A few newbie questions.. Please Look

[fishnewbie1234]

A few newbie questions


1) When I finish setting my tank how long should I do the fresh water leak test?
2) When add RO water for the first time in the tank (without salt) to I have to age it?
3) How do you mix your salt for the very first time, do you put RO water in the tank and dump same salt and keep checking to get the 1.026? (Mixing with PHââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s)
4) Does the water have to be a certain temp when we measure salinity?
5) When I add sand, can I run a Aqua clear filter to remove the fine grains and also help clearing the water up faster?
6) Can I use my Fresh water test, for the reef tank? I have Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Freshwater Master Test Kitââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦ (I have bought the Ca test as well)

Thank you for time guys..

 

[reefwick]

1.) I'm not too sure what you mean by "set" your tank but all you need to do is fill the tank with water (nothing else in it) for a week, maybe less. That'll be long enough to see if there's a leak.

2.) "Age it" ????? Huh?? no just put it in.

3.) I think most of us prefer to mix it before we put it in the tank.

4.) Depends on what your measuring it with. Hydrometer- yes I think so. Refractometer with ATC (automatic temperature compensation)- no

5.) Yes

6.) Get saltwater test kits. Salifert is a accurate and popular brand.

HTH

 

[Steve Gordon]

1. A week seems a bit extreme, I've never waited longer than overnight.
2. No need to age RO water. I assume you're thinking of letting tapwater sit so that chlorine can evap out, like in freshwater. RO water is already free of almost all contaminants.
3. You can do that when initially filling your tank since you won't have any animals in there, but after you stock the tank you should mix your saltwater in another container before adding to the tank.
4. Technically, yes. However, if your tank is being kept at a constant temp by a heater, then your results will always be consistent. I always just shoot for a SG of 1.024. It may not be as precise as some SPS reefers like, but if it's off a little bit either way it's still acceptable.
5. I've done this before and I would only recommend it if you are willing to destroy the filter. What will happen is the fine grains will settle in the filter and cause it to clog up. Then the motor will continue to run until it burns up.
6. Freshwater kits won't work for saltwater.

Hope this stuff helps, it's good that you're asking before you do it. Good luck with this.

 

[kamla]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6648963#post6648963 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Steve Gordon

6. Freshwater kits won't work for saltwater.

I think you are wrong here bro..
Both salt and fresh water test test from Aquarium Pharmaceuticals are the same..
i check their site it show one bottle and it says for Salt/Fresh..


Also do you guys think if their is a leak it should show up in 24 hrs..
1 week in a lot .. but it might catch a low leak...

Some else could confirm this.. (If i am wrong, Still learning..) HTH

 

[Steve Gordon]

Re: A few newbie questions.. Please Look

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6648479#post6648479 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishnewbie1234
I have Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Freshwater Master Test Kitââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦ [/B]

Notice that it's marked "Freshwater". They also sell a "Saltwater" Master Test Kit, which I have. I don't think they'd go to the trouble of selling two separate kits if the tests were the same.

 

[kamla]

Steve Check this thier site. http://www.aquariumpharm.com/aqtest.html

the packaging is different but the same tests....

 

[RandyP]

A test kit is a test kit....The only difference between fresh and salt water kit is the type of test you get in the package.....
With most saltwater kits you will get extra test like Calcium and just a high range ph test kit....in the freshwater kit you may get both high and low or just a low range ph test kit...But as far as Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate they are the same test when you buy these combo kits...
If it was me I would just bite the bullet and get all new Salifert test kits