Need Help...

[ianjy]

I am totally new to marine and just started my tank..now trying on 2ft tank...

I have the following ;

Grade 1, 0 sandbeds

1 protein skimmer

Overhead filteration

I have been cycling the tank for almost 2 weeks, but the salt level still cannot meet 1.022-1.025.Mine is always around 1.020...

So, need some advise on how to maintain the salt level...

[sinner]

did you add the sand and then mix the salt in the tank itself? if so i recommend you wait for 1 day before you measure again...

[ianjy]

Yes, I did...but since then, I have been cycling the tank for almost 2 weeks..and the salt level still shows between 1.010-1.021....

Any idea whats the problem..I will post a pic of my tank tonight when I get home...

[sinner]

hmm... i'm not very sure... shall leave this to other senior reefers

[euphoria]

Very straight forward, if after 2 weeks still 1.021, that means your salt is not enough.

The first time, i've had this problem also. what the salt manufacturer says on the package does not seem to provide the salt level that you need, just add more. It may seem like a rediculously large amount of salt to you, especially when you use to keep freshwater fish.

When i first start my salt water, I have to use 1.5 times of what the box before i reach 1.022.

[bwilly]

as mention add more salt.

mine also this problem in the beginning.

usually when I just add salt, its not enough.

next day I measure, then add some more.

then next day oki liao.

[diabolus]

wat i do is not add salt directly into the tank...

scoop out a pail of water from the tank....

mixed ur salt into that pail of water...

add slowly and keep stirring until no residue...

pour back in and measure SG again.

not enuff...repeat again.

[bicolor]

sorry ianjy san,

can u double confirm the data again. realy

" salt level still shows between 1.010-1.021.... " ??

1.01 ~ 1.021 r big diferent

if stable at 1.021 i think is OK for FOT. no problems lar.no adjust also ok lar.

if RT better adjust it to 1.022~1.024

[ianjy]

This is a pic of my tank for your advise...2nd problem..is my skimmer correctly placed..??

How come there is no foam on the top?

[ianjy]

My tank....

[Kalib]

Think you need to play around with the skimmer. Try lowering it, should be able to get the foam to reach into the cup.

[Dazza]

Just mix some "new water" & make sure the salinity is much higher than the require level lah. Average out the bugger....

[Razo]

1)add more salt..

2) play with the skimmer for best result.. beside moving up n down control the air bubble too

[ianjy]

Thanks bros, however, I am intending to put in some LRs to cycle together as well..what do you think ?

I will put in more salt as well...any idea where to get test kits ? I been looking thru in LFS, and they are really ex...my budget is not more than $100...

I knw that I have to test like Ph,No2,No3..stuff like that...anyone knows whats the acceptable level for these tests ?

[Dazza]

Hihi ianjy

I think u can get ammonia, nitrite, nitrate & ph for under $100. Go thru the threads to see wh brand is recommended by our fellow reefers.

[Dazza]

http://www.eaquanature.com/store/default.p...php?cPath=45_91