saltwater

Question
QUESTION: I am new. Just bought my aquarium. How long does the the salt need to stay in the tank before I start adding fish?

ANSWER: Hello Mel,

There are many things to do before now and adding fish.

the first is to read and research and ask questions, so you have done at least one of those things... congrats...

I would defer you to read some more and then ask mesome more specific questions though as you have to do a lot of things before watching how long to wait for salt to disolve...

There is moreto it then just disolving salt into water...

the 'process' is called 'CYCLING a new tank'  and this basically means to let hte new tank get/grow biological organisms that will eventually feed off the fish you add to your tank later on... but to add the fish prior to your tank being 'cycled' is truly gambling with loaded dice.

Please read the attached link and then let me kno wwhat all you have as far as your tank and equipment and lights.

Also let me kno wwhat your test results are for the following tests...

SG/salinity
AMMONIA
pH
Nitrate
NITRITE


Also let me know what you do as for 'routine' maintenance

http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/startinganaquarium/How_to_Start_a_Saltwater_Aqu


Good luck an di look forward to hearing from you and learning more about your new tank

bill


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

QUESTION: Once I add my fish.. I know you need to start with damsels from reading about aquariums.. My daughter is wanting clown fish can I leave the damsels with the clown fish?

ANSWER: Hello,

I am not sure whre you read about adding 'damsels'??

I certainly dont agree to adding any fish, just to see if they will survive, and or to start a 'cycle'.

This is the same mentality as using a canary in a coal mine.  (If the canary survives it is ok for people to work in, if the canary dies, then OH WELL...


Sorry, that is called a sacraficial animal, and the goal in keeping aquariums is to NOT kill things, or at least not think something is going to die...



The other negaitve about using DAMSELS is that they are a little BOSSY, especially when they have seniority...  they will become the boss of the roost.

Most folks regret adding damsels to begin with.


I suggest slowing down, and cycle the tank the old fashioned way, (without fish), or using a piece of shrimp from the store...  just soak the shrimp for a few days, or just go without it, and use live rock and sand.

the orgainisms will promote the tank start up process...


from there it is just a matter of waiting until the NITRITES drop to zero..

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

QUESTION: my salt is at 1.03
do i need to add more salt or more fresh water?

Answer
Hello Mel,

the average salinity of the reefs around the world is  1.026

that is lower then what you have, so i would take out some water fromthe tank and add fresh water.

I would start with one gallon at a time, then as you get closer change out less water.


Maybe your water is too salty because you have been adding only salt water to your tank as the water level drops.  

the water level drops due to evaporation.  when the water level drops do to evaporation, you need to replace it with FRESH water.  the water should be clean/pure.  filtered water is best.  Reef keepers use filters called RO/DI filters,  this stands for Reverse Osmosis/De-ionized  resin filters...

You can buy those online or you can get fresh water from most local fish stores or you can usually use bottled water which is a bit more expensive.

I suggest keeping five gallons of fresh water and five gallons of salt water in the house at all times..

when you use the water, or rather before you plan on using the water, go out and buy more water, so when you use the water you already have the replacement water.

If you dont, you will run out of water when you want, or need it...

So, good luck, and keep me posted as to how things work out for you...

bill