[mandy]

I am new at having a saltwater tank........I've had my tank now for about 6 mths and my lion fish is acting funny. The instant ocean hydrometer is reading high 1.026........what can i do in order to lower that to where it should be around 1.020 - 1.024? Please help

[yankeebobo]

The simple way is to follow the process of a "partial" water change. But put in plain RO back into the tank. Go slow. I don't know how large your tank is, but you won't need much to lower that. Pull a half gallon out, put half of RO water back. Wait and measure again.

IF you have a second device, you can double check the reading to make sure the hydrometer is good. But remember, don't go full bore. You should gradually lower it anyway.

What are some of your test readings? Perhaps you can rule out bad results?

[mandy]

Yeah...I did thats what I did. I have a 25 gal. tank, I took about 1/2 out and put RO water back. I'd just went home for my lunch break to check on how he was doing (Lion Fish) but he had passed on. I really thought he was gonna make it. This is upsetting. I feel terrible, I couldn't help!

Originally Posted by yankeebobo

The simple way is to follow the process of a "partial" water change. But put in plain RO back into the tank. Go slow. I don't know how large your tank is, but you won't need much to lower that. Pull a half gallon out, put half of RO water back. Wait and measure again.

IF you have a second device, you can double check the reading to make sure the hydrometer is good. But remember, don't go full bore. You should gradually lower it anyway.

What are some of your test readings? Perhaps you can rule out bad results?

[Reefland]

Hi mandy,


if you replaced half of your tank water with straight RO water (no salt), that is certainly what killed the fish. This would have dropped your salinity too low much too quickly. You should test your salt level and if less thatn 1.021 I would adjust it immediately. If it is higher than 1.021 through 1.025, raise it to 1.025 slowly over the next could of days by adding just a small amount of salt to your nomal top-off water.

[The R/C Man]

Welcome to Reefland Mandy!!

You also may want to have your water tested with a refractometer. Those swing arms have been known to be off by .004..... You may think it is 1.025 and it may be 1.029 or 1.021.....

[yankeebobo]

I hope it wasn't half the tank.

[Reefland]

Originally Posted by yankeebobo

I hope it wasn't half the tank.

That's what I was thinking.

[yankeebobo]

One reason to avoid the faces - grab the wrong shock.

In any event, the goal was maybe a half gallon.