A couple newbie questions

[Kardjunkie]

I bought a established tank and have had it running at my place for 101 days. I have learned a lot and bought some used equipment or a larger tank and setting it up but a few things I have researched a lot of can not seem to find the answers to. Sorry if they are really apparent and I have just not seen or understand some of these.

First...what is the best way to clean test equipment, i.e test tubes, vials, syringes? I have just been rinsing off with tap water and drying them off with paper towel. Just worried some minerals or other dissolved substances are still on the glass and syringes.

Second...With ATOs. My Biocube is starting to evaporate a lot now with much warmer weather which is affecting my salinity and requiring checking and manual addition every day. I have an InTank media rack but not understanding a principle about ATOs. If they are behind a filtering system such as a filter pad that restricts flow when dirty and need replacing, won't this create a problem by water level being lower but not salinity and diluting the water and actually lowering the salinity lower than it should be?

Sorry if these are obvious questions that I am missing, and appreciate any help or answers.

Thanks


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[titus_4]

I think I understand what you are asking about the ATO...why are you running the tube from it behind a filter pad? If you ran it directly into the tank, a dirty filter pad would't hold up the flow.

 

[Kardjunkie]

A couple newbie questions

Thanks Titus but don't people run them behind a filter sock in the sump which could have the same effect? On the BioCube most seem to run in chamber three after the InTank with a filter pad. From what you saying run it chamber 1 before the filter pad which makes sense. On the sump part because I am setting up a larger tank. Will the filter socks have an impact like I was asking?


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[sirclintler]

My ATO runs directly to the sump return, If you are not using a sump then run it directly to you DT as the ATO is already good/clean water there is no need to filter.
As far as cleaning your test equipment I use a spare gallon container of RO water for a quick dip and swish,

 

[thegrun]

1. I first rinse my tubes and syringes in tap water and then rinse twice with RO/DI water to flush away the mineral deposits in the tap water. Periodically if I see deposits in the test tubes I will soak them in white vinegar and then flush them with RO/DI water.
2. Dirty filters will restrict the flow a little but in most tank this should not be enough of a restriction to significantly change the salinity level and any changes that do occur are over a period of time so that your livestock will not be detrimentally effected. On a side not all mechanical filters should be cleaned every 3-4 days maximum.

 

[titus_4]

Thanks Titus but don't people run them behind a filter sock in the sump which could have the same effect? On the BioCube most seem to run in chamber three after the InTank with a filter pad. From what you saying run it chamber 1 before the filter pad which makes sense. On the sump part because I am setting up a larger tank. Will the filter socks have an impact like I was asking?


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As sirclintler stated, in a sump, run it into the return section. That's where mine is located. Running it through a filter pad/sock is redundant as the top off water is already pure from RO/DI.

I am unfamiliar with BioCubes so I can't help on which chamber to run it in. I would personally just run it directly into the display without it running through any type filter. My Tunze works great. I just periodically wipe off the sensor to keep anything from building up.

 

[sde1500]

I don't think your filter pad should restrict flow to the point where your ATO will decrease salinity by too much. Actually, you'll probably have more pressing issues than salinity to worry about first if you are letting the filters get that dirty.

Titus, when he is saying behind a filter, he doesn't mean run RODI through it, he means water from his tank flows first through a filter section, to a skimmer section, then the return section, where the ATO will be hooked up. The filter section could theoretically get dirty, and clogged, restricting flow, causing the ATO to add extra water.

 

[titus_4]

I don't think your filter pad should restrict flow to the point where your ATO will decrease salinity by too much. Actually, you'll probably have more pressing issues than salinity to worry about first if you are letting the filters get that dirty.

Titus, when he is saying behind a filter, he doesn't mean run RODI through it, he means water from his tank flows first through a filter section, to a skimmer section, then the return section, where the ATO will be hooked up. The filter section could theoretically get dirty, and clogged, restricting flow, causing the ATO to add extra water.

Ah, ok now I'm understanding what he was asking. You are right, I was thinking he meant needing to filter the ATO water.

You are also correct about if it were to happen the way he was describing, salinity wouldn't be the main concern at that point.

Thanks for clearing that up!

 

[Kardjunkie]

Thanks guy. I get it now, basically husbandry must take place and no issues. On my BioCube I switch from floss filters that would last three to four days but for expense reason switch to those pink floss on eBay and I have to change literally everyday or flow back up behind it in the media tray. Not a big deal but when I change to to sump with filter socks, I should probably have several sets of socks.


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[homer1475]

Save yourself some dough and go to walmart or any craft store and buy a big bag of pillow stuffing(poly fill). It's the same exact stuff filter pads are made from and way cheaper. I bought a bag of it when I setup my biocube, and even with several weekly changes(like every other day), I still have half the bag left(think the entire bag was like five bucks) and it's been just over a year now.

In your biocube, the ATO should be setup to fill the pump chamber(last chamber). If your media rack gets so clogged up its affecting the water level, you will have way more issues then worrying about salinity from the ATO overfilling the tank.

In a sump setup, again the ATO fill line goes in the pump section(this is where you'll notice the water level change, same as your biocube).