Raising salinity

[10GalReef]

I'm sitting at 1.023.. I would like to get back up to 1.026. I plan on adding corals in a few weeks.
I have a bucket mixing up at 1.026..should I go ahead and do a 15% water change? Or will this raise the salinity too quickly?
Phosphates at 0.25. Is that too high? I want to do the water change tomorrow. Could it hold off till then?
My clown seems happy he's eating like a pig.
Will be cutting back on dry food when I pick up mysis.

 

[GimpyFin]

You could do a small water change with 1.026 water and it will probably only take you up to 1.024 which is fine. Then over the next couple days you could do the same thing only just take a little existing tank water and mix some salt in with that (Just enough to maybe raise it another point) until you are at 1.026.

 

[Sk8r]

Don't rush into the coral setup until you have your water ready: for stony, set it at 420 calcium, 1350 magnesium, and 8.3 alk: set the mg first, then alk, then cal. Keep phosphates and nitrates down very, very low.

 

[jason2459]

I would just switch to that saltwater at 1.026 for top off instead of freshwater. It will slowly over the next couple weeks raise it to where you want it safely. I'd also continue with what ever normal water change schedule you plan to do. Once you hit your desired salinity levels switch back to freshwater for top off.

 

[10GalReef]

Ok that's what I'll do.. small water change and top off with salt water. Thanks
I only want softies but I'm in no rush.

 

[Mark9]

I wouldn't touch the ato.
Just add a 1/2 gallon or a gallon of sw a day until you reach your target.
Evaporation is your friend when raising salinity.

 

[snorvich]

I would just switch to that saltwater at 1.026 for top off instead of freshwater. It will slowly over the next couple weeks raise it to where you want it safely. I'd also continue with what ever normal water change schedule you plan to do. Once you hit your desired salinity levels switch back to freshwater for top off.

What he said.