water changes??

[monkdaily]

first off iam new to the site and hobby. i have f/w my whole life. ive had my s/w for 3 1/2 months. i let it cycle for close to 2 1/2 months just to be certin that everything was perfect. and it was. so i guess patience really is a vertue!! its a 55g. so by the time the cycle was done close to 5g's had evapt. and my silinity had risen. my lfs told me that an all f/w change would help that. so i took another 5g's out and added 10g's of ro/di water. waited till the next day and added a stars and stripes puffer to go with the 6 line (that was there for cycling reasons). and it hase been kickin it strong for close to a month a few other fish and cleand up crew has also been added. but i digress. my question is that i am trying to do 10g water change every 2 weeks should it always be f/w or should it b 3g's salt, 7g's fresh. how exactly should it be done. cuz i dont wanna do 10g's fresh every 2 weeks and endup having a brackish tank that goes fresh. HELP

!!!!!!!! i know this way too much info but just trying to get my point across

 

[coraljunky]

Water changes with salt mix. Evaporation top-off with ro/di

 

[earlybird]

That LFS sucks. You should keep your tank at as much of a consistent salinity level as possible. As water evaporates salt is left behind so the more frequently you top off the less swings of salinity you'll have. When you make salt water for a water change you want it to match your dispaly tank as closely as possible with salinity and temperature. Good luck

 

[monkdaily]

my lfs is tiny cramped and over priced but its the closest to my house and they rent water jugs witch around here is a plus. but i just found one a bout 20mins away that is the nicest one i have seen any where around me its awesome they just got new stock today and were closed.so i will go tomorrow for sure

. however the other place sells pre mixed salt water so i would like to continue to get my water there well thank yall i was bout to go get 10g's of fresh water tomorrow but not now!! yall saved my stock and me plent of headache

 

[coraljunky]

Originally Posted by monkdaily
my lfs is tiny cramped and over priced but its the closest to my house and they rent water jugs witch around here is a plus. but i just found one a bout 20mins away that is the nicest one i have seen any where around me its awesome they just got new stock today and were closed.so i will go tomorrow for sure

. however the other place sells pre mixed salt water so i would like to continue to get my water there well thank yall i was bout to go get 10g's of fresh water tomorrow but not now!! yall saved my stock and me plent of headache

We have all been there, glad to help.

 

[buckster71]

I went to two of the so-called better ones near me. Here is my sad story
1) I asked for 12 Astera snails. The new girl came back with hermit crabs
2) I wanted to check trace elements as I don't have test kits for it...she comes back that my ph was way low...after they couldn't check elements for me with missing instruments
I told her to retest with a new tray as the one she used probably wasn't rinsed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[coraljunky]

RULE #1 - Dont rely on the fish store

 

[geridoc]

Originally Posted by coraljunky
RULE #1 - Dont rely on the fish store
RULE #2 - Always, always follow rule #1!

 

[coraljunky]

Originally Posted by GeriDoc
RULE #2 - Always, always follow rule #1!

I had to read that twice to make sure I didnt have to defend myself.

 

[monkdaily]

well they had list of inverts for a cleaning crew from like $1.20 to $4.99 and i was not trying to spend 30 bucks on snails. so i ask for some descriptions and dutys of the snails and the girl there seemed to be very knowledgeable and helpful, way better customes service than anyother place i had been to round here and they had close to 50 tanks with fish and coral about 10 with diff kinds of live rock one 600g DT and a 1,000g DT. and then some f/w tanks that i didnt even get near cuz i was so mesmerized it was like a s/w mall!! i cant wait to go back. once again thanx or all the help. as a s/w newbe i sure i will be asking plenty of dumb time wasting questions!!

 

[coraljunky]

Have any pics of your setup? Where do you live? You may have members nearby.

 

[monkdaily]

Originally Posted by coraljunky
RULE #1 - Dont rely on the fish store
yeah iam starting to figure that out real quick!!

 

[monkdaily]

Originally Posted by coraljunky
Have any pics of your setup? Where do you live? You may have members nearby.
no pics as of now i only have a camera phone i have to get my sisters camera and i wouldnt have the slightest clue on how to load them here but i can give a quick stock list. by the way i live in grand praire 20mins outside dallas right next to arlington
55g
60lbs. l/s
25lbs. l/r
1stars and stripes puffer
2 yellow tale damsels
1 domino damsel
1 six line
6turbo snales
2 Turbo/Astrea Snail
1 diamond sleeper goby (however i caint id it but that wut the old LFS said it was i got it to sift sand and have yet to see it do so!!

)
and 1 lrg. supper aggresive hermit that i am trying to find a home for!!
how do u post pics here and cody or just copy past??? i will try to put some up later tonight

 

[coraljunky]

Originally Posted by monkdaily
no pics as of now i only have a camera phone i have to get my sisters camera and i wouldnt have the slightest clue on how to load them here but i can give a quick stock list. by the way i live in grand praire 20mins outside dallas right next to arlington
55g
60lbs. l/s
25lbs. l/r
1stars and stripes puffer
2 yellow tale damsels
1 domino damsel
1 six line
6turbo snales
2 Turbo/Astrea Snail
1 diamond sleeper goby (however i caint id it but that wut the old LFS said it was i got it to sift sand and have yet to see it do so!!

)
and 1 lrg. supper aggresive hermit that i am trying to find a home for!!
how do u post pics here and cody or just copy past??? i will try to put some up later tonight
When you post, click on "manage attachments"

 

[monkdaily]

my puffer

more puffer

my tank no lights

mt tank with lights

sorry some of the pics r so large i dont have an editer on my l/t right now