Can I add salt to the sump?

[jimbow]

So I got some calibration fluid for my Refractometer. I thought it was pretty close because I had 2 different LFS check my water and got readings near mine. Anyhow I am off by a bit 1.022 in the tank. I added some salt to my auto water change so it is like 1.027. I add about 6000 ML per day so it should slowly move the water up. I was wondering if I could add small amounts of salt directly to the sump to get up closer over a few days.

Or would it be a good idea to put a little salt in my Top off water?

 

[James77]

I would do the salt in the top off water. Or remove a gallon from the tank and replace it with higher salt water several times a day.

 

[Reef Frog]

I disagree. Salt in top off water isn't a good idea for w few reasons. The main one is the opportunity for error. JMO.

You could just turn off the ATO for a day or two and replace evap water with some premade 1.026 SW. The evaporation will raise salinity as will the addition of the 1.026 SW. Be vigilant. Chexk salinity after each addition as the salinity could raise too fast or over shoot the mark. It could also be done by evaporation alone. Depends on you LR tank size & evap rate.

 

[Reef Frog]

Mixed salt to sump ok. You're not talking about salt right? That answer is NO, NEVER.

 

[jimbow]

I should have mentioned the tank is a 150 with a 40 gal sump

It will take a while to raise the salinity.

 

[Reef Frog]

It can happen quicker than you think. You can do a paper simulation. You can add higher concentrate SW to speed it up. But take it easy if there any animals in there. Too fast & some may suffer or die.

Empty tank? Do it as fast as you want.

 

[CStrickland]

If you're topping off manually, it's easier to use salt water to do it. I wouldn't put it in an automated ato just cause it would be annoying to dump it out and replace with fresh water when you hit the right salinity. I'm guilty of throwing a few teaspoons of salt in the sump when my skimmer overflowed. But I wouldn't recommend it another good option is adding extra salt water when you do a change. So your sump is filled an inch or teo higher than normal, and the ato won't kick on until that extra water evaps - and your sg is raised.

 

[Potatohead]

If you're cycling with no livestock you can add salt directly but if there's anything in there, don't. It needs to mix for at least 30-60 minutes or so.

 

[Reef Frog]

If you're cycling with no livestock you can add salt directly but if there's anything in there, don't. It needs to mix for at least 30-60 minutes or so.

New bare tank, first time filli is ok. First & last time. Don't do it with LR in tank.

 

[SALTYwaterDOG]

Top off manually with SW, what's the rush

 

[jduck]

Nothing good in this hobby happens fast

 

[JohnnyHildo]

in this circumstance as mentioned i would just manually top off with saltwater and give the ato the day off.
when i mix my saltwater i always make at least one extra pail of RODI water so i can add salt and i leave enough room in the pail in case i need to add water.
i also never screw around by adding water that is "close enough". if it isn't 1.025 at tank temperature it doesn't go in and i would never add salt to a running system.
setting yourself up for success in this hobby seems to help skirt a lot of the avoidable head-slap moments.

 

[gone fishin]

1.022 is not the end of the world and it sounds like it has been that way for awhile. Personally I would just make up the salinity you want to get to for WC's and go from there, eventually you will get there in time.

 

[DrPheel]

Slowwww n steady :beachbum:

I would let it evaporate until your target specific gravity is reached and then add premix SW to level your sump/display out at the same specific gravity. Try cracking a window open or running a fan to help evaporation if you want to to happen a bit quicker.