Made a big mistake need help fast.

[cdemoss01]

Hello,
Just did a 15 gallon water change but only have 12 gallons. Poured it all in and all I have is 2.2 gallons of ro water should I pour that in to top off?

 

[Lavey29]

Test you salinity

 

[Shnetts]

Put as much as you can without dropping salinity more than .002 then try and get to your LFS as soon as possible!

 

[cdemoss01]

Put as much as you can without dropping salinity more than .002 then try and get to your LFS as soon as possible!

Should I pour dirty water back in? It’s only a gallon or two.

 

[EricR]

Did you already dump the saltwater that you pulled out?
If not, I'd just put some of that back in.

Otherwise, I'd be buying salt or saltwater wherever you can.
*Salinity check as previous posts said if you can get away with a slight drop

 

[cdemoss01]

Did you already dump the saltwater that you pulled out?
If not, I'd just put some of that back in.

Otherwise, I'd be buying salt or saltwater wherever you can.
*Salinity check as previous posts said if you can get away with a slight drop

Alright I’ll dump two gallons in then

 

[EricR]

Should I pour dirty water back in? It’s only a gallon or two.

That's what I'd do if you still have it -- which is what I was trying to say in my last post

 

[cdemoss01]

That's what I'd do if you still have it -- which is what I was trying to say in my last post

Alright I’ll do it then.

 

[Solo McReefer]

Are you saying you're out of RODI water?

If so, go to Walmart and buy 10 gallons of distilled

Or use Instacart and have someone go get it for you

They have it at CVS and those kind of stores. Some grocery stores sell it too

Buy two 5 gallon hedpack and keep one stocked with fresh RODI and the other with mixed up fresh salt water

Thank me later

 

[cdemoss01]

Are you saying you're out of RODI water?

If so, go to Walmart and buy 10 gallons of distilled

Or use Instacart and have someone go get it for you

They have it at CVS and those kind of stores. Some grocery stores sell it too

Buy two 5 gallon hedpack and keep one stocked with fresh RODI and the other with mixed up fresh salt water

Thank me later

Sadely I already poured the dirty water in. I had ro di 2.2 gallons of it. Quick question for you though as I was pouring in a bunch of sand got kicked up this water change is supposed to lower nitrates as they are at 80ppm will this make the changed obsolete.

 

[EricR]

My quick perspective is you basically ended up doing a 12 gallon water change instead of your planned 15.
*other factors like sediment and stirring up sand could come into play but I wouldn't think much of it, personally

 

[cdemoss01]

My quick perspective is you basically ended up doing a 12 gallon water change instead of your planned 15.
*other factors like sediment and stirring up sand could come into play but I wouldn't think much of it, personally

So don’t worry about it stirring up nitrates,

 

[EricR]

So don’t worry about it stirring up nitrates,

At this point, your next step is getting water and/or salt to continue with your plan, right?
*you mentioned 80 ppm nitrates so I assume you were planning multiple water changes anyway to try to get that down slowly to some other range that you had in mind

 

[cdemoss01]

At this point, your next step is getting water and/or salt to continue with your plan, right?
*you mentioned 80 ppm nitrates so I assume you were planning multiple water changes anyway to try to get that down slowly to some other range that you had in mind

Yep I’ve done two now. Weekly 15 gallons. Planning on doing two more than checking nitrates on top of this a aquavitro pad for nitrates.

 

[EricR]

Yep I’ve done two now. Weekly 15 gallons. Planning on doing two more than checking nitrates on top of this a aquavitro pad for nitrates.

To me, this just seems like a minor hiccup in your plan (which happens),,, not any major derail.

 

[cdemoss01]

To me, this just seems like a minor hiccup in your plan (which happens),,, not any major derail.

Thanks. I am beginning to give up on my nitrates it’s causing a lot of algae.

 

[cdemoss01]

My quick perspective is you basically ended up doing a 12 gallon water change instead of your planned 15.
*other factors like sediment and stirring up sand could come into play but I wouldn't think much of it, personally

Alright. Should I use chemicals to get nitrates down yet?

 

[Solo McReefer]

Sadely I already poured the dirty water in. I had ro di 2.2 gallons of it. Quick question for you though as I was pouring in a bunch of sand got kicked up this water change is supposed to lower nitrates as they are at 80ppm will this make the changed obsolete.

You made no change

 

[Solo McReefer]

Thanks. I am beginning to give up on my nitrates it’s causing a lot of algae.

Pull the algae out

That will pull the nitrate stored in it, out

 

[cdemoss01]

You made no change

Seriously?