Salt Mixing Q 2.5 cups per 5G bucket? Cleaning Routine

[gjustinj]

Hi Guys,

I am pretty excited as I think I get to add a pair of clowns in my tank tonight! But I am also concerned, because right after my cycle was completed I did a 50 Gallon water change, and when I did that I ended up pretty short on my salinity (I just purchased the refractometer). I understand that being even 2 points off can cause stress to fish or potentially kill it so this is the scariest part for me, because i do not want to lose my tank when doing 10-15% weekly water changes.

I asked around and it seems the going number is 2.5 cups per 5G bucket - is that true? I want to make sure I know exactly what number it is to help prevent wiping out my tank.

Also I heard that as long as you are doing 10-15% weekly changes, your filter (canister) only needs cleaned once every month or two. Also, your protein skimmer should be cleaned out daily. Is this all true?

Sorry for all of the questions and separate posts lately - im just trying to keep it a bit organized for myself

 

[WatDatThing]

Before putting new water into the tank, you should check to make sure the salinity is the same. This may require bring the temperature up to tank temperature depending on the volume.
Regarding the canister filter, I clean it every time I do a wc. It only take 5 minutes.

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[gjustinj]

Thanks! Yes I Def am doing my best at getting it right I'm just trying to figure out a system to help my numbers get there easier and less of chance of failure within my means

 

[mcgyvr]

In general many salts are 1/2C per gallon.. BUT only use that as a generic recommendation and ALWAYS test salinity before putting that water into the tank..

And there are no hard/fast rules for anything..
Clean filters when needed... Clean skimmer cup when needed..
I only need to dump the skimmer cup maybe once a week as I skim pretty "dry" so it takes that long to fill up the cup..
Someone could be skimming wet and need to empty the cup daily or hourly or whatever..

You need to understand whats required to maintain and a tank and DO NOT follow any generic guidelines (other than parameter wise) like you seem to be thinking you need to..

So get the salinity back up to 1.025-1.026 and go from there..

Read..Learn...Think..Understand.. Adapt/Adjust... That what makes you a human..

 

[gjustinj]

In general many salts are 1/2C per gallon.. BUT only use that as a generic recommendation and ALWAYS test salinity before putting that water into the tank..

And there are no hard/fast rules for anything..
Clean filters when needed... Clean skimmer cup when needed..
I only need to dump the skimmer cup maybe once a week as I skim pretty "dry" so it takes that long to fill up the cup..
Someone could be skimming wet and need to empty the cup daily or hourly or whatever..

You need to understand whats required to maintain and a tank and DO NOT follow any generic guidelines (other than parameter wise) like you seem to be thinking you need to..

So get the salinity back up to 1.025-1.026 and go from there..

Read..Learn...Think..Understand.. Adapt/Adjust... That what makes you a human..

Thanks! Yea I believe as I start to get into it I will learn more hands on but I'm still really new without any fish in there so I am trying to find 'general rules' to start with. Appreciate it

 

[TYC]

generally it's 1 cup of salt for every 2 gallons of water. The new water should always be tested/made for same salinity and temp as your display tank prior to doing the water change to avoid such parameter changes. Good luck, just be patient and go slow to avoid future headaches.

 

[gjustinj]

Tyc that sounds right to the 2.5 per 5g bucket but as everyone says it's always best to measure to make sure

 

[Potatohead]

A 5g bucket holds more like 5.75 gallons. Always, always check salinity before doing a water change. You will also need to make sure the newly mixed water is also the same temp as the display for checking.

 

[aaronwitt]

I'll usually start around 2-2.5 cups and then measure it after it mixes and adjust it to the salinity that I keep my tank at. I also put a heater in there while it's mixing to bring the water temperature to the same as my tank like people have said as well.

 

[riz94107]

A 5g bucket holds more like 5.75 gallons. Always, always check salinity before doing a water change. You will also need to make sure the newly mixed water is also the same temp as the display for checking.

I was pretty sure this was true, too, but I recently measured two of my buckets (by weight), and they both came out at nearly exactly 5gal! I guess the point is - check!

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[Bikerharold]

Be sure to follow the recommendations that come with the salt you purchase. And test after mixing to make sure readings are correct. Its easier to do it right the first time instead of trying to fix a problem you created. Cheaper to. Good luck, been there and done that.