Hydrometer-- low gravity

Hey guys.

I finally got my light in the mail, woohoo! Unfortunately when I tested my water today the gravity was super low. How should I raise it? Should I just add salt water...?

I'm eager to get everything set so I can buy my fish! ;D

 

What is the SG? If the tank is still empty you can just add salt and wait for it to dissolve, but if you have sand, rock, or anything live in it you can do it via water change. Take some water out and add very salty water back to replace it. Also, is the tank cycled? If not you still have a ways to go before adding any fish.

 

Thanks! I went to petco and bought some ocean water to put in. I also added more purified bottled water with a higher salt content. It was 1.018 and is now 1.0205. Is that okay? The water and live rock has been running in the tank for about 3 weeks now.

 

I wouldnt raise it more than you have in 24 hours. Since you have no actual creatures I would recommend just doing your top offs with salt water. What your SG should be at really depends on what type of tank. 1.023 for fish only and 1.026 for reef is what I would recommend.
On a serious note I would immediately stop with the DeathCo water (and honestly, basically everything from there). You need to be using a high quality salt mix, or you are never going to be able to get your parameters right. Find yourself a good, friendly, knowledgeable, family owned fish store that's not a huge national torture and bad information chain. Just my two cents

 

I'd let it sit for another week and get the SG up to around 1.025. A refractometer will give you more accurate SG or PPT readings for your salinity.
Forgot what size your tank is?
I use Instant Ocean salt. Petco and Petsmart even carry it.

 

Yeah I used the Instant Ocean salt mix to set the tank up and then bought "Ocean Water" from PetCo to top it off today, I figured actual Ocean water is better than a mix. It's a 34 gallon tank.

 

It's the only business they get from me (Instant Ocean I mean).

I just recently switched to a refractometer from a hyrdrometer. I LOVE it, mostly because it's a lot cleaner of a process.

A good quality mix is superior to "Ocean Water" from PetC

Congrats on the new tank!

I also agree with the earlier comment to just top off with salt water until your SG is right (1.025ish) and then using fresh again.

Do you mean your cycle kick start fish? That will be fun! Post pics when you get it.

 

What fish should i get for the cycle kick start?

 

Lots of folks use blue damsels or yellow tailed blue damsels. They're real hardy.

Some folks use chromi's because they're cheaper. I don't think these survive the cycle as often as the damsels...

Whatever you get, you very well may lose it. Remember that. :-/

 

A yellow tail damsel will almost always survive the cycle from what I have seen. Myself and Kogle cycled with false percs and they survived perfectly healthy, they are a relative of damsels.