How can I keep the Salinity Level consistant?

[nicoled29]

Hi,
My name is Nicole and I just got a 56 gallon tank. I already have the live rock in it and put the salt in the water. I've only has the take for about a week and when I check the salinity, it's at the level tat is should be. But then the next day the Salinity level will drop. So I added a little more salt just b/c I thought I didnt put enough the first time. But now it's a constant thing happening. I add the salt and the level is where is needs to be, the next day the level drops and i don't know what to do to keep the salinity level consistant. Also I would like to know how long I should wait with the live rock in the take before I start adding any fish. I dont want to add fish too early. Other than that all of my other water levels are accurate. It's just the Salinity level i'm having a problem with. Could you help me?
Thanks

 

[steelgluer]

If I was you I would invest in one of these for you salt,
and a good test kit to monitor you cycling

 

[florida joe]

Hi and welcome you should only be loosing salt through salt creep that’s the water that gets splashed on things out side your tank evaporates and leaves the salt behind, if anything your salinity should go up with the evaporation of water from your tank invest in a refractometer before adding any more salt what did you use to cycle your tank if you are sure your tank is cycled you can fee your ROCK as if you had fish in your tank keep checking your levels when they stay good for a week you should be able to add one fish (after QT) sorry just reread your thread i dont think your tank is cycled in the weeks time you have it please read this thread 101 Tips to Beginning and Maintaining a Saltwater Aquarium

 

[trigger11]

Originally Posted by nicoled29
http:///forum/post/2468251
Hi,
My name is Nicole and I just got a 56 gallon tank. I already have the live rock in it and put the salt in the water. I've only has the take for about a week and when I check the salinity, it's at the level tat is should be. But then the next day the Salinity level will drop. So I added a little more salt just b/c I thought I didnt put enough the first time. But now it's a constant thing happening. I add the salt and the level is where is needs to be, the next day the level drops and i don't know what to do to keep the salinity level consistant. Also I would like to know how long I should wait with the live rock in the take before I start adding any fish. I dont want to add fish too early. Other than that all of my other water levels are accurate. It's just the Salinity level i'm having a problem with. Could you help me?
Thanks
I agree with the above posters. A refractometer is worth the expense because they are very accurate.
Some ideas to consider. In setting up a new system it does take a few days sometimes for the entire water column to have the same salt level all the way through it. Especially if you just dump a whole bag of salt into one place and dont do a lot of stirring.
Salinity readings will also vary a little bit by temperature. So if you measure at night just before the lights go out the system will likely be a little warmer than when you measure again in the morning.
Hopefully you are cycling the tank and do have any livestock in there yet. If so I would give a couple more days definitely before adding any more salt.
~Trigger

 

[michaeltx]

Please do not add salt till you know whats going on what is the temp of the tank when you are testing. if you have temp swings bad in the tank it could be effecting the readings that you are getting. also if its swing arm hydrometer then bubbles can collect on the arm causing a bad reading aswell
Welcome to the board and ask and questions that you may have.
Mike

 

[metweezer]

Nicole,
Never add salt to your tank! Have a separate container (clean that you will only use for water changes). Fill with water (RO/DI) and add your salt to that. Mix it up and use a powerhead if you have one for 24 hours. Test with a refractometer. SG:1.024 (more experienced board members may have a different level for you to shoot for). Do a water change and replace the amount of water you took out with your newly made water. Never add powered salt to your main tank. BTW Welcome to the boards.
Steve