Joshifer September 3, 2013 Share September 3, 2013 Hi again. 8 gallon aqueon 12lbs of LR and about 2 and a half to 3 inches sand bed. Anyway i purchased a hydrometer today. I know their inaccurate but can't afford a refract til next week. It checked at 1.028 that's a bit high. I read online RO water would dilute it. My LFS was closed for the holiday I went over to walmart and noticed their RO vending machine. Would this be ok to dilute the salt? Maybe if I dosed it with prime and stuck a power head and heater inside it for a while. If I can do this method. How much water would I remove? I assume I would replace it cup by cup over a period of time. Any help greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf&turf September 3, 2013 Share September 3, 2013 This is a new tank, no livestock? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshifer September 3, 2013 Author Share September 3, 2013 (edited) This is a new tank, no livestock?It's new. Setup aug 28th Theirs a oscerillis juvinile clown in there. Petland told me if I purchased live water rock and sand I can add a fish the next day he seems fine he's eating and swimming he's a little scared stays in a corner but when I put food he attacks it lol Edited September 3, 2013 by Joshifer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf&turf September 3, 2013 Share September 3, 2013 Ok, just lower it slowly, most hydro's are off some, so if you get it down to 1.024 your should be close. RO water is fine to use, so is distilled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YHSublime September 3, 2013 Share September 3, 2013 You want to slowly bring your salinity down. Use RO water and add a little bit over a couple hours until you reach 1.025 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshifer September 3, 2013 Author Share September 3, 2013 Ok, just lower it slowly, most hydro's are off some, so if you get it down to 1.024 your should be close. RO water is fine to use, so is distilled. How much water do I remove? I don't have 8 gallons cus of Rock and sand it's more like 5 or 6? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incredible Corals September 3, 2013 Share September 3, 2013 You will need to take water out of the tank and add in the RO water. Topping it off with RO water will not drop the salinity. First thing I would do is borrow a refractometer. I've had hydrometers in the past that were way off. So, it's possible your salinity is fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshifer September 3, 2013 Author Share September 3, 2013 You want to slowly bring your salinity down. Use RO water and add a little bit over a couple hours until you reach 1.025 So the walmart RO vending machine would be ok to use? Or should I buy a bottle of distilled drinking water ? Either way I'd dose it with prime or amquelplus before using Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf&turf September 3, 2013 Share September 3, 2013 If you swap it out cup for cup over a day or so, you should be good, also be sure to top off with fresh water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incredible Corals September 3, 2013 Share September 3, 2013 How much water do I remove? I don't have 8 gallons cus of Rock and sand it's more like 5 or 6? I would just use a larger drinking cup and take out a cup off of water of your tank and replace it with RO water. Then test again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incredible Corals September 3, 2013 Share September 3, 2013 So the walmart RO vending machine would be ok to use? Or should I buy a bottle of distilled drinking water ? Either way I'd dose it with prime or amquelplus before using It's hard to really know what the quality of the water is with out testing it. I'm sure it's fine and would use it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshifer September 3, 2013 Author Share September 3, 2013 Great thank you everyone. So kind and quick to reply. Just worried about my poor nemo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YHSublime September 3, 2013 Share September 3, 2013 It's hard to really know what the quality of the water is with out testing it. I'm sure it's fine and would use it. I used deer park distilled in my 14 gallons for topping off with no ill effects for about 4 months. You should be alright in this pinch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
08can-am September 3, 2013 Share September 3, 2013 If you could id test with your hydrometer to someone's refractometer to see how much its off. I had a cheap hydrometer that read off by a lot courtesy of my sweet S4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt September 3, 2013 Share September 3, 2013 Pm me tomorrow...I'm in Woodbridge will be home teleworking for a change. If you come by with a water sample I can confirm your SG with a refractometer and pour you a gallon or two of RODI to tide you over until you work out your normal routine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshifer September 3, 2013 Author Share September 3, 2013 Pm me tomorrow...I'm in Woodbridge will be home teleworking for a change. If you come by with a water sample I can confirm your SG with a refractometer and pour you a gallon or two of RODI to tide you over until you work out your normal routine. That would be awesome thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallreef September 3, 2013 Share September 3, 2013 and there are alot of us here in woodbridge if you need anymore help and just write on your hydrometer after he tests your water a + or - .00whatever so you remember Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami September 3, 2013 Share September 3, 2013 The quality of distilled or RO/DI (note the "DI" added) is better known than simple "RO" water. If you have a choice on what to buy, just get some distilled. When making up for evaporation, are you topping off with fresh water or salt water? If you top off with salt water, your salinity will creep up as evaporation removes water and not salt from the tank, and adding saltwater only adds more salt. Topping off (replacing water lost to evaporation) with freshwater is a must. Topping off with salt water is a somewhat common and easy to make mistake for beginners. Are you planning on trying corals out in this tank or do you think that you'll keep this a fish-only system? Oh, and be sure to tap that hydrometer with your finger a few times to ensure that you knock any bubbles that my be floating the swing arm higher than it should, thereby giving you a higher reading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshifer September 3, 2013 Author Share September 3, 2013 The quality of distilled or RO/DI (note the "DI" added) is better known than simple "RO" water. If you have a choice on what to buy, just get some distilled. When making up for evaporation, are you topping off with fresh water or salt water? If you top off with salt water, your salinity will creep up as evaporation removes water and not salt from the tank, and adding saltwater only adds more salt. Topping off (replacing water lost to evaporation) with freshwater is a must. Topping off with salt water is a somewhat common and easy to make mistake for beginners. Are you planning on trying corals out in this tank or do you think that you'll keep this a fish-only system? Oh, and be sure to tap that hydrometer with your finger a few times to ensure that you knock any bubbles that my be floating the swing arm higher than it should, thereby giving you a higher reading. Yes I tap it. I got it down to 25 over a few hours last night didnt wanna shock my clown haven't checked yet today. I'd like to try a easy coral but I'm told my LEDs aren't strong enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshifer September 3, 2013 Author Share September 3, 2013 and there are alot of us here in woodbridge if you need anymore help and just write on your hydrometer after he tests your water a + or - .00whatever so you remember I appreciate it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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