Salinity Low

Hey Guys,

I did a water change yesterday for my 10 gallon tank and my salinity is way low at 1.018 and I did another water change today to fix it with stronger salt content, but it hasn't changed yet. Can anyone help?

 

Just slowly add tiny amounts of salt to your tank. Don't rush it or you'll shock your tank. You may also want to wait a few hours after adding salt just to make sure its dissolved. I normally wouldnt recommend adding salt directly to your tank, but it shouldnt hurt.

 

You can slowly add a little salt at a time into the tank (1/4th cup) to increase it. I use about a 1/2 cup for my 24 gallon.

Swish your hand around as your adding the salt and dont put it in quick....slowly pour it in


Good luck!

 

Just do your top-offs with saltwater instead of fresh. Its the safest, easiest way.
BTW, are you using a refractometer or hydrometer?

 

I am using a hydrometer

 

I would check your hydrometer too. I have on more then one occasion seen one that did not read right. I personally had one fail and saw someone elses also. Mine still worked but it was reading 1.021 all the time and in reality it was over 1.030. My lfs tried mine against his and found that problem for me.

 

+1. Those things are notoriously inaccurate. I would suck it up and spend the $40 bucks on a decent refractometer. One of the best equipment purchases you can make for your tank.

 

What kind of hydrometer? Instant oceans tend to read way off, but they also seem to be the most common. I would get a coralife if you don't already have one. Do you have corals or other invertebrates? If you don't this is not nearly as bad as situation as if you do.