Premixed saltwater from LFS, watch out

[longhorn_20m]

Well I have read good number of posts complaining about premixed saltwater from LFS's. Seems that many people had problems with salinity being too low or vice versa.

Well I never thought it could happen to me, more less by the LFS I frequently visit, but what you know. The saltwater I picked up to perform a water change was low, and I have no idea how low, because I didn't test it before hand, which I should of, but I just performed the water change. Well I decided to measure the salinity a few hours after doing the water change because everything of mine closed up. I find out the reading is 1.016. I'm really disappointed, especially since I paid $1 a gallon.

Had to vent!

[GaryP]

What percentage water change did you do and what salinity was it before the water change? If its that low, I think there may have been a good chance that what you go wasn't salt water at all and may have been RO.

I think you really need to talk to the owner of the LFS and insist that you at least good a bag of salt out of the deal for your trouble. Was the water self serve or did they fill your buckets for you?

Gary

[matt]

Sue! Sue! Need a lawyer? hehe... Actually, if I'm not mistaken, the IO bags that supposedly make 50 gallons (or whatever it is) only do so at low salinity, so they might have just gotten lazy and not checked salinity. Probably Josh is right, though, sounds like your S.G. dropped a huge amount from this water change. I'd consider getting it back up really quickly. Maybe the store will give you some new snails....

[Henry]

Just a question, is it wise to raise the salinity so fast after such a drop? Could this be worse? I realize this would depend on how long after he did the water change and such, but I would think if the difference in salinity was not check/realized after an extended period of time another rapid change in salinity could only do more harm than good. please correct me if I'm wrong.

[DeletedAccount]

I gt some from a LFS and did not check the numbers myself as I always have them check before they fill my containers. My water at home was 1.025 before the water change and after I did it (and lost some critters 2 days later) the salinity was past 1.030 (as far as my swing arm goes), well past.

Laziness on my part. Should have never trusted anyone elses measurement. Let me tell you, I am past the laziness again and mix up my own water now!

[DeletedAccount]

Since mine was so high and my fish (and snails) were dead and dying, I did a fast change. In my 55 I had to take out 5 gallons of water and add straight fresh to get it to 1.026! In my 120, it took alot more. In my 29 it was 3 gallons or so, and my 1 gallon nano was just furious at me. (The 6 g bowfront nano had not gotten a water change, thank goodness)

Lost a coral beauty, a yellow tang, a ton of snails, and my gobies shrimp. I was afraid that everyone would be dead! They were "panting" and laying on their sides..... but the rest were fighters.

[TAXMAN]

I would make the LFS fix the problem. If nothing dies then just get your salt and fix it. If livestock died or dies, I would be getting replacements at no charge. They will probably tell you that you should have tested it before you added it. But I would tell them they should sell what they are advertising and they own a fish store and should know how to mix water.

I'm sorry and it may seem extreme on my view, but I dont like to be taken by anyone. The LFS should make good on the problem that THEY caused. Reefs are not cheap. If they dont at least try to make good. OUT THEM.
Here, I'll stir the pot.

Just my 2cents worth. :-D

[DeletedAccount]

And a great $0.02 worth it is!

[TAXMAN]

LMAO I know. I just hate to see people get taken by anyone. And remember. The customer is ALWAYS right.

[longhorn_20m]

My tank is the JBJ 12 gallon, but really less than that with all the live rock so on. I did around a 2.5-3 gallon water change. Before the water was around 1.025-1.026.

I'm just kinda PO, I guess still it is my part too, since I didn't check it, but still, I hate relying on others, they never come through, as seen with this.

It wasn't self serve, they actually fill it up for you :(, and what is worst, I paid for the saltwater.

Well I mixed up a small container of saltwater, over next few days will top off with that and hopefully bring the salinity back up to original. My zoos look alive, few try to open, but never fully open, most others are closed, and frogspawn hasn't been extending as much.

Will see in next few days
And yes, I too am sticking with mixing my own saltwater, even though a pain.

[dan]

:( who is LFS? i have never bought premixed water from any one.all the trobbbbbel you have to go through and then half the time it;s wrong :evil:i bought a RODI unit and mix just what i want or need at the right salinity.i think a RODI unit is as important to your water as live rock is to your reef. :lol: well theres my two cents :-D :-D :-D

[longhorn_20m]

Well considering I have a 12 gallon tank, I don't think an RO/DI unit is necessary and worth the money. It is easier for me to just buy the RO/DI water once every month or so, since I get around 10 gallon at a time and never use that within a month for topoff.

If I ever did upgrade to larger where an RO/DI would be necessary, i would invest in one.

[dan]

:lol: well in your case longhorn that is very true :) it's just that so many people buy water and lose livestock.that is very sad :( lose 1 or 200.00 in fish!!!!! that paid for a RODI unit.

[DeletedAccount]

I have another RO/DI unit on order. My other last one sprung 3 leaks at different times and I figured the POS needed to be tossed.

[GaryP]

Well, there is one other issue here. If you are doing a 2.5-3.0 gal. water change, and assuming you have some LR displacement in the tank that could mean that youa re doing as much as a 40-50% water change. Under normal circumstances I wouldn't recommend more than a 10% water change at one time. I don't know how often you do a water change but you might want to consider doing smaller, more frequent water changes. Maybe something like 3/4 gal./wk. would be good. I've never done a nano but I would suspect that since your equipment (such as a skimmer) is going to be more basic than a larger tank, that frequent small changes would be the way to go. Hey Nano guys, what do you suggest?

Gary

[sareef]

I buy pre-mixed salt from CB Pets in Bulverde and they check the salinity each time I come in to buy. They use Kent salt and only charge $.75/gal. It's worth the trip to get the great service.

Will

[saltcreepette]

three words:

never trust anyone.

and a few more words:

"if you want it done right, you gotta do it yourself!"

that said, I buy my water, but I test it before I use it. next equipment purchase: RO/DI unit from aquaticreefsystems.com

[OldSalty]

Aquatic Reef, Thats the place to go. 75 gpd ro/di for $159, Dont think anyone can beat that!! Plus SERVICE TO BOOT. Troy Valentine turned me on to them.

My moto MIX IT YOURSELF!!