Does anyone know how to adjust the salt in a salt water fish tank?

Question

The salt gravity needs to go up. But the water level is topped off so I can just add salty water and if I do. How much and what ratio? Please help!

Answer 1

You need to add more salt without adding more water. Remove some water from the tank, mix in additional salt and pour that back into the tank. Continue until you reach the specific gravity you need for the tank.

MM

Answer 2

You didn't give the volume of your tank.You basically have two options: Drain off some of the water thats in the tank and add premixed salt water to replace it, or buy some marine salt from your local fish store and add in small increments. It depends on the size of your tank and the current specific gravity. Once you add say a cup or two, allow the salt to disolve for about 24 hours to get a more accurate reading. The type of filter you have is also something to consider. If you have one that hangs on the back of the tank , I would add the salt to the filter box so that the constant current will disolve the salt in a more timely fashion. There really is no scientific method to adjusting the salt content (specific gravity) of your tank. There are many factors to consider. If after 24 hours the SG is still low add more salt. If it is still low, you can add a little more. Once you maintain a marine (saltwater) aquarium for awhile, you'll begin to get a feel for it. By the way SG ( specific gravity) should be in the range of 1.019-1.023 for the healthiest levels. A note to remember is, water will continue to evaporate from your tank. As the water evaporates, the salt is left behind. So when topping off your tank, use plain ole RO water. I use store bought drinking water in one gallon jugs to top off my tanks. Never use tap water for topping off your tanks, as the chlorine/chloramine levels are harmful to martine life. I hope this helps you. If you need more info you can email me if you like. Good luck!

Answer 3

It depends on the size of your tank you need oceanic salt. Anyway check your specific gravity (SG) levels and make sure it's up in the 1.023-1.026 area if it's higher then that then you need to remove some water out of the tank and add fresh water. but if it's less then that you need to add salt to your tank, once you have added salt to your tank check the SG again to see where your levels are. Aways monitor your tank at least once a week, you might want to invest in a kit that checks your all levels like your nitrates, ammonia, PH, No2, No3, levels in your tank. And in my opinion salt water is better than fresh water. Salt water stays cleaner, you also would want to get hermit crabs, and a skunk cleaner shrimp, they really keep your tank clean.
Good Luck with your tank
Thanks Ms. Jay

Answer 4

Yes! 20 + years of experience in this field! I love my fishes. I have 8 saltwater tanks............................DO NOT ADD SALT DIRECTLY TO YOUR TANK!!!!!! Syphon 20% water from your tank for a normal water change. Us a bucket and fill with water from your tap. Premix your salt. Use your hydrometer to register you salinity... This is important so listen carefully....... If your water in your tank say is at1.018. You have to bring the saltinity up slowly. To fast will kill your fish! OUCH! Very expensive mistake to make.Mix your salt so it will be ,02 higher than in your tank. So it the saltinity is at 1.018 mix the salt in the bucket to 1.020, mix the salt well and test with hydrometer. Let water set 1/2 hour to make sure all salt is disolved. retest the water with hydrometer to make sure you are no the mark... Fill hydrometer with water, tap the hydrometer on the counter to knock off all bubbles so your read will be accurate. If you do not do this each time you use your hydometer, The read could be wrong. The salinity could be way higher than you think and bingo a bunch of stressed out fish that will die. I made this mistake 20 years ago, when I first got into saltwater and I am telling you I killed a hundred fish in one shot in my 2000 gallon aquarium. I cried for a week and I will never forget it. That was over 2000.00 in fish! add about a forth of the bucket to your tank. Use your hydrometer again to make sure the first read was right and you were on the money... Go back in add a little more salt to bring it up .02 so your read on the (This was the example I used earlier.Your read in the actual tank may be higher or lower, This was just an example.1.018 saltinity, This was what you started at and you brought it up to .02 so when you added the 1/4 bucket a minute ago,that bucket was at 1.020.) This round your saltinity will be 1.022. Mix well. Use your hydrometer to make sure you are right (tap it) In 1/2 hour after your added the first batch of water you will add another 1/4 water. Check the saltinity again in the aquarium. Make sure you are right. You will continue to do this till you get your saltinity to around. 1.025. Fish do best in this. and inverts need this saltinty to live in. Remember when you buy your fish to check the salinity in the bag before you add them to your tank. Do this the same way. Float them a 1/2 hour in the bag with the LIGHT OFF> This will burn your fish in the bag being so close to the light... Even if the light is not bright or powerful like halide light. Doesn't matter! Turn it off. Open bag. check saltinty in the bag, add small amounts of water every 20 minutes or so until the water in the bag is within .02. of your water. As the bag get full, Dump some water out in the sink NOT the tank, and keep going till you get within .02 of your water. If at any time when mixing salt if it is higher than you need it just add water to dilute it a little, Remember to water that evaporates from your tank DO NOT lose saltinity, just add water...... Hope this helped. Good luck! Julie P.S. add stress coat when changing water to declorate it and when adding new fish...

Answer 5

take some water out of your tank like a gallon and add some salt to it like a few cups you should have the gravity about 1.023-1.025