whats goin on

ok i need advice. how is the best way to keep your specific gravity consistent. my sg was 1.025 and i just checked it and it was 1.028...what the f*&%. and my test are all over the place.


jul 12th

ph 8.2
alk low -norm
ammonia 0.25
nitrite 0.05
nitrate 0

jul 18th

ph 8.2
alk low - norm
ammonia 0.25
nitrite 0.2
nitrate 5.0


could adding liverock have done this?

 

When is the last time you topped off your tank with fresh water? As the water evaporates the salt remains in the tank water making it more salty, if you add freshwater once and a while it should keep it at an acceptable ammount.

 

I Added Fresh Water Last Night And My Sg Is 1.023. R The Perameters Supposed To Change Like This?

 

my guess is that by adding the live rock you displaced the water level some. Which may have made you think your tank didnt evaporate water over a few days, when the live rocks mass just made up for the difference.

Other than that, I'm at a loss.

ADD: unless you removed some saltwater and replaced it with fresh, your SG should be the same. Also, what type of device do you have to measure your SG? Some types are able to collect tiny bubbles on their float that will certainly make your reading higher than what it really is.

 

to keep the salt level even and steady (low), you have to top off freshwater. Of course, if you top off saltwater, it is gonna raise it because of the evap.

Looks like your tank is not fully cycled.

 

What are you using to test your s.g.?
Is it the swing arm (not very accurate) or another method.
A floating hydrometer or a refractometer are your best bet.

Jim

 

I recently bought a refractometer for $65 and found it to be a great investment. My swing arm measured sg 1.025 and the refractometer said 1.028. Good bye swing arm.

 

What ever you do to lower your salinity, do it slowly or you will stress and possibly lose livestock!

 

I Think My Water Was Evaporated But As Stated Above When I Added My Liverock It Made It Seem Like There Was No Evaporation. I Took Some Water Out And Added Conditioned Freshwater And It's Now Down To 1.023. I Guess My Tank Is Still Cycling As My Readings Are Still Changing. My Ammonia Is Almost At 0 But The Nitrites And Nitrates Are Still Up There. Should I Not Add Anymore Liverock For A While...i Wanted To Add One More Piece To Finish It Off. My Hubby Is Anxious To Get Some Crabs But I Told Him We Had To Wait...was I Right. God I'm Getting A Little Fustrated...so Much Info. Also I Found Out A Lot Of People In This Area Use Tap Water(even The People At Lfs) Apparently Our Water Is Really Good...guess It Depends On Where You Are Located. Thanks All.

 

I would wait a little before adding critters... IMO LR is ok though. just make sure its cured or you'll be adding to your nitrites and nitrates.

I think the great kingfish Matt said it best... Go slow let it grow.

Marc.