Salt concentration help!

[Frankowen2]

So I have a 20 gallon reef aquarium that's been up since February and I've had very little issues with it. I usually do 5 gallon water changes every 2 weeks with deionized saltwater that my local store prepares, and do regular top-offs with fresh deionized that I also purchase from them. However about 2 weeks ago, some a-hole must have filled both containers with saltwater and now I've been unwittingly slowly raising the salt in my tank. I wasn't even going to test it because every other Wednesday is when I do the water change but I've got a flamefish goby acting real weird so I wanted to double check all of my parameters.

So basically, what can I do to lower my salt concentration safely? Should I just remove 5 gallons of saltwater and replace with 50/50 fresh/salt?

My salt reading is at around 1.030-1.032.

Thanks!

 

[Reef Frog]

Hopefully you're using a calibrated refractometer to determine that reading.

I would take out about 16 oz of water & replace it with fresh RODI water. Then measure it again after about 10 minutes and see where you stand. Repeat until you see the level drop by about 1.002. Repeat for the next few days until you get back into the proper range.

Fish can handle more rapid drops but some inverts and more sensitive corals need a more gradual drop. Good luck.

 

[Frankowen2]

Ok, great, thanks so much for your help!!

 

[Frankowen2]

Oh, and I'm using an Instant Ocean hydrometer. Is that a bad way to go?

 

[Shawn O]

One of the floating glass hydrometers will work better.

 

[Frankowen2]

Oh gotcha, I'll definitely pick one up. Thanks!

 

[Reef Frog]

Oh, and I'm using an Instant Ocean hydrometer. Is that a bad way to go?

Hydrometer are notorious for inaccuracy. So are refractometers that have not been calibrated. Get yourself a good refractometer & a bottle of reference solution. It's essential equipment IMO. Worth every penny.

 

[snorvich]

Hydrometer are notorious for inaccuracy. So are refractometers that have not been calibrated. Get yourself a good refractometer & a bottle of reference solution. It's essential equipment IMO. Worth every penny.

Absolutely

 

[billdogg]

Hydrometer are notorious for inaccuracy. So are refractometers that have not been calibrated. Get yourself a good refractometer & a bottle of reference solution. It's essential equipment IMO. Worth every penny.

Absolutely

And can be had for all of $50 or less.

 

[GimpyFin]

If you want to splurge a little, the Milwaukee digital refractometers are awesome and run about $100. They also don't need a special calibration solution (Just distilled or RO/DI water.)