Help with salinity

[terrance]

I need help lowering my salinity. I just ran a test it read 1.028. Do i lower it by adding deionized water? ANy help would be appreciated.

 

[007]

Yes, adding RO water will lower your salinity. However do not just pour a bunch of freshwater into the tank. What I would do is to slowly add more freshwater each day than you normally do for top off.
A rapid decrease in salinity could potentially stress some tank inhabitants.

 

[dacia]

Do you have fish or corals in the tank right now?
SLOWLY lower the salinity by doing small water changes. Take out the saltwater, add fresh water. This must be done gradually if you have livestock in your tank already. If there's nothing in there yet, just take out some water and add fresh.

 

[terrance]

I have 4 damsels, a goby, and a couple hermit crabs. My brittle star crawled out of the tank today. I check my parameters and all were fine except the salinty was at 1.028. I hope he makes it.

 

[bang guy]

How are you checking Salinity? If you're using a swing-arm hydrometer I suggest you not change anything until you have it checked against a more precise measuring device.
1.028 is a Specific Gravity measurement actually. To obtain Salinity you also need the temperature of the water.

 

[david t.]

also when mixing sw it takes about 24 hrs. for the salt to completly mix. I dont know how u mix yours. But i do mine i a 5 gal bucket add salt stir well then let it sit for 24 hrs. then check with hydrometer you will be surprised how much the level will go up in 24 hrs.