Help me please

[scaredmantisshrimp]

Started a manage shrimp tank last week along with a 2 domino damsels and one morning I did a salinity test and it shot up to 1040. Reasonably I started panicking , and since I had no conditioner on me. I removed about half of my water and dumped in freshwater strait from the tap. I know this sounds stupid, but I tested my tapwater and it came back no nitrates, nitrates or ammonia. What I didn’t know was I had to wait. I only waited for a minute. ( that’s what was recommended.)
But as I wrapped up, I came back to look at the test and it shot up to 50 for nitrates 10 for nitrates and five for ammonia (it didn’t give me the unit of measurement) I immediately bought and used beneficial bacteria did a 10% water change. It helped a little bit, but I’m not sure if I should take all of the water out and restart. it is probably worth mentioning that I have a 30 gallon tank and my mantis shrimp is showing signs of molting. at this point, I am so confused. I’m not sure if I should just quit and pass it on to someone else. I am really confused and now I see why shrimp isn’t recommended for beginners. It might also be worth mentioning that this is my first saltwater tank and any fish tank in over a year. also, I’m not sure if he’s molting or just adjusting because they had him in a one by one before I bought him about the size of someone’s face. please let me know what I should do. i’m currently debating between a full water change, plants, or giving up. :(

 

[lubeck]

My vote is regular water changes. Maybe do 2-3 50% water changes and keep an eye on things. Continue to test

 

[scaredmantisshrimp]

All at once or how long should I wait between water changes

 

[raythereefer]

Are you replacing the water you are losing to condensation ? Would explain the rise in salinity. Maybe the tank never properly cycled to begin with. What filtration do you have on the tank ?

 

[scaredmantisshrimp]

Are you replacing the water you are losing to condensation ? Would explain the rise in salinity. Maybe the tank never properly cycled to begin with. What filtration do you have on the tank ?

Tetra wispger iq 45 gallons

 

[raythereefer]

Tetra wispger iq 45 gallons

Not an expert on mantis shrimp but can imagine they are messy eaters. Probably just have to keep on top of it with water changes. Do you have an ato ?

 

[scaredmantisshrimp]

I don’t know what an ato but I have a protein skimmer and damselfish to clean up his mess

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I don’t know what an ato but I have a protein skimmer and damselfish to clean up his mess

Ato means auto top off. This auto tops off water that evaporates in your tank either by a mechanical means or by digital means

 

[lubeck]

Have you been adding fresh RODI water daily to deal with evaporation

 

[SpartaReef]

First dont panic
Grab your towel
Got your towel?
Ok...

Now go the the section of the forum that is for beginners and start reading. Theres a lot of ways to do this. But as with anything, there are best practices too and they also will vary by person... but one can still narrow down a list of what avaerages out.

Most would say, you need rodi, not tap water. Condotioners are chemicals that bind certain parts of tap water that make it test like ro water... the elements are still in the water... so i dont recommend.

Either top off daily at approximately the same time or get an ato (automatic top off).

Atbthis point the more you try to fix it the more unstable your tank will become. Stability is key to success in this hobby. Take your time. Relax, and as long as everyone is happy and thriving inbyour tank, dont panic.

 

[JayM]

I'd love to help, but I honestly don't know what salinity at 1040 means. 1.040 maybe? If so, just remove some tank water and replace with RO/DI. Check and repeat as needed. Don't concern yourself with nitrates at the moment.

 

[BryanM]

So I think the #1 learning thing here for you is patience.

This statement doesn't work in this hobby "Reasonably I started panicking".

All you can do now is try to reverse the damage. I'd probably do 2 40-50% water changes a day for 2 days, at that point you know you've removed all of the bad tap water, etc.... or certainly most of it.

Then you just need to test, wait, and see.

RODI water is key. Just because you tested your tap water for nitrates doesn't mean there isn't a ton of other bad stuff in your tap water. Most often tap water kills tanks. Water is the life blood of our hobby and we need it to be as clean as we can reasonably get it.

 

[scaredmantisshrimp]

So I think the #1 learning thing here for you is patience.

This statement doesn't work in this hobby "Reasonably I started panicking".

All you can do now is try to reverse the damage. I'd probably do 2 40-50% water changes a day for 2 days, at that point you know you've removed all of the bad tap water, etc.... or certainly most of it.

Then you just need to test, wait, and see.

RODI water is key. Just because you tested your tap water for nitrates doesn't mean there isn't a ton of other bad stuff in your tap water. Most often tap water kills tanks. Water is the life blood of our hobby and we need it to be as clean as we can reasonably get it.

Thank you, I was very scared and worried for my mantis’s life so I thought I had to act fast, I thought he could die at any moment

 

[scaredmantisshrimp]

First dont panic
Grab your towel
Got your towel?
Ok...

Now go the the section of the forum that is for beginners and start reading. Theres a lot of ways to do this. But as with anything, there are best practices too and they also will vary by person... but one can still narrow down a list of what avaerages out.

Most would say, you need rodi, not tap water. Condotioners are chemicals that bind certain parts of tap water that make it test like ro water... the elements are still in the water... so i dont recommend.

Either top off daily at approximately the same time or get an ato (automatic top off).

Atbthis point the more you try to fix it the more unstable your tank will become. Stability is key to success in this hobby. Take your time. Relax, and as long as everyone is happy and thriving inbyour tank, dont panic.

Thank you, I’m trying to find an rodi but I don’t want to to go over 180, is that possible or should I buy premixed saltwater

 

[BryanM]

Thank you, I was very scared and worried for my mantis’s life so I thought I had to act fast, I thought he could die at any moment

Mantis shrimp are hardy.

 

[scaredmantisshrimp]

Mantis shrimp are hardy

Ik, but he was molting and I was scared to lose him

 

[SpartaReef]

First dont panic
Grab your towel
Got your towel?
Ok...

Now go the the section of the forum that is for beginners and start reading. Theres a lot of ways to do this. But as with anything, there are best practices too and they also will vary by person... but one can still narrow down a list of what avaerages out.

Most would say, you need rodi, not tap water. Condotioners are chemicals that bind certain parts of tap water that make it test like ro water... the elements are still in the water... so i dont recommend.

Either top off daily at approximately the same time or get an ato (automatic top off).

Atbthis point the more you try to fix it the more unstable your tank will become. Stability is key to success in this hobby. Take your time. Relax, and as long as everyone is happy and thriving inbyour tank, dont panic.

Thank you, I’m trying to find an rodi but I don’t want to to go over 180, is that possible or should I buy premixed saltwater

Unsure... research what the filters consist of and if you are creative you might be able to make your own rodi filter more cheaply.