Always Topping Off???

[KingSpade]

it seems like i am topping my sump off everyday, the return pump bay will drop like 2-3 inches overnight, is this normal?

 

[aubee91]

Re: Always Topping Off???

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6824088#post6824088 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by KingSpade
it seems like i am topping my sump off everyday, the return pump bay will drop like 2-3 inches overnight, is this normal?

Before I was using autotopoff, I'd have to top off my sump twice a day as it dropped a couple of inches each time. So that is pretty normal, IME. Especially if you are using a lot of light and are getting a lot of evaporative cooling.

Fwiw, that's not necessarily a good thing either as you do get a certain amount of salinity swing as a result. If I ever let my topoff reservoir go empty for a few hours and my sump water level drops an inch or two, my Organ Pipe coral starts closing its polyps. I guess it doesn't like salinity changes, especially a rise since I run my salinity at about 1.026 anyway. Other inverts don't particularly like salinity changes either although the fish don't seem to care as much. Might want to try topping off more often or going to autotopoff depending on what animals you're keeping.

HTH.

Brad

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

what are dimensions of return area?
i lose about 3 gallons every 24hrs. on my 150 total gallon system,
and must refill everyday or i get too close to starting to run my return pump dry

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Most tanks lose on the order of 0.5 to 2.5% of their volume each day.

 

[Anemonebuff]

I lose 1-2 gallons a day in winter and about 1 gallon a day in the summer. Yes, very normal.

I use this one with a maxi jet pump and a ten gallon freshwater tank:


http://www.championlighting.com/product.php?productid=17525&cat=388&page=1

 

[UnderwaterExotic]

I lose 5 gallons a day per tank! I have an RO/DI hooked directly in all my tanks with float valves. Never have to carry a bucket again, unless its salt! :lol:

 

[jdieck]

I loose about 1% a day but the main tank as well as the sump are covered and keep the temperature at 79*F

 

[KingSpade]

anemonebuff, do you top off with freshwater?

 

[KingSpade]

i guess i dont understand how you can top off with fresh water and have that be good for the tank??

 

[minimalist]

Because only the H2O evaporates. The salt stays in the system.

 

[Jon Evans]

If you add saltwater for makeup water, your reef will turn into the dead sea.

 

[KingSpade]

so if i set up a 20 gallon with a top off system all i need in there is fresh water and it wont mess with my salinity?

 

[KingSpade]

what do you consider make up water? sump top off or tank top off, are you saying that the only water that should be mixed with salt is water made up for water changes??

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6824577#post6824577 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by KingSpade
what do you consider make up water? sump top off or tank top off, are you saying that the only water that should be mixed with salt is water made up for water changes??

Absolutely right. Salt mix is for water changes, fresh water or Kalk mix with fresh water(For adding Calcium and Alaklinity) as top off to either the tank or the sump, it makes no difference were unless you use an auto top off, the only level that will drop and be able to detect it is in the sump.

 

[THEPHISHGUY]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6824577#post6824577 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by KingSpade
what do you consider make up water? sump top off or tank top off, are you saying that the only water that should be mixed with salt is water made up for water changes??

EXACTLY!

 

[L8ndeb]

Kingspade,
This is what I use. I fill it on average once a week. No moving parts. Works on a simple siphon principle. If your a DIY'er, it's great.

 

[KingSpade]

i would like to start dosing KALK for coraline growth, what and how do i do this??