Too much salt?

[seahorse11]

I have about 100 pounds of LR in a large rubbermaid container. I have been adding salt and the hydrometer hasnt gone above 1.014. Sometimes the number even goes down! How much salt should I add to maybe a 30 gallon container? How about to a 90 gallon tank? It seems like I have added WAY too much salt but cant get the SG up!! Please help!!

 

[mikegray]

dont use a HYDROMETER!!! get a Refractometer! very reliable and very accurate.

 

[fishieness]

tap your hydrometer to make sure that there are no bubbles. The amount you use will depend on the salt. It should say so on the package. But a recractometer would be a better choice.... mine is in the mail

 

[zman1]

Maybe I am misunderstanding what you asking and doing.
If your saying you have 100 LBS in a 30 gal Rubbermaid with water plain water and your just now adding salt. I wouldn't do it that way. But it may be to late now. It takes a while for salt to dissolve depending on your brand as well. Stop adding salt now!.
How much water do you have in the Rubbermaid? Remember the rock is displacing the water so if it full it's really not 30 gallons of water but something less. Look at your salt container, it will say how many cups per gallon, this is a good place to start. If you have exceed this already your SG may go off the chart once the salt totally dissolves.
I always wait a day after adding salt to my 30 gal I use for water changes and run a power head in it the whole time and then test SG and adjust it if needed and wait another day..
If I have misunderstood what you are doing please disregard. If it is still not reading and you put the amount of salt per the containr reccomendations then you may have a bad hydrometer.

 

[zman1]

What is the temp of your water?

 

[seahorse11]

I bought some LR and it smells bad so I put it in a container with 3 powerheads and a thermometer. Its a huge container, I am guessing 30 gallons. There is about 100 lbs LR. I have been adding salt and the hydrometer isnt registering all the salt. I must have added 2-3 cups already and its still at 1.014. I didnt read the box, I didnt know there was directions on there. Do I need to keep doing water changes? Every time I do a water change, I keep adding all that salt? The rock smells BAD, how long till it stops stinking up my house?? Temp right now is 70 degrees.

 

[unleashed]

depending on your salt mix brand it may vary instant ocean is normally 2 cups salt per every 5 gal to make sg -1.023 b4 using hydrometer rinse well with warm water to rid any salt residue from previous use.then check your levels check levels with each batch mixing 24 hrs in advance with instant ocean is not required but def a good idea just to make sure all salt is desolved properly.as MikeGray stated hydrometers are very inaccurate.I have 3 different brands of hydrometer each one will give a different reading.do your self a favor invest in good refractometer.

 

[zman1]

Originally Posted by seahorse11
I didnt read the box, I didnt know there was directions on there.

I am not trying to flame you.... However, you need to read this again in the morning with fresh eyes.
That kind of information is always concealed and hidden in books, instructions and directions. Think of it as taking medication!

 

[nic_u812]

uh... your live rock might not have that much life left in it....
You should have your water params in-check prior to adding any livestock to the water...
Read twice, do once.....