Advice on salinity needed (fast!?)

[Mihai]

Hi,

I am curing LR and I didn't notice how much water evaporated (probably due to the skimmer output that falls from about 4-6'), and now the salinity is way HIGH. How high? I don't know, it's more than 1.03 (that's where my hydrometer stops).

1) Did everybody on/in LR die?

2) If it didn't, how can I save the ones that left, should I rush to bring the salinity down (by adding fresh watter (dechlorinated of course), or should I do it gradually (how gradually?).

Thanks a lot,
Mihai

 

[Len]

Mihai,

1) Most things are pretty tolerant of high and low salinity and likely are still alive, so long as it's not sudden, which goes to say that you should ....
2) lower the salinity slowly. It's osmotic shock that is the real killer, and if you drop you salinity really quickly, you'll likely kill some critters. Add water gradually to bring it back to the old water level (where the salinity should be where you want it to be). I recommend you use reverse osmosis water or distilled water. If you don't own a RO filter, it's highly recommneded. Not only will it do your fish and corals a huge service, but you'll have great, cheap drinking water too

 

[Mihai]

Thanks a lot Len,

I'll definetly buy an RO/DI. BTW, do you know which is the cheapest reasonable one - I only have a 90 g tank.

I started curing the LR in my garage in the mean time with dechlorinated water, but I'll get the RO/DI.

One more wish: can you change my screen name from msichiti
(my first initial and first 7 of my last name) to my first name,
Mihai?

Thank,
Mihai (not msichti )

 

[Anonymous]

Hey... We've got another LInux guy here?

 

[Len]

Your username has been changed. Email me if you have any problems ([email protected])

As for RO/DI, any one with a TFC membrane will work well for you. Check our sponsors; most have great units for $100 or less. In the long run, this will save you a lot of money and trouble. Believe me

 

[Mihai]

Thanks a bunch for the advice on salinity, RO and for the screen change. I feel much better about it now. I'll certainly check out the sponsors, they are supporting a GREAT site (the best I've seen so far).

I've been adding fresh water (probably about 5-10% in the last 3 hours) and it's still out of scale. I'd be so surprised if anything made it.

That was so stupid. I saw that the water level went down, it just didn't occur that the salinity increased - stupid, stupid, stupid.

SeaMaiden ... doesn't sound like Linux to me What, a guy can't have more than one weird hobby ?

Best regards,
Mihai

 

[taikonaut]

It can be a debateable issue, but I do water change during LR curing almost every other day. If the A/N/N is out of scale, dump the water and mix a new batch for the rock.