Low Salinity

[BryanDuggan]

So this is a newbie question, and I think I know the answer, but I want to be sure:

My salinity is too low, 1.022, so I did a water change, and my thought is to replace the evaporated water with salt water (instead of RODI) until the salinity raises to 1.026. Are there are issues with doing this I haven't considered?

 

[Spideybry]

That is fine. Just make sure to keep an eye on it. This is better than trying to bring it up an too fast. Shouldn't be any issues with doing this that I can think of except keeping an eye on the SG to make sure you don't go too high.

 

[downbeach]

That's probably the best way to do it. What are you using to measure your SG?

 

[Classklown90]

Another way would be to raise your waterchange salinity. L3ts say you ueually mix it to 1.025. Try 1.026 or 7 after a couple of changes it should be good. The issue with topping off is that it may raise it too quickly depending on how often you top off

Sent from my galaxy s4

 

[Fish Brain]

When my salinity gets too low, I turn off my ATO and check the SG every day and top off with saltwater to keep the levels in the sump the same. When I hit 1.026, I turn the ATO back on.

I've had to do this once or twice when my skimmer was skimming wet and the ATO added too much water.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

 

[BryanDuggan]

Thanks everyone.

I don't have an ato, which I recognize as being a useful piece of equipment, but as a newbie I'm spending time every day examining the tank so adding some water isn't terribly inconvenient. I have a crappy instant ocean salinity tester, the swinging arm type, I plan to buy a refractomoter next chance I can. Glad to hear I'm not messing up any chemical levels by going this route, I wasn't sure if my Ca or Alk would get thrown off.

Bryan Duggan

 

[dirtycontour]

Is your tank stocked with any fish/coral? I'd get a second opinion on your SG reading before adjusting any levels.

 

[Classklown90]

Thanks everyone.

I don't have an ato, which I recognize as being a useful piece of equipment, but as a newbie I'm spending time every day examining the tank so adding some water isn't terribly inconvenient. I have a crappy instant ocean salinity tester, the swinging arm type, I plan to buy a refractomoter next chance I can. Glad to hear I'm not messing up any chemical levels by going this route, I wasn't sure if my Ca or Alk would get thrown off.

Bryan Duggan

Whats your location. Ill test it if you wanna come by. Im in 08106

Sent from my galaxy s4

 

[BryanDuggan]

Thanks classclown. I have to swing by fengs this week so I'll ask him to check my SG, I don't know why I didn't think of that sooner.

 

[BryanDuggan]

As a general note - this forum and all of you really make this hobby what it is. I've been involved in many hobbies and have never come across as many generous and helpful people as I have here and at the NJRC meetings. This could have been a brief, expensive, and frustrating venture but thanks to you i have learned a lot and developed what i feel will be a lifelong interest.

Sincerest thanks.

Bryan