thanks

Question
QUESTION: HI,  I have a 10 gallon Nano tank (I don't have carol inthe tank , just doing live rock and some shrimp for now incase you were wondering and yes I'm beginer)  for a two month, and I'm having a problem keeping the S.G. up to 1.024 ever time I do a water ( once a week) the salinity drops to 1.019. my animals alright , but  I really don't want this prblem to conitue. can you help me out? I'm going crazy with this issue. :0

ANSWER: Hi James,

Sorry for the delay in replying.. (Im having computer issues)

Smaller tanks are harder to keep salinity as the smallest issues are magnifed by the RATIO of salt to fresh water

LArger tanks wouldnt matter if 1/2 gallon of fresh water were dumped in, but a 10gallon tank would make that 1/2 gallon actually 5%


And part of the issues with getting fish and critters and all that when folks first setup a tank is actually for issues EXATLY like this... It has nothing to do with chemistry or 'cycling' or anything, but rather a relatively easi=y question...

Knowing this and other relatively basic issue is important, although it is basic...

(and no, Im not tryinig to be mean, or talk down or anything...and i apologize if I come across like that)

But, the issue is one of 'experience'... Once you understand and experience this and other 'basic' issues, it is something that really although 'common sense' ISNT common sense until you experience it...


(BTW:  I started a new forum at www.thelittleocean.com and we talk about this issue all the time there, and actually just finished  a subject just like this)

Anyways, the issue here is evaporation...

Saltwater does NOT evaporate.  BUT, fresh water does...

What happens is if you were to setup and mix and get the correct salinity, and had the water to the top of the tank, (mayb under or behind the plastic trim at the top of the tank)

Make sure the salinity is where you want it.. and adjust or add or subtract, and hopfully get the salinity (S.G.) to 1.025 and at the top of tank


Make a mark, or remember where that water level is, and what the salinity is...

Now, over time, if you didnt do water changes.. the water level will drop due to evaporation...

The FRESH WATER is evaporating.. This is raising the salinity in the water that is remaining...

If you were to add SALT WATER.. the tank water will increase in salinity exponentially... i.e. the S.G. is already high, then you add more salt water, making even higher...




to prevent this, what you need to do is to add fresh water BEFORE you do a saltwater change...

You can do this by adding Fresh water to raise the water level to the mark/line/trim that you verified previously...

Typically you would want to add fresh water often to minimize the changes to salinity..

If you waited days, then the tank salinity will gradually increase over those days..

And as you might already know,  corals like consistancy.. changes are not good..

You can add fresh water manually by adding filtered RO/DI water often, or you can buy and setup if I had a larger tank,  I will reccomend an AUTO TOP OFF device, that will add fresh water automatically..

And if i am going on vacation or something, I will want something to top off the tank for me


BUT, keep in mind, these types of 'devices' and equipment has risk.. if they break or something, It might cause problems inthe other direction... Add too much fresh water ..

Anyways, as you can see, although this is a basic concept, it can be 'involved' and 'over thought'

So, it can appeal to men and NOT men... hehehehehehe



Please log onto my new forum at www.thelittleocean.com  and introduce yourself...

Im sure you will find and meet other folks that are at a similar stage as you are...

IF not, please keep me posted here.

Good luck



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: HEY IT'S ALRIGHT  you didn't hurt my feelings LOl, the only reason i'm asking this quesion it just to make sure I was doing  everthing all right with my tank. plus I like to hear other people opion before I jump to a conclusion and just want say thanks for the advice and your opinion. :]

Answer
Hey James,

PLEASE  log onto my new forum at www.thelittleocean.com

There are a bunch of folks that are in similar stages of aquarium growth as you, along with many other more intermediate and advanced reefkeepers on the forum as well

WE all get together once in a while and both share aquarium info, and get to know each other a bit more.. to develop a community of folks that have the desire to weel with our aquarum projects  but also to do better with regards to our society and environment...

(And a have a couple laughs along the way)


Please log on and post a hello or something in the introductions forum..

If you hang out enough, I will also setup a forum for you to post stuff relating to your aquarium(s)



(and yes, that is a possible plural, as most reefers i know end up with more then one tank after one year, hehehehe)


anyways, thanks for the kind words and I look forward to hearing from you soon at www.thelittleocean.com