[naturelvr]

I am new to the saltwater tank world and have many questions about water quality and contaminations. I have a 55 gallon tank with a Filstar canister filter. I haven't added aeration (other than output of filter) yet but I have a heater. I've cycled tank for 3 weeks at 86 degree. I've checked salinity and its on high end, should I dilute it? It reads 1.025 at 30 degree celsius. If so, how much water is recommended- 5gal of deionized 10- do a 20% water change? And would I contaminate my water with my hand or plastic utensils? Do I have to sterilize utensils? Yup I got alot of questions! Also, is it okay to use oyster shells for shelter instead of store bought rocks and is it too late to add live rock?

Thanks!

[glampka]

First off - what kind of tank do you plan on keeping - FOWLR or reef? If you're having a reef, I would get rid of the canister filter - they become nitrate factories when you don't clean them regularly. You can bring the salinity down by adding plain water to the tank, - hopefully you're not using tap water. As long as you don't have any lotions, creams, etc on your hands, you won't contaminate the tank. No need to sterilize utensils. Never too late to add rock but ideally it should go in before your sand so that if you get any burrowing fish the rocks won't come tumbling down.

[starfishlover]

1.025sg is good if you're doing a reef tank. 86*seems alittle high to me. 78-81 or so is what you want the temp at.

[naturelvr]

I thought so too, brought it down now to 80 degree- Thanks. Just need to bring down the salinity. Saw that people wer having trouble getting rid of excess salt water. If I do, say a 10% water change with freshwater, what should Ido with the salt H20?