low salinity is it a problem?

[D3123K]

hey so my salinity levels have been really low during my first cycle im wondering if its a issue i plan to add salt water this weekend im just wondering if i need to do it asap?
Im about 2 weeks into my cycle im doing the shrimp method
WATER TESTS
9/2/2023
NITRITE: 1.0
AMMONIA: 2.0
NITRATE: 20
PH: 8.0
SALT: 1.005
9/6/2023
NITRITE: 0
AMMONIA: 0.25
NITRATE: 0
PH: 8

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Yes, keep salinity stable for a stable aquriam, 9/2/23 your 6 months in so your aquarium should be looking great

 

[vetteguy53081]

hey so my salinity levels have been really low during my first cycle im wondering if its a issue i plan to add salt water this weekend im just wondering if i need to do it asap?
Im about 2 weeks into my cycle im doing the shrimp method
WATER TESTS
9/2/2023
NITRITE: 1.0
AMMONIA: 2.0
NITRATE: 20
PH: 8.0
SALT: 1.005
9/6/2023
NITRITE: 0
AMMONIA: 0.25
NITRATE: 0
PH: 8

Raise it slowly as you can drop level quickly but the opposite for raising it
If no livestock yet - Youre ok.

 

[D3123K]

Raise it slowly as you can drop level quickly but the opposite for raising it
If no livestock yet - Youre ok.

awesome thank you

 

[RandyL]

Did it start ok and then drop? just Curious if it could be due to something other than just the initial mixing.

 

[CoralB]

Your nitrates need to come up from zero , your salinity need to come up, and your still showing a trace of ammonia . Any Idea what your phosphates are ?? Before you add fish try to get the ammonia to zero if you can and add them slowly as like one today another one a few days later or when if checking ammonia is still showing zero

 

[D3123K]

Did it start ok and then drop? just Curious if it could be due to something other than just the initial mixing.

Ya it was good but then I didn't have a ATO so I was just hand refilling it every few days with salt water then got scared my salt wad to high without checking it and then let it get really low and then added a bunch of distilled water which I assume dropped the levels drastically. I know have a ATO feeding the tank with salt water to bring the levels back up

 

[D3123K]

Your nitrates need to come up from zero , your salinity need to come up, and your still showing a trace of ammonia . Any Idea what your phosphates are ?? Before you add fish try to get the ammonia to zero if you can and add them slowly as like one today another one a few days later or when if checking ammonia is still showing zero

Ok sounds good I'm doing another test later today after work I will share the results here

 

[D3123K]

Your nitrates need to come up from zero , your salinity need to come up, and your still showing a trace of ammonia . Any Idea what your phosphates are ?? Before you add fish try to get the ammonia to zero if you can and add them slowly as like one today another one a few days later or when if checking ammonia is still showing zero

i actually havent been testing for phosphates should i be?

 

[CoralB]

i actually havent been testing for phosphates should i be?

Yes ! , you want to make sure your not zeroed out or too high . Zeroed out can led to Dino’s

 

[D3123K]

Yes ! , you want to make sure your not zeroed out or too high . Zeroed out can led to Dino’s

Ok sounds good I'll go pick up a test kit. Off topic would you say this is 10 or 20?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Yes ! , you want to make sure your not zeroed out or too high . Zeroed out can led to Dino’s

He's 2 weeks into his first cycle!

Absolutely no need to test phosphates yet!
(Not a bad idea to start accumulating supplies for the future, but don't bother testing for phosphates until your tank is actually supporting life - and even then, things will fluctuate quite a bit for a few months)

 

[Uncle99]

It’s API.
Could be anything

 

[D3123K]

It’s API.
Could be anything

oh god lol hannah checkers coming soon

 

[Uncle99]

oh god lol hannah checkers coming soon

There you go!
7-8 right pic, 5 on the left.

 

[D3123K]

Your nitrates need to come up from zero , your salinity need to come up, and your still showing a trace of ammonia . Any Idea what your phosphates are ?? Before you add fish try to get the ammonia to zero if you can and add them slowly as like one today another one a few days later or when if checking ammonia is still showing zero

9/9/2023
NITRITE: 0
AMMONIA: 0
NITRATE: 20
PH: 8.0
SALT: 1.005

Todays test once those salt levels come up i think im ready for fish. Do i need to wait for the shrimp to fully decompose?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

9/9/2023
NITRITE: 0
AMMONIA: 0
NITRATE: 20
PH: 8.0
SALT: 1.005

Todays test once those salt levels come up i think im ready for fish. Do i need to wait for the shrimp to fully decompose?

You are not ready for fish with salinity that low!!

 

[D3123K]

You are not ready for fish with salinity that low!!

i know lol thats why i said once those salt levels come up lol

 

[D3123K]

just noticed the shrimp is gone lol

 

[CoralB]

just noticed the shrimp is gone lol

What size tank ? what type of filtration do you have ? . How much rock do you have ? It’s important to have patience in this hobby . I would wait till you are sure you can maintain parameters correctly and steady .your tank will have to mature and properly cycle . Give yourself another week or two . Have you added any bottled bacteria ? What does the tank look like ?is it cloudy or clear .are you using RODI water to make your tank water and for your evaporation replacement water ? . BRS supply has helpful videos on you tube that I would encourage you to watch as you go .