Adding Salt

[phoenixfire]

alright...so ive had my brackish tank for a very long time now...and as usual the water has begun to drop below a desired level...my question is...
1.do i have to add salt in with the water im going to put into the tank?...or does the salt not evaporate...because i know the dr salt stuff doesnt...it may seem like a very dumb question...but i want to make sure...

2....how many spoons of salt do i put in a gallon of water....

3 after i mix up the salt with the gallon of water...i can just dump it into the tank correct?....cause i know if i just through salt in the tank it will cause burns on my fish...but after mixing then dumping with water it should be fine?....i know lots of questions...but thanks!!!

 

[Teelie]

Depending on how much water has evaporated, you might need to add salt to it. The best way to know though is test the water for it's specific gravity and adjust accordingly.

Salt does not evaporate so you have to keep adjusting the level between/during/after water changes so it stays in the proper levels, and you probably should add the salt premixed with the water going into the tank to avoid any potential salt burns or complications with the brackish water and the unsalted water mixing. When water with salt in it comes in contact with water that has no salt, it has to diffuse and equalize itself which can be bad for any fish that swim into it and suddenly their water is no longer the right salinity.

 

[phoenixfire]

thanks a lot that helps...i didnt think salt evaporates but i like to be sure when handling lives...have a good one!

 

[jacblades]

2....how many spoons of salt do i put in a gallon of water....

that depends on the type of fish and what life stage they are in. at what level do you normally keep your sg?
salt does not evaporate but it doesn't really matter if you are doing water changes frequently enough (unless you have very high powered lighting-then you can see a difference in a week)

im curious-what kind of fish do you have?

 

[phoenixfire]

i have flounder "soles"...5 of them in a 20 gallon long....there very interesting fish...its fun to watch them eat worms!...i have had them just recently lay eggs...but the eggs died....so im researching that right now...

 

[jacblades]

i have flounder "soles"...5 of them in a 20 gallon long....there very interesting fish...its fun to watch them eat worms!...i have had them just recently lay eggs...but the eggs died....so im researching that right now...

oh wow-yours laid eggs?!?! even though the eggs didnt make it, that's still quite an accomplishment. do know which kind of flouders you have?

 

[phoenixfire]

i know i was extremely amazed...i think its the american type...im not sure of the scientific name...

 

[jacblades]

trinectes maculatus is the kind most commonly sold in pet stores.
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=67770

 

[phoenixfire]

that would be my guys...there currently feeding right now as it is 2:19 in the morning up here in mass.