20 gallon saltwater tank?

[jesraz]

hey everyone im new here i bought instant ocean aquarium salt i have a filter running and a power head the waters at 83 degrees i put in 10 cups of salt in the tank no livestock yet first saltwater tank there's still salt on the bottom of the tank is this normal?what fish would thrive in a 20 gallon?

[talldutchie]

I'm no salty at all so I'm going to interject what's probably a really silly question but... aren't you suppose to use a refractometer to determine salinity?

While you wait for more knowledgeable replies, might wanna google a bit on nanoreef. I think a 20 gallon would probably fit in the nano category.

[jesraz]

I bought a hydrometer the people at the pet store told me thats what i needed but i wonder if they were wrong i have googled but everyone's answer is different

[talldutchie]

So, what does the meter tell you?

[jesraz]

salinity is 39 specific gravity 1.030 but theres still salt on the bottom of the tank it didn't mix i guess i tried mixing it but it stays the same

[rodm81]

I'm not a salt guy either but I remember other theads and the specific gravity should be 1.024-25. I believe 1.030 is not good for stock.

[Cliff]

Your salinity should be around 1.025 and 1.026 (or 35.5ppt). 1.026 is the average salinity in the ocean at the hight and temp were we get most of the fish and corals that we keep in the hobby

I have found the hydrometers with a plastic swing arm can be off by as much as 0.003 which is a lot. Your going to want to use a refactormeter. I have yet to see someone who has been in the hobby for a few years recommend using a hydrometer with the plastic swing arm.

The way you mixted your salt water can really lead to a lot of problems, as you are starting to find out. The below link can better explain the process

http://www.reefaquarium.com/2012/mixing-saltwater/

The below links may also help as well

http://www.reefaquarium.com/2012/set...ne-aquarium-2/

http://www.reefaquarium.com/2012/cyc...rine-aquarium/

http://www.reefaquarium.com/2013/the...er-parameters/

[jesraz]

i got it down to 1.025 i have checked both sides of the tank and they all point to 1.025 it had air bubbles thats why it was so high my tank is still cloudy will it clear up on its own?i have some filter media from my freshwater tank will that work to insta cycle the tank?

[Cliff]

If the water is not clear, the salt is most likely still mixing. Your salinity could still go up. If you are still using the hydrometer it could still be at 1.030.

Bacteria that lives in freashwater can not live in saltwater.

I would suggest giving the link I posted above about cycling a marine tank a good read.

What brand of salt are you using ?

[jesraz]

If the water is not clear, the salt is most likely still mixing. Your salinity could still go up. If you are still using the hydrometer it could still be at 1.030.

Bacteria that lives in freashwater can not live in saltwater.

I would suggest giving the link I posted above about cycling a marine tank a good read.

What brand of salt are you using ?

im using instant ocean salt mix ahh i see so if i buy live rock will it insta cycle?