How Much Salt?

[tdawg57]

I know that 1.020 is around the lowest you want to go and that 1.021 is more of an ideal for your fish. I just set my tank up and it's a little low with a gravity of 1.019, just barely over that if what my hydrometer reads. Is this very unhealthy for my fish, and is the easiest way of bringing it up to do a water change daily with a higher gravity untill it's a little higher? Salt is somewhat new to me, but I'm loving it!!!

 

[RamJet]

1.023 to 1.025 is Ideal for a reef. If you have a fish only tank, you can have it as low as 1.016, the fish will be just fine. Parasites and fungus dont like the lower salinity so your fish will be less likely to get ill. 1.018 is were I used to keep my fish only tanks, however if you want to raise the salt content, this is how you want to do it.
If you need a water change, do it then, but you can also just pull five gallons of tank water out into a bucket. Add your salt and stir it, then put the water back in the tank. Take it slow, it may take a few trys to get your salt content up. You dont want to rush it, or you can stress your fish. Just a little at a time. Do this over a week or so. Hope that helps. Ram

 

[tdawg57]

Ramjet,
Thanks for the advice, that does seem simpler than doing a water change and having to completely mix over, plus saves some money on salt. I do have live rock in my tank, however I'm not planning on adding any corals or any live type of plants, just keeping it with rock and fish. I know the rock needs to be at 1.023, but since I'm not adding any corals I figure I'll keep it as is, then when I upgrade to my 80 gallon later this year I can use it as base rock. Once again thanks!!!