Converting to Brackish

WilliamtheMan · Post by **WilliamtheMan** » Wed May 10, 2006 12:52 pm

Hello

OK, I am starting up a brackish tank and today i went to the fish store to get some advice. I asked do i need a Hydrometer? He told me i didn't need one and wasn't sure if it would show up on the hydrometer. I then asked him for some salt and he gave me "Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Doc Wellfish's Fresh Water Aquarium Salt" and said this would be fine. My question is Do i need a Hydrometer? and is this salt OK is use?
I have read the sticky article so i am now left confused. Any Advice will be much appreciated

William

lisalisa · Post by **lisalisa** » Wed May 10, 2006 1:03 pm

He was wrong on both counts.

YES you need a hydrometer, preferably a refractometer to measure salt.

NO aquarium salt is not what you need. You must use marine mix to make brackish water.

kass · Post by **kass** » Wed May 10, 2006 1:04 pm

What salinity are you going for? A hydrometer is needed because you want the salinity to remain constant, or rise at a constant rate, with water changes. That salt is not good for proper brackish water, you want marine salt.

WilliamtheMan · Post by **WilliamtheMan** » Wed May 10, 2006 1:07 pm

Would a specific gravity of 1.005 be correct? and would i add 1 or 2 table spoons a gallon to achieve this?

Many Thanks

kass · Post by **kass** » Wed May 10, 2006 1:11 pm

Depends what fish you plan on keeping. Not sure how to achieve that specific salinity, but with a hydrometer or refractometer you can mix it to the desired salinity in a bucket and check the SG and add water or salt until you reach your desired SG.

WilliamtheMan · Post by **WilliamtheMan** » Wed May 10, 2006 1:17 pm

Ok thanks,that has cleared alot up I am getting some F8's. Guess i will get the hydrometer tommrow and marine salt.

Phaedrus · Post by **Phaedrus** » Wed May 10, 2006 1:29 pm

I highly recommend getting a refractometer rather than a hydrometer. They can be a little more expensive, but they are much easier to use, far more accurate, and will stay accurate. Hydrometers always always always start to get wonky after awhile, if they are even correct to begin with.

lisalisa · Post by **lisalisa** » Wed May 10, 2006 1:56 pm

Don't adjust the SG of your tank yet, unless the F*'s are already being kept in brackish in the store. Cycle your tank at the same SG the F8's are in right now. Then once acquired, raise the SG no more than .002/week.

WilliamtheMan · Post by **WilliamtheMan** » Wed May 10, 2006 2:11 pm

Cool thank for the info. Would you say roughly a tablesoon per gallon is right? As it would seem weird to test the SG of the water that i will replace in the tank on a weekly basis. How do you yours and what method do you do when replacing water when doing water change? Sorry for all the questions but i just want to make sure that i do everything right.

Yeah i went round looking got F8 today couldnt find any that had it in freshwater so i will start raising the SG when i get all the right stuff.

William

lisalisa · Post by **lisalisa** » Wed May 10, 2006 2:26 pm

WilliamtheMan wrote:Cool thank for the info. Would you say roughly a tablespoon per gallon is right?

Dry measurements are inaccurate. You need to test with a refractometer.

WilliamtheMan wrote: As it would seem weird to test the SG of the water that i will replace in the tank on a weekly basis.

Why? That's exactly what you need to do.

When I change water on a tank I have at the desired SG, I mix my replacement water/salt/dechlor in a large Rubbermaid bin with castors. I use my refractometer so I know the water I'm mixing is the right SG. I have a power head and heater in the bin as well, and let aerate for about a day.
When I siphon water out with my python, I gravel vac as I go. When I'm done taking water out, I attach the end of a siphon to the out put of the power head in the Rubbermaid bin, and the replacement water is pumped up into my tank.

WilliamtheMan · Post by **WilliamtheMan** » Wed May 10, 2006 2:32 pm

I just thought it would be easier to have a method rather than test on a constant basis. Like having a recipe to get a desired SG level and if you follow this recipe the SG level sould stay constant. Anyway these are just how i thought it would work. But if you recommend this i will do what you have recommend as i have no experience with brackish tanks.

kass · Post by **kass** » Wed May 10, 2006 2:35 pm

Once you've done a few water changes, you'll have a rough estimate of how much salt to add, but its always best to check it.

The Fisherman · Post by **The Fisherman** » Wed May 10, 2006 3:06 pm

yeah, i always measure after the salt has disolved in a WC bucket. after a few water changes, you will start to get an idea of how much to use, but i still always measure. very important.

what size is your tank?

how many F8s do you plan to get?

how are you cycling your tank?

WilliamtheMan · Post by **WilliamtheMan** » Wed May 10, 2006 3:28 pm

I have a 40 gallon tank plan to get about 2-3 F8's. Plan to slowly raise the salinity to avoid cycling the tank again. Does tiny influcts matter greatly?As i would assume change in SG would vary in the wild. I think i will have to go with the Hydrometer rather than Refractometer for now as cost is a big issue. But might get one in the future.

Thanks for you comments i now have a much better understanding and better idea of maintaining and starting up the tank.

The Fisherman · Post by **The Fisherman** » Wed May 10, 2006 4:06 pm

sounds like a good plan. i think you will have a very nice tank!

are you planning to cycle the tank before you put the puffer(s) in?

small changes are not too much of a big deal, although do try to get it as close as you can to your tank water. it depends on how much water you are changing as well. ( eg: if you are only changing 5g in a 40g tank, if its off by a .001, its ok. but if your changing 20g in a 40g tank, being off by .001 probabaly wont cause too much of a problem, but will most likely casue unecsesary stress. i try to get it within half a salinity of my tank water.

I hope ive helped you, and that the above wasnt too confusing!

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Converting to Brackish

Converting to Brackish