Overly Frustrated...Salinity Level

[lunchie]

Okay...I have been slowly trying to increase the salinity level in my tank. Currently it is at 1.021! I have been dripping in a high concentrated level of salt water I mix up...however, so far I have not had any change in my levels. All my other levels are fine...I only do about a half gallon drip over a 2 hour period because I am so worried I will over do it and kill everything in the tank. However, as I said so far I have not been able to get a change in my level. Your suggestions are greatly appreciated...

On a side note...I have a yellow tang that is acting weird...or so it seems weird to me...The only way I can think to explain it is that he "rams the rock"...not head on but with the sides of his body...it is almost like he is trying to scratch himself...Is this normal or should I be worried? I have examined him quite closely and I see no signs of Ich...Also, he started doing this before I started doing the drips above...so I don't think it is related to that...He is eating fine and in fact has come to learn to "BEG" me to feed him.

PH 8.2
ALK Normal
Sal 1.021
Trate 0
Trite 0
Amon 0

Thanks Everyone...
Deb

 

[NaH2O]

SEe if this link helps with increasing your specific gravity: Salinity Adjustment Calculator

 

[lunchie]

Nikki,
Any other suggestions, because when I use that link the results make no sense...it tells me to do a 72.3 gallon water change...unless I am using it wrong...
Thanks
Deb

 

[bradreef]

let it evaporate and then top off with saltwater. you should be able to get it up within a few days. I have done this and it works great because it only changes as much as it evap's so it doesn't effect the fish or anything else too bad.

 

[lunchie]

Brad,
Thanks I will give that a try.
Deb

 

[NaH2O]

Deb - let me first back up and ask what you are measuring your salinity with? If it is a hydrometer, then I would double check it with a refractometer. If it is a refractometer, read what the salinity is instead of the specific gravity. According to this post, you want to use the salinity in the calculator instead of the specific gravity....you will get funny results with SG:

Single Post - Raising Salinity

Hope this helps clear it up a bit!

 

[cronicreef]

Check your swing harm or whatever your testing your water with. That was the first thing that came to mind when you said you can't get your salinity up.

Not to scare you but it could be sky high if your adding alot of salt and not seeing any results.

You could also give your tester a good cleaning with some viniger.

 

[lunchie]

I use a refractometer to take my readings so I pretty certain they are accurate. I will try Nikki's link again using the salinity instead of SG...Thanks you all,

Oh, any input on my Yellow Tang's behavior??

Deb

 

[lunchie]

Nikki,
I visited the site again and used salinity instead of SG and it worked and makes sense...Thanks and I will try that out...Been a ruff night...I know this isn't a SW Fish but I lost my Beta Fish today...I have had him for over 2 1/2 years...Anyhow, thanks again and I will let you know how it goes...
Deb

 

[NaH2O]

Sorry about the Beta Fish. With regards to your yellow tang - I'm not sure. Here are a couple of articles for you that might help figure it out: Marine Aquarium Disease Identification Guide Part one, and Marine Aquarium Disease Identification Guide Part two. How long have you had the fish, and how long would you say it has been displaying this behavior?

 

[lunchie]

We have had him for 3 weeks and I just noticed the behavior about a week ago. I am watching him closely for other things but so far that is the only thing I have noticed. He is still somewhat shy and doesn't like it when I am near the tank except if he wants me to feed him...I will look at those links...Thanks
Deb

 

[Angelscrx]

In the past I raised or lowered salinity with water changes. I would make the make up water 2 points higher than what my tank was and it would raise the salinity barely one point at a time. Did this every other day until the salinity got to be where I wanted it at 1.025. The thing you have to remember is you don't want to raise the salinity all at once or you will shock your tank. You may want to borrow someone else's refractometer and test your salinity too and see if there is a difference?

As for your tang did you quarantine him when you first got him? What are you feeding your fish? It may be parasitic and not ich?

 

[lunchie]

I had the LFS check my water to and they are getting the same reading so I am fairly certain it is accurate. I will work with the water changes and see if I can raise it that way...I have an RO/DI Device on the way and I am waiting for that to do my next water change. Also, we found a very a better LFS then the one we were using well, not really Local because we have to drive 2 hours to get there but it is worth it...so I am going to take some water with me this Sunday and have them check it also.

As for my tang...no I didn't quarantine him because I don't have a quarantine tank. He eats, mostly Nori and as treats I give him SeaWeed Selects and frozen brine shrimp (SS and brine only one time a week usually). He eats like crazy...and has no other signs of anything being wrong with him. And ever since I made the original post I have not seen him do the "scratching thing again"...I don't know if I should be worried or not...As I said, he shows no other signs. He is very active, always swimming around, and eats. His eyes look fine and I see no sign of white specs or discoloration or anything on him. So hopefully he is okay but I plan to watch him very closely. If anyone has any suggestions or other things to watch for let me know.

How do you know if it is parasitic?

 

[clayswim]

It could be a parasitic infection, although many times they're self-limiting and will go away on their own. Normally these cases are due to stress, and can sometimes go away as the fish gets stronger and is able to fight off the infection. If it gets worse, if you can actually see the parasites on the skin or inflamed gills, it could require removing the fish from the tank and treating it separately. Never treat diseases in the main tank with invertebrates. Of course then again it might be a simple case of itchy skin It does happen. Just keep an eye on it, might be nothing to worry too much about.

Clayton

 

[clayswim]

I almost forgot, you asked how to tell if it's parasites. Without an exam with a microscope it's hard to tell for sure, but there are common signs to look for. One is your symptom, scratching. This can stem from other things too, like itchy skin as I said before. Other signs are visible parasites on the skin, fins or gills. What these look like depends on the species. Small outbreaks can cause scratching without any visible spots, and some outbreaks in the gills can sometimes cause the fish to suck air at the surface of the water. Also, it should be noted that if a fish is glancing off of objects like rocks or the side of the tank, it very well could be a sign of water quality problems. Improper pH, poisonous chemicals, high CO2 levels among other things can bring glancing on. It's pretty easy to tell the difference though. Glancing is usually highly reckless.

I guess I've rambled on long enough
Clayton

 

[wrightme43]

Then just to confuse things more, some fish just scratch. If they are like diving at stuff hard its usually bad, if they just cruise around and every once in a while rub up against something, it can be ok and not a cause for alarm. fish are wierd. LOL

 

[lunchie]

Thanks Everyone...I really appreciate all the input. I will definately keep an eye on him and I am thinking he just had an "itch" he wanted to scratch. I willl let you know if anything else develops...
Thanks again,
Deb

 

[Angelscrx]

You know I had a fish one time with a scale coming off or sticking out and he scratched on the rocks until it came off. Then grew a new one. No parasite, no ich not thing but you could tell where the scale was sticking out and I thought it was a parasite. Hard to tell without a microscope.

 

[sryder]

i used to have a yellow tang that would also do the same. he never got ich or any parasites. it may just be his behavior. you may want to introduce him to a cleaner shrimp. its pretty cool to watch the shrimp cleaning the tangs of any kind of parasites. the tang will eventually go to him for a daily cleaning of the body, gills and I have even seen them clean their mouths. the yellow tang i had, set up its territory and would dart in and out of the rocks in that area as fast as he could. this was just so he knew every way to get in and out from trouble. it was like he was practicing his get away from a predator. realy a cool fish. pretty, usually hardy and fun to watch. consistent water changes usually have a great effect on fish color, behavior and attitude. they always seem to perk right up. good luck
steve