What should the salinity for my fish only QT (observation) tank?

[kiran]

Wondering what my salinity should be for my QT tank. I haven't received my new tank but it's going to be softie/lps dominant and I want the salinity to be around 34 (is this too high). My salt bucket says to have the salinity for marine fish only at 30ppt.

Just want to know if I should have the QT tanks salinity matched to what I plan my display tanks salinity or should I follow the buckets instructions?

The salt I'm using is red seas blue bucket.

 

[Zach B]

I would find out the salinity level from the source of where you going to aquire the fish and match to that. Otherwise most folks run 1.025-1.026 unless running hypo for other reasons. Best of luck

 

[Sean_B]

I'm planning on the salinity of my QT/Observation Tank(s) to be as close to the venders salinity I will be getting the majority of my livestock from.

^ beat me to it

 

[kiran]

I wanted to get everything premixed so I can get the QT tank cycled before some of my fish get here Friday.

Should I mix it to 1.020 and when I find out what the salinity the fish are coming and adjust the water based on that? I just want to get it setup because they should be here by Friday so I want to make sure it's ready before then.

My thinking was I can set it to 1.020 and when the fish come, depending on its salinity, I can add RODI water and take out saltwater to bring down salinity or I can do the reverse to increase salinity.

Does this sound like a good idea?

 

[Zach B]

I would contact your source to be honest and not have to wonder and then scramble to make changes. Best to have everything set

 

[Zach B]

You could absolutely start with that but still contact them Monday or Tuesday

 

[kiran]

You could absolutely start with that but still contact them Monday or Tuesday

Yeah I just texted him. Should hear back soon.

 

[kiran]

Just got a reply. He said around 1.024-1.025 is what the water tests at when he receives them. I'll get it around there and make any adjustments I need when the fish get here.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Zach B]

Just got a reply. He said around 1.024-1.025 is what the water tests at when he receives them. I'll get it around there and make any adjustments I need when the fish get here.

Thanks for the help!

Absolutely, good luck with everything

 

[BostonReefer300]

First off, good choice to QT your fish! I'd vote for keeping them in QT at hypo levels (~1.020). This is a low stress way to get rid of many potential pests without using preventative medications. Just acclimate your new fish to the QT tank water like normal---maybe fast-drip acclimate to be safe. And remember to not medicate while also doing hypo unless your research says it's safe to use the medicine. Finally, make sure you have a really good (and calibrated!) way to measure salinity (and check it regularly). Don't rely on cheap float meters. Have fun!

 

[kiran]

First off, good choice to QT your fish! I'd vote for keeping them in QT at hypo levels (~1.020). This is a low stress way to get rid of many potential pests without using preventative medications. Just acclimate your new fish to the QT tank water like normal---maybe fast-drip acclimate to be safe. And remember to not medicate while also doing hypo unless your research says it's safe to use the medicine. Finally, make sure you have a really good (and calibrated!) way to measure salinity (and check it regularly). Don't rely on cheap float meters. Have fun!

Ah ok. My salts close to 1.020 right now so maybe I'll leave it at that then.

I have a Hanna Instruments salinity checker. Hopefully it's reliable. I might pick up a refrac meter as well to be safe.

I have another hospital tank that I'll use to treat them with medication if I see anything.

 

[BostonReefer300]

Ah ok. My salts close to 1.020 right now so maybe I'll leave it at that then.

I have a Hanna Instruments salinity checker. Hopefully it's reliable. I might pick up a refrac meter as well to be safe.

I have another hospital tank that I'll use to treat them with medication if I see anything.

Sounds good. I don't use the Hanna checker for salinity, but I hear it's pretty good. What fish are you getting?

 

[Zach B]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think 1.020 is considered hypo for parasite control

 

[kiran]

Sounds good. I don't use the Hanna checker for salinity, but I hear it's pretty good. What fish are you getting?

I'm getting four percula clownfish.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think 1.020 is considered hypo for parasite control

I'll take a look at the hypo thread. Not sure what route to take.

 

[Zach B]

I would still match to what the supplier is shipping them in and then you can decide to treat/observe/hypo, etc. Best of luck whichever method

 

[Billldg]

I would match the salinity to the water the fish arrives in, then slowly raise it thru water changes to the salinity that your DT will be at. That way it is float and release for the QT tank and DT.

 

[BostonReefer300]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think 1.020 is considered hypo for parasite control

Sorry! That was a typo. I meant 1.010

 

[kiran]

I would still match to what the supplier is shipping them in and then you can decide to treat/observe/hypo, etc. Best of luck whichever method

I would match the salinity to the water the fish arrives in, then slowly raise it thru water changes to the salinity that your DT will be at. That way it is float and release for the QT tank and DT.

Yeah I think that way might be best. I'll stick with the original plan.

 

[Billldg]

Yeah I think that way might be best. I'll stick with the original plan.

Most suppliers keep their fish tanks at 1.019. The only vendor I know of, though I am sure they are a few others, that raise their own salinity to 1.026 is TSM Aquatics. Again, I am sure their are a few others, but not many.

 

[kiran]

Most suppliers keep their fish tanks at 1.019. The only vendor I know of, though I am sure they are a few others, that raise their own salinity to 1.026 is TSM Aquatics. Again, I am sure their are a few others, but not many.

Yeah I guess I won't know for sure until the fish get here. I'll keep it at 1.025 and if the salinity is lower I'll just take out some saltwater and replace it with RODI.