Mixing station salinity control

[action21]

Is it better or worse to mix a higher salinity 1.030 in one 65 gallon container and Rodi in another and let apex probe control final salinity mix in tank?

 

[sde1500]

Depends how much you trust the probe I guess

 

[#1Fellowreefer]

Is it better or worse to mix a higher salinity 1.030 in one 65 gallon container and Rodi in another and let apex probe control final salinity mix in tank?

What are you trying to achieve by keeping a mix at 1.030??

 

[action21]

What are you trying to achieve by keeping a mix at 1.030??

If tank drops salinity level apex triggers salt mix tank until level increased. If tank increases salinity apex increased water level until 1.026 is achieved. Or am I over thinking this?

 

[action21]

This is how it worked

 

[lapin]

So if you have an ATO with salt water and one with fresh water. Are they going to fight each other if the water is not mixed as it nears the probe ?
Im confused

 

[piranhaman00]

This is not a good idea!!

The apex conductivity probe is notoriously finicky. You will end up dumping in saltwater when you shouldn’t be.

 

[action21]

So the recommendation is to just mix the salt to 1.026 and only use it to replenish? What about evaporation? Btw 180 gallon tank and 44 gal sump

 

[#1Fellowreefer]

If tank drops salinity level apex triggers salt mix tank until level increased. If tank increases salinity apex increased water level until 1.026 is achieved. Or am I over thinking this?

In my opinion I wouldn’t do this, however if you maintain a proper ATK along with optional sensor to maintain water level in your sump you shouldn’t have to worry about your salinity to fluctuate as the ATK will maintain the proper water level for you by topping off the fresh water for that’s evaporated. I hope this helps and makes sense. Instead of this you can setup a AWC using these two containers you have for your build. Just my two cents.

 

[lapin]

Most people adjust the salinity at the time of a water change.
You have 200 gallons of water how great is the evap rate? Are you doing weekly water changes or trying to not do changes ?

 

[Seadoc]

I do AWC using DOS and ATO with the Apex ATK2. I check salinity once a week as I don't trust the probe except to tell me if there is a major shift in salinity. When the salinity is low, I turn the ATO off, let evaporation do its thing and have a virtual outlet in Apex that will use the AWC DOS to put saltwater in the system.

 

[Reef AquaCult]

bad idea

 

[dwest]

So the recommendation is to just mix the salt to 1.026 and only use it to replenish? What about evaporation? Btw 180 gallon tank and 44 gal sump

Evaporation should be controlled by ATO. If one gallon of water evaporates, your sump level goes down and one gallon of RODI water is added.

Then mix your water change water to 1.026 specific gravity. Replace in your tank as much as you remove for the water change.

I agree that the apex probe should not be used for salinity control.

 

[ColdOceanReef]

Bad idea, overthink, overkill and never trust apex conductivity probe.

 

[action21]

Most people adjust the salinity at the time of a water change.
You have 200 gallons of water how great is the evap rate? Are you doing weekly water changes or trying to not do changes ?

I do 15% change per week sometimes more depending on maintenance

 

[action21]

This is my apex setup. Again I do use refractor once every two weeks and use refractor calibration.