how much salt for brackish water?

[Drizzt]

I have a dragon goby and I need to set up a brackish water tank for him. I just bought some Instant Ocean Sea Salt. I've looked all over for what the specific gravity should be and how much salt to add, but I have seen some very different information from 1 tbsp/gallon to 1 cup/gallon. Also, how long should it take for the salt to completely dissolve in the water so I can check the specific gravity? Thanks.

 

[Elasmofreak]

generally 1 cup per 5 gallons makes brackish water. depending upon you "cup size" the SG ranges from 1.010-1.015 any of which is acceptable for brackish fish. salt generally dissolves within 15 mins, with plenty of circulation.

 

[pete620]

The nice thing about brackish fish is that they can take salinity changes with little or no ill effects, at least not on the same level as saltwater fish.

 

[Morgs202]

I've found 10grams/ litre works really well. Not sure what that is in imperial, but u should be able to look it up on google

 

[dr_sudz]

The thing about brackish is that in nature it changes hourly. It can be nearly fresh, then the tide changes and it is nearly totally salt. I would just add some and see how the fish is reacting. If in total fresh it is breathing hard add some salt. and the breathing should be more normal. the exact gravity is not really a factor.

 

[Drizzt]

Thanks for the replies. I just felt bad that these guys are hardly ever taken care of correctly and I wanted to do things right. Right now he is in a freshwater tank, do I just acclimate him to the brackish water like I would for a fish I just brought home from the pet store? Now for any tips on feeding?

 

[RadleyMiller]

Even though the fish can handle huge swings in salinity, the bacteria won't be able to and you will have a massive die off. Gradually raise the salinity until it is at the desired SG, mine is at 1.012 for now. Whenever I add new fish they are drip acclimated, just to be sure. The feeder guppies never get dripped into my tank and of the 200 or so I have purchased, only 1 has died a death not at the hands (or should i say 'fins') of another fish. hehe I just like to play it safe because even though in the wild they can handle the change easily, it is somewhat gradual and doesn't involve being in a bag for a while.

 

[Fish Room Plus]

Thanks for the replies. I just felt bad that these guys are hardly ever taken care of correctly and I wanted to do things right. Right now he is in a freshwater tank, do I just acclimate him to the brackish water like I would for a fish I just brought home from the pet store? Now for any tips on feeding?

Yes, just drip him into a brackish tank for a hour or 2. Keep with sand or bare bottom, they sift thru the sand for food. I feed blood worms, but will take color bits with some patience. When I started a brackish tank from fresh, I just dumped enough salt to bring the SG to 1.006, waited a few hours (to make sure all the salt dissolved) then added fish. I didnt have any problems

 

[Jesse]

generally 1 cup per 5 gallons makes brackish water. depending upon you "cup size" the SG ranges from 1.010-1.015 any of which is acceptable for brackish fish. salt generally dissolves within 15 mins, with plenty of circulation.

That's been roughly consistent with my experience. I use the following ballpark estimates, but always double check w/ actual measurements:

1/2 cup per 5 gallons = 1.005 SG
1 cup per 5 gallons = 1.010 SG
1 1/2 cup per 5 gallons = 1.015 SG
2 cups per 5 gallons = 1.020 SG