Salintiy Question

[22engine]

My tank has been set up for about a week and my salinity is 1.022 I would like to get it up to 1.024. So my question is should I start water changes to get it up. I had the fish store make the RO salt water with a higher salt than they did the first time. But I havent had a sign of a cycle yet so I don't know if I should just wait till after the cycle to change the water with the higher salt batch or is I can start now. Any help I appreciate

 

[AquaRick]

If it's still cycling, feel free to add it now. It won't change anything.

 

[22engine]

Ya it hasn't started yet as far as I can tell. No readings. Everything is zero

 

[22engine]

Ok changes five gallons of water out. Which come out to about 20 to 25%. Its a 29 biocube but it only held four five gallon buckets of water when I set it up

 

[Lunchbox209]

Have you added any source of ammonia to start the cycle? Without a source of ammonia your cycle will never start

 

[22engine]

I know people are going to jump down my throat about this but I was convinced at the LFS to use a yellowtail damsel cause it was better than a shrimp. I have since learned this isn't the best and wouldnt again but I had to live and learn. They insisted that everyone does it. Anyway I have found a different store now after everything I have learned. I also have 25 lbs of live sand and also live rock. My Ph finally came up to 8.2 after being around 7.6 which I was happy about. I am seeing some minor allege growth on some of the base rock. Not sure if the ph is a sign of things to come. Will check it again tomorrow and see if it is stabilizing

 

[22engine]

Also the new fish store I went to sold me a cup and a half of there live sand from there established tank to help the cycle

 

[Schism]

If you want to raise the salinity slowly without waterchanges then just use saltwater as your top off water until the level rises to where you want it.

 

[22engine]

If you want to raise the salinity slowly without waterchanges then just use saltwater as your top off water until the level rises to where you want it.

I wi be trying that as well thanks. I went ahead and did a five gallon change today with the higher salinity salt water and will use some from my other five gallons I have for top off. I am trying to keep two or three five gallon buckets in my garage incase I ever need it and that's what I use for the changes.