Low water
- Thread starter Rayman
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Mike in CT
Valuable Member
Give us more info.... Is it from evaporation? Do you have a sump?
What water did you use to make the water you already have?
What water did you use to make the water you already have?
rayn
Bluefin Believer
Looks like two hob filters there. If no sump, then you need to top off the tank itself. Figure out a spot that the salinity is where you want it, then daily top it off to that point. When water evaporates the salinity raises and causes stress to your inhabitants.
Better yet, get a ten gallon and a ato and you won't have to worry so much, just refill the ten when needed.
Better yet, get a ten gallon and a ato and you won't have to worry so much, just refill the ten when needed.
HOB means hang on back.
You will need to add pre mixed salt water daily to your tank to top it off. Make sure the salinity and temperature matches the water in your tank.
You will need to add pre mixed salt water daily to your tank to top it off. Make sure the salinity and temperature matches the water in your tank.
FishGuyTy
Active Member
Do not add pre mixed salt water to top off your tank! You should be using fresh RO/DI water to top off the tank. When water evaporates from the tank, the salt does not leave the system so as more water leaves the tank via evaporation, the salt content, or salinity will rise slightly. If you topped off with mixed salt water, over time your salinity will rise to deadly levels. You want to try and maintain your water patrameters like salinity and keep them as constant as possible. Avoid letting that much water evaporate before topping off to avoid big swings in salinity and temperature. Add fresh water slowly to avoid shocking any live stock. You look to be about 4-6 gallons low, so add that much of 15-20 minutes, allowing time for it to mix before the next addition.
rayn
Bluefin Believer
Fishguy is right. Top off with ro/di water not salt water. Daily top off is essential to maintain parameters. Maybe even twice daily if you prefer.
Sorry about the terms, I am just used to them.
Sorry about the terms, I am just used to them.
It happens in every tank, I would recommend investing in a good auto top off system like the Tunze 3155 system. Hasn't failed me yet.
Adding pre mixed saltwater or fresh RO/DI water would depend on how much water you are adding to how large/small a tank.
This tank looks to be a small one. If you were to add 4 to 6 gallons of RO/DI water as you suggest there is a pretty good chance that the salinity level would drop.
Most people, know to check their salinity level before adding any kind of water more than a gallon or so.
If the salinity was correct when the tank was originally filled and you are not wet skimming or have excessive salt creep then ALWAYS top off with RO/DI water. If you add premixed salt water the salininty will be too high since salt does not evaporate.
Top the tank up to it maximum operating level with RO/DI then check and adjust the salinity if needed. Always add RO/DI only from then on as the salinity should rise as the tank level drops due to evaporation and be corrected when you top off with RO/DI.
I evaporate 2-3 gallons a week out of my 16G bowfront and 7-15 gallons out of my 100G so keeping fresh RO/DI on hand is important.
If you are doing a water change use premixed salt wate rsince yo uare removing the salt when you siphon the tank and need to replenish it.
Top the tank up to it maximum operating level with RO/DI then check and adjust the salinity if needed. Always add RO/DI only from then on as the salinity should rise as the tank level drops due to evaporation and be corrected when you top off with RO/DI.
I evaporate 2-3 gallons a week out of my 16G bowfront and 7-15 gallons out of my 100G so keeping fresh RO/DI on hand is important.
If you are doing a water change use premixed salt wate rsince yo uare removing the salt when you siphon the tank and need to replenish it.
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FishGuyTy
Active Member
Always check your salinity! You need to know where you are at and where you want to be. I have a 58 gallon tank. I can add 4 gallons of fresh RO and not even change the salinity by one whole point. The tank appeared to be a standard 55, hence adding 4-6 gallons of fresh RO will not drastically change the salinity. A change of one or 2 points is not going to cause issues with the current set up. It's doesn't cause issues in my stocked reef either. Try to avoid having swings of any kind in the future by adding fresh water weekly, or twice weekly. Invest in a nice refractometer and avoid those darn instant ocean plastic things.
Evaporated water should only be replaced with RO/DI water, not premixed water. When water evaporates it doesn't take salt with it, my bet is that its evap water, and his SG has gone up slightly because of the loss of FW.
In other words, just use normal water for top offs, to fill whats evaporated. Check your SG before doing so.
In other words, just use normal water for top offs, to fill whats evaporated. Check your SG before doing so.
bwalders65
Community Member
Also it is essential to use rodi so that you are not adding unwanted trace minerals and metals into your tank. It all adds up over time..
Alabamareef
Well-Known Member
Wendy, Evaporated water needs to be replaced with RO/DI water unless your wanting to elevate your salt levels. Only the water evaporates not the salt, it remains in the system..
jayhawk
Active Member
It sounds like Rayman is new to the hobby. A few things about the prior treads. RO/DI water is "reverse osmosis dionized" water. Most local fish stores that carry saltwater livestock will have it. ATO is "automatic top off". This refers to an automated way to fill your evaporated water versus a manual pouring of the water. Google will be your best friend when figuring out what is right for you....
