Water salinity

[Shawn_epicurious]

I need to ask a question about water salinity... and I’m kind of afraid to ask. Because I think I know what you guys are gonna say and if I’m right... it means I need to break ties with the guy I have been working with... my LSF guy.

I know most of you probably make your own water. I don’t. At least, not yet. The water I have been buying... the salinity has been dropping. The water he just delivered is 1.022. Should I keep buying it? It feels like I shouldn’t.

 

[DeniableArc]

G’day from Australia! I believe some fish shops keep a low salinity like that just for fish only for some control reason but that is to low for a reef tank cheers

 

[TripleTruble]

Yeah that is on the low end for a reef tank for sure

 

[vetteguy53081]

Too low. Store is likely running Hyposalinity ( low salt) for disease prevention and should know better than to sell you seawater that needs added salt.
1.025 is good

 

[LDog74]

It’s also more profitable for him at a lower salinity, shady IMO...

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

G’day from Australia! I believe some fish shops keep a low salinity like that just for fish only for some control reason but that is to low for a reef tank cheers

Thought so... thanks

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

It’s also more profitable for him at a lower salinity, shady IMO...

Shady... yeah... it’s not the first time it felt that way... live and learn.

thank you

 

[mike550]

I need to ask a question about water salinity... and I’m kind of afraid to ask. Because I think I know what you guys are gonna say and if I’m right... it means I need to break ties with the guy I have been working with... my LSF guy.

I know most of you probably make your own water. I don’t. At least, not yet. The water I have been buying... the salinity has been dropping. The water he just delivered is 1.022. Should I keep buying it? It feels like I shouldn’t.

I’d start by asking if the LFS knows it’s selling 1.022 and if so why.

As others have mentioned some LFS run hyposalinity because it reduces the risk of disease. Honestly, I’m not sure if it’s bad for the fish, and if you’re going to run as a “fish only” tank then 1.022 might be okay. If you plan to have any coral etc then you need to raise it to 1.025 range.

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

Too low. Store is likely running Hyposalinity ( low salt) for disease prevention and should know better than to sell you seawater that needs added salt.
1.025 is good

I think it may be time for me to learn how to do my own water..

but, wait... are you saying I can add salt to it? How long would I have to wait after adding salt before I can use it for a water change?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I think it may be time for me to learn how to do my own water..

but, wait... are you saying I can add salt to it? How long would I have to wait after adding salt before I can use it for a water change?

Add a 1/2 measuring cup of salt and see what the new salinity is - should be 1.024-1.025. if one 1/2 cup isn't enough, add another 1/2 cup and see what it is. Once you reach salinity, you will know how much sea mix is required to reach desired salinity level

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

I’d start by asking if the LFS knows it’s selling 1.022 and if so why.

As others have mentioned some LFS run hyposalinity because it reduces the risk of disease. Honestly, I’m not sure if it’s bad for the fish, and if you’re going to run as a “fish only” tank then 1.022 might be okay. If you plan to have any coral etc then you need to raise it to 1.025 range.

My tank is a mixed reef... he sold me most of my livestock. ...he knows it should be 1.025...

 

[Phildago]

No, the water should be 1.027. Don't buy it, he's skimping out and cutting corners

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

Add a 1/2 measuring cup of salt and see what the new salinity is - should be 1.024-1.025. if one 1/2 cup isn't enough, add another 1/2 cup and see what it is. Once you reach salinity, you will know how much sea mix is required to reach desired salinity level

I will do that tomorrow! It’s either that or throw out 50 gallons of water (I have a 55 gallon drum with a pump and a long hose)

you rock! Thank you!

 

[Fishingandreefing]

First what did you use to check the salinity, second find out from them to see if they are honest. Third, for corals, you need at least 1.023.

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

First what did you use to check the salinity, second find out from them to see if they are honest. Third, for corals, you need at least 1.023.

I used what is in the pic... when I saw how low my salinity was after a water change, I kinna freaked out a little... so, I tested what was in the barrel... it was 1.022. I had trouble believing it, so went to a different store to calibrate it. I came home and his water was 1.022...

 

[Phildago]

That's good to use. Just make sure you calibrate at the desired salinity, not with rodi.

Its good to either buy or make a standard 35 ppt solution to use for this purpose

 

[mike550]

I will do that tomorrow! It’s either that or throw out 50 gallons of water (I have a 55 gallon drum with a pump and a long hose)

you rock! Thank you!

If it’s 55G you may end up adding a few cups of salt. But as @vetteguy53081 said just add 1/2 cup at a time.

In the future I’d either try to use the same salt that the LFS is using or else as you‘re already seeing it’s better to make your own RODI so you have complete control over the saltwater going into your tank. I’ve heard stories of LFS making changes to their water or having other issues that end up in customer tanks.