Water Changes and doing them right

[spdjnky]

Hi everyone I'm back to trying to decide how to go about them the easiest way. I have my SW mixing station set up and it works fine but the way I did it with Brute Containers and where I have the bulkhead fittings prevent me from knowing the exact amount of gallons I can pump at one time. What I mean is that I can mix 20 gallons that I have a mark setup for and know how much salt to add to make 1.025. That being said my 75 gallon aquarium is off right know 1.022 and I need to figure out the easiest way to bring it back to 1.025 and keep it there. I have some pics posted in my albums.
I need to figure out the best way to go. I can fill the sump but need a mark off where I am starting from when I have everything right and then go from there right? Here I go again? I can mix and put it in auto and if I pump it out I can do that auto to but how to do it?
I will try to update my album for more pics
Thanx Phil
On the drain part I have a 1/2 PVC line that is lower than the main display that I was going to use . So as u can see I have all kinds of ideas but no easy awnsers.

 

[thegrun]

As far as raising the salinity the safest way to do that is use regular 1.025 saltwater as the top off water until the tank slowly rises to the desired 1.025 salinity. Assuming your sump has some extra capacity you could also overfill the sump with extra saltwater which would prevent additional fresh water from being introduced. As water evaporates the salinity will slowly rise.

 

[Monte26]

Yeah, I like the using saltwater as top off water until your tank reaches desired levels. This will ensure the change is gradual.

 

[spdjnky]

Thx I didn't think of that I turned off my ATO thinking I don't know what now but that would work to get back to where I want to be I will try that tomorrow.I can make a 5 gallon bucket up and just keep checking it right?

 

[spdjnky]

Then I can get everything right as far as my water levels in the sump and main tank and start over again. The main tank is right I was just meaning that my sump has a min and a max approx for the skimmer is running right as far as the water level.

 

[thelawnwrangler]

Then I can get everything right as far as my water levels in the sump and main tank and start over again. The main tank is right I was just meaning that my sump has a min and a max approx for the skimmer is running right as far as the water level.

Generally I have seen people skimmer in a separate area of the sump that the water level doesn't fluctuate. I assume they then top off in the last compartment with the return pump. I have an all in one, but my last sump section lowers first so I just top off to the grates every time and my salinity stays pretty constant.

I started out with 1.022 (lfs bought saltwater) and just topped off with saltwater until I got where I wanted. It keep me to about a .001 increase a day just based on my evaporation I guess at the time.

 

[WaReefer458]

I use a gravity feed from a 5 gal water jug to a float valve. I add a gal or two of saltwater to my sump so it just basically stops adding fresh topoff water until it evaporates and slowly raises it