How much salinity is to too much?

Has anyone accidentally "experimented" with letting their salinity get to high? If so, at what point does it become so deadly that corals can't recover? I ask because when i did a water change on Saturday i got my salinity in the new water to about 1.026. Then i added my magnesium and calcium to my new water. Between that and not toping off my tank for a day or 2 my salinity pegged my hydrometer. The hydrometer numbers only go to 1.028 but the needle goes higher. I'm guessing it was around 1.032 or maybe even more. Wishing i had grabbed my refractometer instead but just hurried and brought the salinity down through a small water change. This was a couple of days ago i brought it down. Salinity is now at 1.023. This made my bird of paradise unhappy and bleach out badly (mostly white but still has polyps) as well as most of my zoas. Zoas aren't melting but still not opened. Curious what are the chances of recovery. Should have mixed mag and kalk before salt. Any experience helps. Thanks everyone

Edited by brandonp - August 26 2015 at 7:28pm

Also, forgot to mention, are you testing/monitoring water parameters of both the new water and the tank to keep an eye on Ca, Mg and the pH swing from adding the kalk? I'm really curious about test results here.

Thanks for the reply. I was using kalk cuz its so cheap. Unfortunately kalk just can't keep up with my tanks demands. Also maybe it was precipitating out. I have actually ditched the kalk. I am now using thrive calcium until it's no longer available as they supposedly went out of business. I do have to add mag as I use instant ocean salt. Originally i was trying to keep up with the calcium demand of my tank. No dripper or nothing. Huge huge mistake obviously. After i do a water change should i just add my calcium (not kalk) and mag right away to the tank to get the levels where they need to be? Between that and the dumb hydrometer my crap got messed up. Just trashed it a minute ago as i compared it to my refractometer. Zoas still aren't happy. Hopefully they recover. Sps are doing ok and i think the bird of paradise that was bad will recover. Blasto was great but may have finally felt the effects a couple days ago even though my parameters are good now. How long can zoas hide out before they start to die? Thanks again for the reply.

Edited by brandonp - August 29 2015 at 9:12am

As a general rule, tanks like supplements to be added slowly over time.  I just happened to be checking a DIY gravity drip doser online earlier that might really fit your needs.  It can be made for $1-2 and uses a recycled plastic bottle, some tubing and a valve.  The valve then drips into your tank over time.  I would give it a Google and see what you think.  Should you need a more accurate or higher volume solution, the BRS dosers are a financially reasonable choice.  Check their dose rate though as I've heard some of them do run at a slightly different than advertised rate.  

My best thought on that question would be to do the math, i.e. I would test tank water prior to water change and then test the new water to see how much it's really off.  If it's off significantly, I would actually change salt mixes to more conform with my desires.  Otherwise, I'd still do the W/C, test again and use the BRS calculator to bring my tank levels where I want them pursuant to their instructions, not the new water.  

Are you also checking Alkalinity levels?

brandonp wrote: Yeah I stay around 10 to 11 dkh. How long can zoas stay close before i need to worry, though i already have been concerned. They have been closed about a week now.

Sometimes when they are ticked off they can stay closed for weeks. They may open back up or the may just melt away it just depends and you never know.

Hey Brandon -

I actually don't dose those three items at this time for a couple of reasons:  First, I have a 20 gal. tank and it is filled with mostly softies and LPS.  Not a huge demand.  However, the main reason for not dosing is that I take advantage of the Neptune DOS as an auto-water changer.  I change .75 gallons of water EVERY day which is enough for me as far as Ca, dKh and Mg at this time based on tests.  I DO dose vinegar everyday (1ml) as well as Brightwell's potassium (1ml). 

When I do need to dose Ca, I use B-Ionic 2 part or BRS 2 part. 

As for salt, I just finished some older Oceanic and have ordered HW Marinemix Reefer.  Should be here in a few days.  It was a tough choice between the Marinemix and RedSea Coral Pro.  I went with MarineMix because it is a fully synthetic salt and it is augmented with aminos.  I'll report back after I use it. 

Best,

Denise