Salinity

[cyeater]

I just got my refractometer the other day, final got a chance to check it out and use it, it shows my salinity is 1.030, how would I go about getting this down, I used my deep six hydrometer and it said the salinity was 1.025.....I followed all calibration instructions.....what is the best way to get the salinity down to about 1.025????


Tank: 75 Gallons
Live Rock: 10lbs
Livestock: 2 Blue Damsels

 

[Andrew]

Just take some of the tank water out and replace it with freshwater.

 

[cyeater]

How much water should I remove? at any given one time?

 

[Andrew]

I would remove say a gallon or so until you get a lower SG. Just like a water change or topping off.

 

[cyeater]

How long should I water after I took out some tank water and added ro water to retest?

 

[Andrew]

Just wait a few minutes for the powerheads to mix up the water some and than just test it again.

 

[cyeater]

still too high its been 4 hours and no change....whats the next step switch out more water?

Could there be undissolved salt in the sand bed?

 

[old salty]

Lower it over a period of a few days not hours. If you have an auto top-off, remove a gallon and let the ATO fill it back up.

 

[cyeater]

just rechecked salinity with refract. it is down to 1.026, I will sit on this for a few days, I think my damsels are hardy enough to make the change.....I hope....

 

[drummereef]

Sounds good. 1.026 is the salinity of natural seawater. There is no data to prove we should keep our reefs otherwise. Remember, proper calibration is key with any refractometer. Don't trust the values of the 'pure water' calibration that most refractometers come with. Use the method below.


Reef Aquarium Water Parameters
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

Reef Aquarium Salinity: Homemade Calibration Standards
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.htm