Trouble maintaining correct salinity

[Kaz]

Hi all,

I'm hoping someone can help with a problem I am having maintaing the salinity level in my tank. I am new to this & this is my first tank so I'm lookig for all the help I can get & am happy to learn from others mistakes

I am currently cycling my tank which at the moment only contains live rock & sand (+ 250 litres of water).

I noticed 2 days ago that the level had dropped below the acceptable range so when I topped the tank up to cater for evaporation I added salt mix aswell, whilst being careful to check that the water I added was at the correct salinity level.

Anyway, when I checked today, the salinity has gone through the roof. Any suggestions as to a best course of action would be greatly welcomed plus any tips on ensuring that this doesn't happen again.

Thanks

 

[Arch01]

How are you measuring your salinity? Could be a calibration problem or something.
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[Kaz]

I am using a Deep Six Specific Gravity Meter. I guess it's possibly claibration but I also have a hydrometer which also shows hig levels.

 

[Anonymous]

It does sound like a problem with our hydrometer - when you noticed the level was low, did you measure with the deep six or the floater?

 

[Kaz]

I originally measured with the hydrometer as this was all I had when I started out. Then I got the deep six & used that to verify. This confimed that the level was low, so when I topped up the tank I added saltmix.

Is the best way of bringing the salt level down to gradually add fresh water to the tank or should I be looking at doing a water change?

I am a bit concerned that I have not been able to maintain the salt level at consistent level yet so just want to understand more about other peoples experiences of keeping it balanced.

 

[procell]

you added salt to your top off.

WHen the water evaporates , the salt stays in the tank. just use fresh water (RO/DI)

I'd siphon out some water , a gallon at a time , and add fresh water , waiting a bit for the saltinity to adjust , check the levels , and repeat if needed.


(edit: whoops , re-read your post , didn't see the SALT level was low prior to you adding water , so err , nevermind me)

 

[Anonymous]

I originally measured with the hydrometer as this was all I had when I started out. Then I got the deep six & used that to verify. This confimed that the level was low, so when I topped up the tank I added saltmix.

Maybe you added too much salt.

Is the best way of bringing the salt level down to gradually add fresh water to the tank or should I be looking at doing a water change?

You have to do a water change to lower the level, gradually adding fresh water will only maintain the current level.

I am a bit concerned that I have not been able to maintain the salt level at consistent level yet so just want to understand more about other peoples experiences of keeping it balanced.

What ind of swings are you talking about?

In a tank without auto top off, you are going to have swings.

 

[Kaz]

Thanks heaps for your info on this. I'll do a water change at the weekend & see how I go from there.

Just in reponse to your question on what sort of swings I had been seeing, they haven't been massive but just enough that I felt the need to try & bring it back into line. Marginally outside the accepted range.

This is probably a dumb question but I have never heard of auto top off so could you tell me what it is?

 

[Anonymous]

Auto top off is some kind of system that automatically adds fresh water to your tank as water evaporates keeping the salinity stable. Usually done with a float switch, float valve or siphon.

Do you have numbers on the swings? If they aren't that big, they aren't that big a deal. How much evaporation are you dealing with per day?

 

[WRASSER]

Kaz, are you making your own salt water?

 

[Anonymous]

I originally measured with the hydrometer as this was all I had when I started out. Then I got the deep six & used that to verify. This confimed that the level was low, so when I topped up the tank I added saltmix.

Is the best way of bringing the salt level down to gradually add fresh water to the tank or should I be looking at doing a water change?

I am a bit concerned that I have not been able to maintain the salt level at consistent level yet so just want to understand more about other peoples experiences of keeping it balanced.

My advise would be to invest in a refractometer. You can get them from Premium Aquatics http://www.premiumaquatics.com/ for almost nil. It'll be one of the best and most used tools you'll invest in.

I also read the first post wrong.

 

[mopecula]

Kaz, just a thought I had. Another thing that would cause some fluctuation in your salt level is the temp. of the water. Just another idea check the temp. and make sure it is level or stays pretty much the same. I understand that if you use a refractometer that it will self calibrate to the temp of the water your that your testing and you get a good reading all the time. I do not use one never seen the need to spend the money. Hope this helps in some way.
Mo

 

[Anonymous]

Kaz, just a thought I had. Another thing that would cause some fluctuation in your salt level is the temp. of the water. Just another idea check the temp. and make sure it is level or stays pretty much the same. I understand that if you use a refractometer that it will self calibrate to the temp of the water your that your testing and you get a good reading all the time. I do not use one never seen the need to spend the money. Hope this helps in some way.
Mo

That's right, which is why I also use and recommend a refractometer which automatically compensates for temperature differences! Truly the best $40 I ever spent in the hobby.

 

[Anonymous]

FWIU, swing are hydrometers do not need temp correction in the normal temp range of reef tanks.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-07/rhf/

 

[Anonymous]

FWIU, swing are hydrometers do not need temp correction in the normal temp range of reef tanks.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-07/rhf/

Good article Righty, however I take the final paragraph as cautionary with regard to temp/salinity/standard hydrometers...

Hydrometers are an inexpensive and easy way to measure salinity in marine aquaria. In order to most effectively use hydrometers, aquarists need to know when they should apply a temperature correction to the hydrometer reading to get an accurate specific gravity reading, and when this isn't necessary. This article should enable aquarists to properly apply such corrections.

I guess I'd rather not chance a misreading, and the refractometer makes it easy.

 

[Kaz]

Thanks guys, lots of good advice here - much appreciated