Hi all, I've been lurking for some time now, and have finally decided to take the plunge and start up my first SW tank (in which I hope to eventually try a bimac). Apparently it'll be some time before I can try out an octo, as I can't even seem to get the salt to mix correctly. I'm using instant ocean salt in a 55 hex that's right at 74 degrees. I've got about 35 lbs of "homemade live rock" in the tank, but I think it's fully cured and shouldn't be causing a problem. For circulation I'm running a 170g/hr biofilter/powerhead, and when running air through the venturi, I can see bubbles circulating through the entire tank. The water is RO from my spectapure filter.
Every time I measure the salinity I come up with 1.023...so I mix in a little more salt, and instead of raising my levels, it just collects on the bottom of the tank. Right now I'm still below the amount the directions from instant ocean give...but as it's building up on the bottom of the tank, I'm assuming adding more is pointless? I'd like to run at 1.025, if I can get it that high.
Normally I'm pretty good at googling the answers to this kind of stuff, but I'm not having too much luck...hopefully this is just an embarrassingly simple newby mistake. Any hints?
Thanks,
Cliff
Every time I measure the salinity I come up with 1.023...so I mix in a little more salt, and instead of raising my levels, it just collects on the bottom of the tank. Right now I'm still below the amount the directions from instant ocean give...but as it's building up on the bottom of the tank, I'm assuming adding more is pointless? I'd like to run at 1.025, if I can get it that high.
Normally I'm pretty good at googling the answers to this kind of stuff, but I'm not having too much luck...hopefully this is just an embarrassingly simple newby mistake. Any hints?
Thanks,
Cliff