Converting Brackish, How Much Salt Do I Add?

[Sliceofbeef]

Hi,

I've got a 20L Tropical Aquarium and I want to convert it to brackish, I've got a box of 'Tropic Marin' sea salt, the instructions really aren't very clear on the box, I will buy a Hydrometer but I just want to know roughly how much to add.

Thanks

George

 

[nmonks]

Hi George --

Think very carefully before doing this. Twenty litres isn't much water, and I can think of more freshwater organisms that will thrive in a small tank than I can brackish water ones. I've filled 20-30 litre tanks with Java moss, Anubias, cherry shrimps, interesting snails like nerites, and a few small fish like dwarf mosquitofish and had great success.

In any case, there's no "one" brackish water salinity. If you're keeping low-end stuff like bumblebees, then SG 1.003-1.005 (about 15-25% normal seawater) is fine. This is about 6-9 grammes per litre*. If you're keeping high-end stuff like monos and scats, then SG 1.010 or higher (about 15 grammes per litre) is the target.

By their very nature brackish water fish are adaptable, and the exact value doesn't matter. So getting a precise salinity is unnecessary. A hydrometer is important, but whether you get a generic glass one, a plastic swing-arm one, or a fancy refractometer instead couldn't matter less provided you know how to use said tool and use it consistently.

Cheers, Neale

* One teaspoon is around 6 grammes, though this depends on the size of your teaspoon!

 

[Sliceofbeef]

Hi George --

Think very carefully before doing this. Twenty litres isn't much water, and I can think of more freshwater organisms that will thrive in a small tank than I can brackish water ones. I've filled 20-30 litre tanks with Java moss, Anubias, cherry shrimps, interesting snails like nerites, and a few small fish like dwarf mosquitofish and had great success.

In any case, there's no "one" brackish water salinity. If you're keeping low-end stuff like bumblebees, then SG 1.003-1.005 (about 15-25% normal seawater) is fine. This is about 6-9 grammes per litre*. If you're keeping high-end stuff like monos and scats, then SG 1.010 or higher (about 15 grammes per litre) is the target.

By their very nature brackish water fish are adaptable, and the exact value doesn't matter. So getting a precise salinity is unnecessary. A hydrometer is important, but whether you get a generic glass one, a plastic swing-arm one, or a fancy refractometer instead couldn't matter less provided you know how to use said tool and use it consistently.

Cheers, Neale

* One teaspoon is around 6 grammes, though this depends on the size of your teaspoon!

I want to achieve 1.005 Salinity, how many grams is that?

 

[DarkEntity]

I see you ignored the bit about

Think very carefully before doing this. Twenty litres isn't much water, and I can think of more freshwater organisms that will thrive in a small tank than I can brackish water ones. I've filled 20-30 litre tanks with Java moss, Anubias, cherry shrimps, interesting snails like nerites, and a few small fish like dwarf mosquitofish and had great success.

assuming thats what you plan to keep great, but there isnt much else that will go in a tank that small.

 

[nmonks]

I've already said. Read the posting carefully. And feel free to say "thanks"! Terse requests for more information don't get the best out of me, at least!

Cheers, Neale

I want to achieve 1.005 Salinity, how many grams is that?

 

[Sliceofbeef]

I've already said. Read the posting carefully. And feel free to say "thanks"! Terse requests for more information don't get the best out of me, at least!

Cheers, Neale

I want to achieve 1.005 Salinity, how many grams is that?

Thanks for the help