question on brackish tank setup

[kido]

guys, how much salt would i put for a 30 gal tank to make it brackish? i don't have a tester so what the dosage normally used per gallon? is ordinary rock salt good enough? What about tank decor? i assume no driftwoods?

 

[portabuddy]

1/4 cup per gallon... per mix it in a 5gallon bucket, as for drcore you can go with anything, soak the drift wood in water and change the water often, boiling it also helps to get the tannons out, thats what makes the water a tea colored, your normaly looking for a ph of about 7.5-8.2 so the wook font help but it wont hurt either., coral looks good, and if your going with puffers then it gives them something to knawe at. instant ocean is a good salt and you can get a bucket to last for a good while, just remember if the water evaporates the salt concentrates and should not be topped up with salt water. i would definetly invest in a good salt, with the instant ocean it adds minerals as well as salt and some think its the best salt out there.

 

[fishcatch22]

it depends on wether you are keeping high range or low range brackish fish. some need less than 10.05, some almost 10.18SG.

you need marine tank salt, not rock salt, and you can't make a BW aquarium properly without a hydrometer.

for decor, you can use rocks, non- tanning driftwood, and BW resistant plants.

 

[Tongue33]

it depends on wether you are keeping high range or low range brackish fish. some need less than 10.05, some almost 10.18SG.

you need marine tank salt, not rock salt, and you can't make a BW aquarium properly without a hydrometer.

for decor, you can use rocks, non- tanning driftwood, and BW resistant plants.

Don't you mean something like 1.005 and 1.018? Just checking ...

 

[Fish Room Plus]

buy a meter, there like $7

 

[RadleyMiller]

I would use 6 cups for that tank (1 cup per 5 gallons) also, that measurement is easy to do during water changes.

 

[fishcatch22]

Don't you mean something like 1.005 and 1.018? Just checking ...

yes

 

[Jesse]

I don't know about rock salt, as the crystals are larger, but for sea salt mixes, the following should give you a ballpark estimate of SG:

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

You'll probably want something the range of 1.005 to 1.010 SG. And buy a hydrometer. They are cheap.

 

[RadleyMiller]

Get a floating one with a built in thermometer. That is the one I have and I really like it.

 

[kido]

thanks for the help guys.. i'll try to check out some hydrometers & salt mixes available here..