Hyposalinity

[orucco]

My 10 gal QT tank PH is 8.2-8.3 and 35ppt salinity. My tapwater which is off a 425' well has a TDS of 146 and PH of 8.0. My RO/DI is about 7.0 PH. I just changed 2 gals, 1/5, as recommended here with my tapwater as it is closer to the QT's PH and will continue to do so every 12 hours until I reach 14 ppt. Is this alright and close enough or do I need to raise the PH closer and if so what would you recommend I use...............Thanks.

 

[lefty]

So you're using tapwater in the tank because the pH is closer to that of the water in the QT? I would recommend against the use of tap water and just use the RO/DI with some pH buffer added. I use SeaChem's Liquid Marine Buffer and it works well.
-lefty

 

[orucco]

Thanks, I will get some.

 

[orucco]

Is the Seachem buffer to be used in sw? I need to buffer up the fw that I am diluting the QT with.

 

[lefty]

It would probably be better to add it directly to your tank right after you add the FW. I don't know if adding it to the FW would make a difference or not. Good question though.
-lefty

 

[beth]

You can add the water, wait and hour, then test it. Adjust as necessary. Remember to adjust low pH slowly. However, if you test every time you add the water, you should not have any major problems.

 

[orucco]

Thanks for all the great advice. I am at 14ppt and had a 2 .5" clowns in the qt for about a week when the gramma appeared lethargic and had a couple of tiny whitespots on his body. I almost decided to put the clowns in the mt so I could use the qt for the gramma but due to the better advice I have received here I left them in and will continue the qt of all for 6 weeks. The spots on the gramma are gone and all are eating great.

 

[beth]

Actually, 3 weeks from the time that you last observed spots will be sufficient.

 

[orucco]

Great, thanks again.

 

[beth]

After the 3 weeks, you should take another 5 days to bring the salinity up to normal in your tank.

 

[mikeyjer]

What is the best way to bring the salinity back up after you do hyposalinity??

 

[elfdoctors]

Usually a combination of water changes with regular salinity saltwater combined with not replacing evaporative losses. Some people also make some concentrated saltwater with a specific gravity ~1.030 but this is a lot harder to regulate (as salts will sometimes precipitate out at that salinity).