First Water Change

Hello all,

I am about to do my first water change this weekend. I was looking for some tips or suggestions from the experts to help me from screwing up lol!

When im mixing salt. How much per gallon? Is there a ratio?

Thanks!!!

 

Different salt mixes a little differently. I use Red Sea Coral Pro salt and need to use a little over cups of salt per 5 gallons to get 1.026. Just get your refractometer out and test every 15 minutes or so to see if you need to add more salt. Once you get it at 1.026 wait 24 hours or so then do your WC.

 

reef crystals 5.5 cups makes 12 gallons at 1.026

 

Here's the best tip:

Match Specific Gravity/Salinity
Match pH
Match temperature

 

Okay thanks guys!

 

do not disturb your sandbed, just change the water column and maybe use a turkey baster first to clear the rocks of detritus, tiny unseen critters will take care of your sandbed for you.

 

Just did the change. When shoul i test??

 

I use a 18 gallon tote i marked inside a 5 gallon intervals!
1 for RODI water only
1 for mixing!

I then run a powerhead and heater in the mixing for at least 12 hours and make sure all param's are close to tank!

I then put the tote above my tank and syphon the new water into the tank with an airline! Takes about 2 hours for a 5 g change but oh well!

What are asking about testing for? I'd prob give it a few hours or so to let everything balance out though!

 

I did a 10g change and let the salt mix at 1.025 for 24hrs before adding in

 

perfect!