Learn from my mistake.

[Paul31733]

Hey just wanted to post a big mistake i have made so nobody else new like me will make the same mistake!

I recently was upgrading my fluval evo with an ATO and a new stronger return pump. I first installed the pump but did not turn on the power. I then installed the ATO with fresh water in the sump as recommended. (salt doesn't evaporate). I plugged them both into my power bar and turned the power on.

With the upgraded pump the water level in my tank raised up and the sump went dry. My ATO did its job and dumped in a bunch of fresh water.

I had an instant solinity drop from 1.025 to 1.022 and my alkilinity dropped from 11.5 to 10.

It has been almost a week now and so far everything in my tank is doing ok... I think... But i am losing sleep.... And possibly hair over this so I don't want this to happen to you!

I mixed up a fresh batch of saltwater and put that in my ATO reservoir to slowly bring it all back into spec.

Thanks.
Paul.

 

[tsouth]

That’s a worrisome experience to learn from and I’m sorry it happened, thankfully everyone looks to be in good health.

Could you tell us what prompted you to use your ato to elevate the salinity rather than keeping it functioning as it’s expected to?

Was there a reason you didn’t proceed with doing a water change with slightly elevated sg like 1.024 and then slowly increasing and testing it over the week?

 

[najer]

Been there, done that and you are by no means the first, hope it settles well for you.

 

[Paul31733]

That’s a worrisome experience to learn from and I’m sorry it happened, thankfully everyone looks to be in good health.

Could you tell us what prompted you to use your ato to elevate the salinity rather than keeping it functioning as it’s expected to?

Was there a reason you didn’t proceed with doing a water change with slightly elevated sg like 1.024?
[/QUOTE
I had researched and found some people saying to put salt water in my ATO to slowly bring up solinity. I have only been in the hobby for three months... I don't know what I am doing is the answer I guess haha

 

[Paul31733]

I had researched and found some people saying to put salt water in my ATO to slowly bring up solinity. I have only been in the hobby for three months... I don't know what I am doing is the answer I guess haha

 

[tsouth]

I had researched and found some people saying to put salt water in my ATO to slowly bring up solinity. I have only been in the hobby for three months... I don't know what I am doing is the answer I guess haha

Ah understood. My worry here is that you’ll double dip. With saltwater in the ato + the increase in salinity from evaporation means an accelerated rate of sg elevation. Be careful friend! Good luck!