Very confused

[Rob6311]

Ok so when I'm dealing with evaporation what do I do? I've been told to just add fresh water to just top off the tank, so rays what I've been doing, I mean it makes sense because the water evaporates but the salt stays, but then my salinity was low, and I'm just wondering if it's because of topping off the tank with fresh water or another reason

 

[m0nkie]

do you have a protein skimmer? topping off with RODI water will not reduce salinity. If you run your skimmer wet, your salinity might drop a lot. or when you acclimate and drip water from your tank.

 

[E46Twist]

Just evap you should use fresh rodi. Skimming and splashing can take some salt out. IMO just watch it and measure it every week or so and adjust accordingly. If it is fluctuating a lot though, that is a problem that needs solving.

 

[HumbleFish]

do you have a protein skimmer? topping off with RODI water will not reduce salinity. If you run your skimmer wet, your salinity might drop a lot. or when you acclimate and drip water from your tank.

+1 Sometimes you have to top off with SW to readjust your SG.

 

[Rob6311]

What do you mean by running my skimmer "wet"? Because I have a hang on the back skimmer and I have it set so that it doesn't take too much water in it, like the "stuff" in the cup is always like a blackish brown color so you can't see thought it

 

[cnreef]

What do you mean by running my skimmer "wet"? Because I have a hang on the back skimmer and I have it set so that it doesn't take too much water in it, like the "stuff" in the cup is always like a blackish brown color so you can't see thought it

That's good, by wet they mean the skimmate in the cup would be a little more watered down. Sounds like you're not running your skimmer wet.

 

[shesacharmer]

It just takes a little practice to learn how much to top off. An auto top off unit is a good tool to save for. Mine was about $70 and it keeps my salinity just perfect although I check it weekly just in case. My skimmer runs a little wetter than I'd like.

 

[Rob6311]

Ok thank you everyone!!

 

[m0nkie]

Since my tank is young, ive been buying new corals and using tank water to dip them. Losing lots of salt. So whenever i do water change, i top off a little more than usual. Let it evaporate for a day, then turn on my Tunze ATO. Brings salinity up a little

 

[Rob6311]

Yeah when ever I but something new automatically do a water change anyways

 

[Flippers4pups]

Ok so when I'm dealing with evaporation what do I do? I've been told to just add fresh water to just top off the tank, so rays what I've been doing, I mean it makes sense because the water evaporates but the salt stays, but then my salinity was low, and I'm just wondering if it's because of topping off the tank with fresh water or another reason

With this, I would question if your SG was off to begin with. How are you measuring you SG? With a hydrometer or refractometer?

 

[Sk8r]

Also---use a refractometer. Swing-arms lie, if there's a bubble on the swing arm.

 

[Rob6311]

I do have a refractometer, I've probably just been adding a little too much RODI each time I top off

 

[m0nkie]

I do have a refractometer, I've probably just been adding a little too much RODI each time I top off

Get an auto top off. Best investment ever