Salinity and Cycling Question

[Volcmreefer]

Hello again RC! Quick question. Upon setting up my reef tank I monitored salinity on each batch of water with a calibrated refractometer (Milwaukee digital refractometer) and shot for 1.026 (sometimes I was a little low- 1.025). Well, when I checked my salinity in the DT after filling and running for a couple of days it is now 1.027.:twitch:

Question is, since the tank is cycling (diatoms present now) should I correct the salinity to 1.026 or wait until the cycle is done to remove water and ensure salinity is at 1.026.

I know I might be going overboard with asking the question but I try to be a perfectionist in this hobby. (Key word is TRY, LOL)

Thanks RC,

Jon

 

[Fish Everywhere]

Hello again RC! Quick question. Upon setting up my reef tank I monitored salinity on each batch of water with a calibrated refractometer (Milwaukee digital refractometer) and shot for 1.026 (sometimes I was a little low- 1.025). Well, when I checked my salinity in the DT after filling and running for a couple of days it is now 1.027.:twitch:

Question is, since the tank is cycling (diatoms present now) should I correct the salinity to 1.026 or wait until the cycle is done to remove water and ensure salinity is at 1.026.

I know I might be going overboard with asking the question but I try to be a perfectionist in this hobby. (Key word is TRY, LOL)

Thanks RC,

Jon

:lolspin: It's rare to find a new one in this hobby who actually is TOO careful, props to you!

As for your salinity, anything from 1.024-1.026 is fine IME. At that tiny of a swing, change it anytime you want, or don't change it at all. Won't make a difference. Just make sure it doesn't go above 1.026. Happy reefing!

 

[thegrun]

The bacteria is tolerant to high and low salinity, but it is best to keep the salinity stable by topping off the evaporated water with fresh to/di water. I would add enough water to bring the salinity back down to 1.026

 

[Volcmreefer]

Thanks guys. I will probably just remove a little display tank water and add freshwater to bring the salinity down. Does anyone know of a calculator that can be used to assist with doing this? Say, remove x# of gallons from __ gallons to drop salinity 0.001 ppm? Always wondered that when I mix my water change water and it is just a little too high. Not sure if there is such a thing but it would be cool if there was. Sometimes I end up guessing multiple times and wasting salt in the process.

 

[gone fishin]

https://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/Calculators/


The link should help you out.

BTW There will be some sort of daily evaporation from your tank and you will need to add freshwater water, preferably RO/DI, to keep the salinity from rising.

 

[Volcmreefer]

Those are awesome calculators! Thanks for sharing. I am aware of the evaporation though. I have had reefs for years, just haven't started one up in some time

Thanks again,

Jon

 

[cheucklate]

How big is the tank? Salinity will change via evaporation so unless you already have a ATO I wouldn't be so focused on maintaining an exact salinity for cycling. Bacteria colonies in my experience are super hardy anywhere from 1.009 - 1.030 salinity. Inverts and corals however need 1.023 - 1.026. Fish can tolerate 1.009 to 1.026.

Hope the numbers help.

 

[Volcmreefer]

Tank is 80 gallons with 29 gallon sump. With the DSB and 60 lbs of pukani I would say somewhere in the range of 75 gallons total water volume. I have space in my sump, so I just lifted my optical sensor on the Tunze ATO up a little and put some more FW in it. Still have a bunch of space in the event of a power failure so that my sump doesn't overflow. Salinity is still 1.027, so I might just wait until the cycling is done and adjust salinity on the water change so that I get 1.026 in the DT afterwards. Thoughts?