Top Up Problem

[Funkoid]

When battling with the Majanos i've seen the last few days i've obviously been taking rock in and out of the tank, this has resulted in a fair amount of water loss so I needed to top up.

I've mixed 175g of salt with 5 litres of water and left it ticking over at 25-26 degrees last night. The SG of the tank last night was 1.024, I've just tested the 5 litres at around 1.023-4 at 25-26 degrees then put that into the tank which is also 25-26 degrees.

I've just done another test on the tank water now and its come back at 1.020??

I've not got anything in there other than the live rock and that one mushroom coral (I inherited) but I'm wondering how i can get it back up to 1.024-6?

I'm going to leave it for an hour or so and do another SG test? Question is if it is still low how can I go about increasing the SG.

Sorry if I'm being dumb, I'm just slightly paniced at the moment!




edit - well 30 mins later I've done another SG test and it seems to be borderline 1.022 now so maybe it was a difference in temp? Not sure. Will check it again later tonight when I run the rest of my daily tests.

 

[weezawoo]

Hmm sounds a bit weird. I would say test in another hour or so. But to bring the sg up you add more salt! If its then too high add a bit of RO. Thats what I was advised anyway!

 

[Funkoid]

Hmm sounds a bit weird. I would say test in another hour or so. But to bring the sg up you add more salt! If its then too high add a bit of RO. Thats what I was advised anyway!

Just been reading a bit more, I'll do some more tests again in an hour or two.

Couldn't find any instructions on the bucket of TM salt I have so have been going off 35g per litre I add, I'm starting to think maybe I should have been using 36g a litre instead?

You don't add salt directly do your tank do you? I thought that was a massive no no! Or is it less of a bother if you don't have fish and just corals?

 

[weezawoo]

I think it is less of a problem because you don't have fish in there! With fish you can't shock them with different parameters etc. I should think the corals and rock should cope! Other wise I think you need to add it slowly. Im sure a expert will be along shortly

 

[lewiss]

I've only quickly scanned your post but saw no one replied!! So a very quick answer until I get more time! Sorry!
NEVER mix your salt in the tank, with any live stock or rock, I'll go into why later!
Mixing salt - stick a rough amount in shake up until it's visibly gone and test. At first you'll have to add a bit test, add a big test, etc etc but eventually you'll realise how much to add and you can pretty much do it like that. For example my water takes 5 cups of salt (I use a lil plastic cup) and then I mix and test and it's always spot on.but I only know this cause I had to add a cup each time and test until desired salinity is gained.
You want you salinity to be the same as your tank, give or take 1 or 2 points.

 

[Funkoid]

Thanks lewis, was 99.999% sure mixing in tank was bad and have never done it. Will have to take your approach next time I mix some stuff up, I figured doing 35g per litre was a good start though. It's weird it was spot on when I first filled the tank using that rule.

 

[lewiss]

Thanks lewis, was 99.999% sure mixing in tank was bad and have never done it. Will have to take your approach next time I mix some stuff up, I figured doing 35g per litre was a good start though. It's weird it was spot on when I first filled the tank using that rule.

Your more than welcome, does that make sense or do you want me to eleborate a bit more!?

 

[weezawoo]

At least I know that now Someone gave me the advice to add it straight to the tank if not enough when I have my LR etc but not fishes!

 

[lewiss]

basically it wont mix properly in your tank as it will settle in rock crevices and on teh sand bed, and the particles can cut the corals flesh

 

[Funkoid]

Thanks lewis, was 99.999% sure mixing in tank was bad and have never done it. Will have to take your approach next time I mix some stuff up, I figured doing 35g per litre was a good start though. It's weird it was spot on when I first filled the tank using that rule.

Your more than welcome, does that make sense or do you want me to eleborate a bit more!?

Crystal clear thanks mate

 

[Donya]

and the particles can cut the corals flesh

Not to mention burning other inverts. Had a small piece of crusty salt deposit from my 20gal's tank rim fall in by accident once and hit a dozing snail on the back of the foot. I have never seen a snail run so fast.