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MacMan313
10/09/2013, 08:21 PM
I have been away on a business trip and my wife informed me that she did a water change on my bow front. Instead of mixing the salt separate she mixed it directly into the tank. I have 3 fish (y tang & 2 clarkii). She tested the gravity and it is reading at 1.020. She added / removed 3 gallons and mixed in the approiate amount of salt.

I personally know this is a no no. What are the possible outcomes of this? any way to mitigate any issues?

HumbleFish
10/09/2013, 08:26 PM
How many gallons is the bow front? Obviously, this is bad... but it only being a 3 gal WC might be the thing that saves you.

MacMan313
10/09/2013, 08:34 PM
46 gallons

MARINECRITTERS
10/09/2013, 08:47 PM
Hard to say if the fish will be fine, you just have to play the waiting game.

HumbleFish
10/09/2013, 08:56 PM
46 gallons

Tell your wife to keep checking the SG. Remember, fish handle drops in salinity much better than sudden rises. So, if the SG is lower than 1.020 - tell her to just leave it be until you get home. As for any undissolved salt that may still be floating around the tank, it's hard to say. Just hope for the best.

Chevrefils
10/09/2013, 08:58 PM
Almost 10 years ago now my brothers girlfriend at the time filled their car with diesel because it was cheaper. It never drove again. Ironic thing was she actually worked at a dealership!

I think your tank will be okay. I flick salt residue on my light back in the tank and i also add straight fresh tap water into my system with absolutely no effect. It mixes quickly with power heads and the actual volume of water or salt which is originally not mixed is minimal.

MacMan313
10/09/2013, 09:12 PM
it has been over an hour, maybe an hour and a half. She just checked the salinity and it is at 1.021. Hopefully the canister filter and the power head was able to mix this fast. She said she mixed it with her hand for a good 5 minutes..

ugh

chrisfont23
10/09/2013, 09:18 PM
I am sure this is standard practice at Petco. The fish are more resilient than you think.

Mark9
10/09/2013, 10:02 PM
Obviously she was just trying to be helpful.
Don't make her feel bad.

MacMan313
10/09/2013, 10:27 PM
Oh I know that.

HumbleFish
10/09/2013, 10:49 PM
Obviously she was just trying to be helpful.
Don't make her feel bad.

+1 I can't even get my wife to use the magfloat while I'm outta town.:bounce1:

robotman
10/10/2013, 02:02 AM
Almost 10 years ago now my brothers girlfriend at the time filled their car with diesel because it was cheaper. It never drove again. Ironic thing was she actually worked at a dealership!

I think your tank will be okay. I flick salt residue on my light back in the tank and i also add straight fresh tap water into my system with absolutely no effect. It mixes quickly with power heads and the actual volume of water or salt which is originally not mixed is minimal.

did you say you mix tap water into your tank :hmm4:

Mark9
10/10/2013, 05:22 AM
Any updates?

MacMan313
10/10/2013, 12:27 PM
She checked the with the hydrometer and it was at 1.020 on the dot. All the first are alive. She said one of the clowns was laying on its side this morning and swimming weird but I think it is normal behavior from what I have witnessed with them in the morning. He is swimming fine now and is eating.

I think all is well? Any thing to be on the lookout for. I will be back home tonight.

Mark9
10/10/2013, 12:56 PM
That's good to hear!

Chevrefils
10/10/2013, 03:44 PM
did you say you mix tap water into your tank :hmm4:

To top it off yes. To be honest i know several people running beautiful reefs which are thriving who use tap water. Even without skimmers and all the fancy equipment! If the conditions are stable thats really whats most important. Most fish and easy to care for corals can thrive without RODI. Chlorine evaporates within 24 hours so i just let it stand. I dont have corals as of yet but when i begin adding some in the next 2 weeks i will begin using RODI with my top offs and water changes. I was simply saying that these creatures we care for can be pretty darn tough!

billdogg
10/10/2013, 05:01 PM
I used tapwater for everything until a couple years ago with no ill effects that I could pin on the water coming from the tap.

billdogg
10/10/2013, 05:03 PM
I am sure this is standard practice at Petco. The fish are more resilient than you think.

and LMAO

steve76s
10/10/2013, 09:54 PM
+1 I can't even get my wife to use the magfloat while I'm outta town.:bounce1:

+1 she did it once too fast and the mag float in the tank gave way into the tank. She just left it in their. Her excuse " I didn't want to touch that water....