diff --git a/news/issue-162.rst b/news/issue-162.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..844ce46
--- /dev/null
+++ b/news/issue-162.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+**Added:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Changed:**
+
+* In line with Interchange v0.5+, the box is no longer being scaled by 1.1
+  when defining the ``number_of_solvent_molecules``. In those cases, the
+  resulting box density will be much higher.
+  To roughly reproduce previous behavior, we recommend reducing the
+  ``target_density`` to 0.715 * unit.grams / unit.mL when
+  defining ``number_of_solvent_molecules``.
+
+**Deprecated:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Removed:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Fixed:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Security:**
+
+* <news item>
diff --git a/src/pontibus/tests/protocols/relative/test_protocol.py b/src/pontibus/tests/protocols/relative/test_protocol.py
index 9552441..ac357ac 100644
--- a/src/pontibus/tests/protocols/relative/test_protocol.py
+++ b/src/pontibus/tests/protocols/relative/test_protocol.py
@@ -586,6 +586,7 @@ def test_dry_run_complex_setnwaters(
     solv_settings.solvation_settings = PackmolSolvationSettings(
         number_of_solvent_molecules=15000,
         solvent_padding=None,
+        target_density=0.715 * unit.grams / unit.mL,
     )
 
     protocol = HybridTopProtocol(settings=solv_settings)
diff --git a/src/pontibus/tests/utils/test_system_creation.py b/src/pontibus/tests/utils/test_system_creation.py
index 7a93312..e125044 100644
--- a/src/pontibus/tests/utils/test_system_creation.py
+++ b/src/pontibus/tests/utils/test_system_creation.py
@@ -577,6 +577,7 @@ def test_nonwater_solvent_short(smc_components_benzene_named, smiles):
             solvent_padding=None,
             number_of_solvent_molecules=100,
             assign_solvent_charges=True,
+            target_density=0.715 * unit.grams / unit.mL,
         ),
         smc_components=smc_components_benzene_named,
         protein_component=None,
@@ -1007,6 +1008,7 @@ def test_nonwater_solvent_long(solvent_smiles, solute_smiles):
             solvent_padding=None,
             number_of_solvent_molecules=1000,
             assign_solvent_charges=True,
+            target_density=0.715 * unit.grams / unit.mL,
         ),
         smc_components={ligand_smc: ligand_offmol},
         protein_component=None,
@@ -1852,7 +1854,9 @@ def interchange_system(self, water_off, request):
                 ],
             ),
             solvation_settings=PackmolSolvationSettings(
-                number_of_solvent_molecules=500, solvent_padding=None
+                number_of_solvent_molecules=500,
+                solvent_padding=None,
+                target_density=0.715 * unit.grams / unit.mL,
             ),
             smc_components=smc_components,
             protein_component=protein_component,
@@ -1962,7 +1966,9 @@ def interchange_system(self, water_off, request, eg5_ligands, eg5_cofactor):
                 ],
             ),
             solvation_settings=InterchangeOpenMMSolvationSettings(
-                number_of_solvent_molecules=100, solvent_padding=None
+                number_of_solvent_molecules=100,
+                solvent_padding=None,
+                target_density=0.715 * unit.grams / unit.mL,
             ),
             smc_components=smc_components,
             protein_component=protein_component,
diff --git a/src/pontibus/utils/settings.py b/src/pontibus/utils/settings.py
index 91bf8e2..6b23113 100644
--- a/src/pontibus/utils/settings.py
+++ b/src/pontibus/utils/settings.py
@@ -142,11 +142,12 @@ class BasePontibusSolvationSettings(BaseSolvationSettings):
     target_density: GramsPerMolQuantity | None = 0.95 * unit.grams / unit.mL  # noqa: F821
     """
     Target mass density for the solvated system in units compatible with g / mL.
-    Generally a ``target_density`` value of 0.95 * unit.grams / unit.mL is
-    sufficient, although you may have to aim for a lower value should you find
-    it difficult to pack your system.
+    A ``target_density`` value of 0.95 * unit.grams / unit.mL works in many cases,
+    but may lead to an overly dense system. This is especially true when
+    defining ``number_of_solvent_molecules``, in this case a value of
+    0.715 * unit.grams / unit.mL is recommended.
 
-    Default: 0.95 * unit.grams / unit.mL.
+    Default: 0.715 * unit.grams / unit.mL.
 
     Notes
     -----
diff --git a/src/pontibus/utils/system_solvation.py b/src/pontibus/utils/system_solvation.py
index a5a8fa0..62e07ae 100644
--- a/src/pontibus/utils/system_solvation.py
+++ b/src/pontibus/utils/system_solvation.py
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ def _box_density_from_mols(
     """
     Approximate box size with known number and type of molecules.
 
-        Generate an approximate box size based on the number and molecular
+    Generate an approximate box size based on the number and molecular
     weight of the molecules present, and a target density for the final
     solvated mixture.
 
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ def _box_density_from_mols(
     total_mass = molecules_total_mass + solute_total_mass
     volume = total_mass / target_density
 
-    return _scale_box(box_shape, volume)
+    return _scale_box(box_shape, volume, box_scaleup_factor=1.0)
 
 
 def _neutralize_and_pack_box(