tank and brought the salinity down to 1.024 or 1.023, within the safety range, but I would really like to get it down to 1.022 or so (suggestions?....). I will do another salinity test tomorrow...don't want to disrupt everyone anymore today...although it was tempting.
Another thing...sorry...I don't want my salinity to go up so high again. When doing changes and top offs, do most of you check first and then add what you think will work? As you can tell, I'm very new to this. It never occurred to me that, yeah, water evaporates but salt doesn't.
Thanks for your input
Lisa :happyfish

 

[monalisa]

Also, I've been doing a lot of research more additions. I was thinking of a Citron goby and last, a coral beauty angel (too big for a 37gal?). Will reconsider if needed.
Thanks again,
Lisa :happyfish

 

[bigarn]

The reading of 1.026 is actually specific gravity ...... if you can get it to about 1.024 - 1.025 and the temp around 82, you should have a salinity around 35ppt, which is about perfect for a reef tank. The clowns will get used to the waterchange routine ..... just be sure the waterchange water is the same salinity and temp as the water in the tank. (or as close as possible}

 

[blitz99]

4 fish for a 37 should be ok... but i'm no expert.
i have a clown, a firefish, a coral beauty and a yellow watchmen in my 40... and i'm adding another clown. weekly water changes and good filtration should be enough.

 

[jobob]

i keep my tank at about 1.025. its better for the corals. ocean water is 1.026. but the fish like it lower so i keep it at 1.025. but they will get use to it. just pour the water slower.

 

[monalisa]

Yeah, I'm pretty careful to do things slowly when I'm messing with the tank, just to be on the safe side. Thanks for your responses, much appreciated. Everyone seems to be happy again this morning.
Lisa :happyfish

 

[scubadoo]

Be careful, as I know you have added a skimmer, removed it, removed your filter...added it back and now making SG changes.
You are better to minimize the changes on your newer system. WHen you add just freshwater you are not adding/replenishing trace elements. You also removed some from the system when you removed the water for the fresh water change.
Should be okay but remember this in the future. Several reasons we change water...one is to replenish trace elements.
You want to keep your parameters within acceptable ranges and constant. be careful you do not change too much at the same time. and/or do it too fast.
Just trying to help.
JMO

 

[trainfever]

If you had a sump, you would never have to disrupt your tank. just syphon the water out of the sump and pour the new water right back into the sump. I don't even bother heating the new water. I leave the water get to room temperature and just pour it into the sump. At the most, the water temperature only changes one degree. And yes, I do have a digital thermometer, so I know how exact it is.