too much salinity?????

[saltrookie]

I need help, just checked the salinity in my water and I have TOO much....what do I do to correct this problem. I read in the book saltwater for dummies and it says I need to get rid of some water and add fresh water but, wanted to double check with all the professionals here. It's a 30 gallon tank, how much water should I remove?? Salinity is off the chart. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[jerth6932]

Originally Posted by saltrookie
I need help, just checked the salinity in my water and I have TOO much....what do I do to correct this problem. I read in the book saltwater for dummies and it says I need to get rid of some water and add fresh water but, wanted to double check with all the professionals here. It's a 30 gallon tank, how much water should I remove?? Salinity is off the chart. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

If you could tell us how much it is it would help, but the way to get it to come down is to do a water change... amount is dependant on how badly it is off! And yes use only fresh water to replace it......no salt!

 

[saltrookie]

Well, I checked it with a hydrometer and it was betweeb 1.030 and 1.032.

 

[jacknjill]

what was your reading? and are you using a hydrometer or a refractometer?

 

[jerth6932]

yeah do a 1 G change and see where that gets ya.That should drop you down at least to 1.025ish range........ how long ago did you add the salt?

 

[jerthunter]

Just to chime in, be careful about changing the salinty... Do you have any fish in the tank? If you do you don't want to shock the fish by dropping the salinty to rapidly. Another thing to keep in mind is whether or not you are getting an accurate reading with your hydrometer. If you have a plastic swing arm type you might want to consider getting either a floating bulb type (my personal preference) or a refractometer (everyone elses preference) . The swing arm hydrometers can be difficult to use and can give you drastically different readings if you aren't used to using them...
But the concept for lowering the salinty is correct, pull some saltwater out and replace it with freshwater.

 

[smoney]

that salinity isnt bad I would do a 1gallon change everyday till u get between 1.023-1.025. Change the saltwater that you take out with some R/O water.

 

[saltrookie]

Tank has been up and going for three weeks now. Initial set up just has cc in it (I know, I know...should've used live sand), live and learn...finding this site has been wonderful. A week later, added 16 lbs lr. Didn't know not to add fish right away, got excited...you know how that can be. Added three damsels and a week later added two clowns and a porcupine puffer. The two clowns have died but, the puffer and damsels are still living. Just learned I needed to check the salinity and this is where I am. Keep trying to add snails and crabs and don't seem to be working. Learned from another lfs that you should start from the bottom (adding cleaning crew first) then work your way up. Learning the hard way but, now know...involves alot of patience. Hoping to not lose the fish I have, I love my puffer. :notsure:

 

[jerth6932]

Originally Posted by saltrookie
Tank has been up and going for three weeks now. Initial set up just has cc in it (I know, I know...should've used live sand), live and learn...finding this site has been wonderful. A week later, added 16 lbs lr. Didn't know not to add fish right away, got excited...you know how that can be. Added three damsels and a week later added two clowns and a porcupine puffer. The two clowns have died but, the puffer and damsels are still living. Just learned I needed to check the salinity and this is where I am. Keep trying to add snails and crabs and don't seem to be working. Learned from another lfs that you should start from the bottom (adding cleaning crew first) then work your way up. Learning the hard way but, now know...involves alot of patience. Hoping to not lose the fish I have, I love my puffer. :notsure:
That does change how you go about it, you should only do about a 1/2 gallon change every day, to get it to come down..... Sorry just figured that was a 1st week mistake....nothing aginst you! But people are going to get on you about the puffer in a 30 gal........ HE is going to get a bit big for that!!

 

[jerthunter]

Wow, I am suprised your clowns died but your puffer is ok.... Hope he stays healthy. Just be careful to lower your salinty slowly, get it to 1.022-1.025 and try to maintain it, fluxuations can cause stress to fish but even more so to inverts like snails and crabs....
You might want to consider getting rid of the damsels, some damsel can be MEAN when they get bigger..

 

[birdy]

might not have a lot of luck with snails with a porky puffer in there, they love to eat snails!
As everyone else said if you have fish lower the salinity slowly over a few days.

 

[jerthunter]

Oh yeah, didn't even see what size tank you had but the puffer will get far to big for that tank. He is probably small now but they get HUGE.

 

[saltrookie]

Thanks so much for everyone's help, it is greatly appreciated!! I will do what is suggested and hope everything works out. When would be a good time to check it again, later this evening?? I know, a puffer in a 30 gal but, will it help to tell you it is a tall square?? Actually, he is kinda small right now but, they told me at the lfs (which seemed to know more...no offense to *****), that I could bring him back if he gets to big for store credit. I'm learned so much on this site and from my book.....I would suggest anyone that wants to start this hobby, do much research (it's an expensive hobby and not for everyone)!!

 

[jerth6932]

Originally Posted by saltrookie
Thanks so much for everyone's help, it is greatly appreciated!! I will do what is suggested and hope everything works out. When would be a good time to check it again, later this evening?? I know, a puffer in a 30 gal but, will it help to tell you it is a tall square?? Actually, he is kinda small right now but, they told me at the lfs (which seemed to know more...no offense to *****), that I could bring him back if he gets to big for store credit. I'm learned so much on this site and from my book.....I would suggest anyone that wants to start this hobby, do much research (it's an expensive hobby and not for everyone)!!

 

[oreo12]

I would keep the damsials if you can keep them a live for a year they will grow and your local stor would then take them in on trade maybe. then you could buy the fish you want. Damsials seem to be tougher than most fish I like to see a tank up and going for a year befor you start puting in the high dollar fish. That way you make your mistakes less costly good luck and welcome

 

[mikeyjer]

Originally Posted by oreo12
I would keep the damsials if you can keep them a live for a year they will grow and your local stor would then take them in on trade maybe. then you could buy the fish you want. Damsials seem to be tougher than most fish I like to see a tank up and going for a year befor you start puting in the high dollar fish. That way you make your mistakes less costly good luck and welcome
Good thinking! But I would rather use Green Chromis for that, at least you can still keep'em without it harressing other fish. His tank is only 30 gallon, not much he can put in that small of a tank unless he does upgrade later down the road.... :happyfish

 

[saltrookie]

Mike,
Just to set you straight....he is a she. lol

I already do plan on upgrading but, wanted to go small first and see if sw was really for me. The helpful guy at lfs told me in no time I wouldn't be happy with a 30 gal and guess what...already I'm not. There's so much I want to do and have but before so much money is spent, needed to see if it was right for me. All the pictures on this site are wonderful but, I need to quit looking at them, just makes me want bigger and bigger (I'm not rich, that's the problem)!!!!!

 

[dw62]

Just to chime in a little...I am a "newbie" at reefkeeping, but I have had SW FO tanks in the past. I don't know what that "nice guy" at the LFS told you, but I have learned to be leary of these "nice guys". If he knew your tank was that new, he would've steered you away from buying some of those fish!!!