speed for salt changes

pohtr

Member
If all other things are already acclimated to, how fast would be too fast for acclimating to a salt diff? This would be fish or inverts.
Would you need to keep at the same drip if it took all night?
Also please include what speed to make corrections to the tank at. My tank read (hydrometer - several tappings and readings) at 1.026 (cause I couldn't believe it went up so high) and then I added about a quart or maybe a little more freshwater and the reading went down to 1.022. This is in a a90 gal. Seemed fast to me. I'm still trying to work out how much evap. I have.
 

mbrands

Member
Are you using a swing-arm hydrometer to measure your salinity? A few quarts wouldn't cause that big of a change in a 90 gallon tank.
Can you rephrase your drip question? Are you talking about drip acclimating a species overnight??
 

angelofish

Member
I get what your trying to say. Did you give the freshwater time to completely circulate through the entire tank? Too much of a salinity change too fast can stress the tank. You can drip if you want or just add some everyday like I do. I use about a gallon every 3 days or so depending on the temp. in the house.
 

pohtr

Member
Yes, a swing arm hydrometer. I didn't think it should have changed that much either. Maybe it was because I didn't wait long enough for it to circulate....but I just went and checked it again and it still reads 1.022. Maybe its just the hydrometer. Maybe it's my technique.
Yes, I meant drip acclimating new critters. If. for example the lfs has a really low salt level and your own is .004 higher or so, then would a typical acclimation period be long enough for that much change without it changing too fast?
In other words, how much of a jump in salt level can a fish take during a typical drip acclimation, for example. (this is so hard to explain - I'm beginning to confuse myself)
 

thejdshow

Member
make sure you give the newly added water time to mix with the other water. Otherwise you may be testing the water you just added to your tank.
 

mbrands

Member

Originally posted by pohtr
In other words, how much of a jump in salt level can a fish take during a typical drip acclimation

I think it would all depend on the hardiness of the species. Damsels probably would survive without even being dripped, but angels and tangs would need a few hours.
 
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