Salinity Spike....

[Seratuki]

Hello...
I recently added some sea shells to my tank...they were collected and boiled before adding,..
I then did a 15% water change on my 55 US gallon tank...I've always had a rather sable salinity, but after the water change the salinity and Specific gravity had spiked from Salinity of 32 and SG of 1.024 to Salinity of 40 and an SG of 1.030
How is this possible?
and how do I lower it? can I add fresh water without stressing the fish?

Thanks

Sara

 

[bunjiweb]

What kind of hydrometer do you use and did you try testing the salinity more than once.

Also how do you mix the saltwater for the water change.

The easiest way to lower it is to drip feed fresh water into the tank and keep testing the salinity every 15 minutes.

Ben

 

[phyto]

I had the same problem when i started, it turned out that i was not mixing for long enough with a power head. I was only mixing for about 12 hrs, leaving it for at least 24hr stirring made a lot of difference
As for lowering the Sg i was adding a little more top off water each day till it was in check

HTH