ATO Stuck On - Dropped salinity to 20ppm

[Frank_Aaron]

As the title says, my ATO stuck in the on position and I came for find it at 20ppm. LPS is all retracted, and it looks like I've lost a hammer coral. All of my SPS still has polop extension and the fish seem to be reacting fine. I know I need to bring the salt level up slowly but how slow should I go? Anything I should look out for etc?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Did the tank overflow at all? If not i would just let evaporation do the work for you. As your water evaporates your salinity will slowly climb back up to normal once it gets to the level it should be you can turn back on your ato. If you do water changes to bring it back up I fear it'll be to much of a salinity swing and you'll loose more.

 

[Frank_Aaron]

My sump was overflowing when I found it. I emptied 20 gallons and replaced it with 30ppm saltwater to just under the brim. Wanted to make sure there was even enough salt in the system to bring it back up. (80 gal system) I'm still at 20ppm, so I'm just going to leave it and let it evaporate till I'm back to 35ppm.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Same thing happen to me today bit not as bad, 1.025 down to 1.022 and nearly flooded my sump. Darn ATOs with there random failures.

 

[joeyamador]

If this happens I always suggest a box fan to help encourage evaporation in order to raise the salinity...I have 2 small fans over my sump for this reason as my ato has gone crazy when my float switch sticks on my collection cup on my skimmer. I also will top off with salt water as the return chamber lowers in my sump.. helps me.. just dont do it to fast.