Does salinity matter in a cycle?

[Lonster]

Thanks. I'll do a water change to bring it down.

[TimT]

I would bring the salinity down a little via water changes as Aquattro suggested but I would also add in an ammonia neutralizer.

What are you checking your salinity with? The plastic salinity checkers are notoriously off, sometimes up to 0.003.

[Lonster]

I am using a plastic hydrometer for now. I figured that it would be ok until the cycle is done and I start putting corals and fish in and it needs to be more precise. I changed some of the water and now get a reading of 1.025.

As I am just staring the cycle should I not want the ammonia to be there?

[Maverick00]

Originally Posted by TimT

I would bring the salinity down a little via water changes as Aquattro suggested but I would also add in an ammonia neutralizer.

What are you checking your salinity with? The plastic salinity checkers are notoriously off, sometimes up to 0.003.

mine was off .006 when i first started in the hobby but at least the numbers were easier to read than the refractometer :P

[Myka]

I would be more comfortable cycling at 1.020 than 1.028.

[asylumdown]

Originally Posted by Myka

I would be more comfortable cycling at 1.020 than 1.028.

+1

lower salinity seems to be safer than higher

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by Myka

I would be more comfortable cycling at 1.020 than 1.028.

agreed here as well

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Myka

I would be more comfortable cycling at 1.020 than 1.028.

Why? Personally, I use 1.026, which is where my tank sits day to day...

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Why? Personally, I use 1.026, which is where my tank sits day to day...

ive just always heard that a tank cycles faster with a slightly lower salt 1.020-1.022 and a slightly lower temp 76-78 then raise it up after a week or so. not sure if its true about being faster or the exact science behind it but i would rather be lower than higher if i had to choose.