Need Help with Evaporation of Tank!

[InDahOcean]

So I haven't setup my tank yet, but I wanted to know when the water level is lowering because of evaporation. What do I do?

• Do I dump RO/DI water in or dump RO/DI water is already mixed with salt?
• Will dump more salt water into the tank raises the salinity?
• Or will pure RO/DI water lower the salinity?
• I want the salinity to stay the same, how do I maintain that?

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

Just add rodi water. The water evaporates but the salt remains. Adding more saltwater will raise salinity, yes. You will still need to check salinity every once in a while to make sure maintaining good numbers, as salt creep will lower salinity.

 

[InDahOcean]

Just add rodi water. The water evaporates but the salt remains. Adding more saltwater will raise salinity, yes. You will still need to check salinity every once in a while to make sure maintaining good numbers, as salt creep will lower salinity.

I heard about Auto Top Off, should I get one of those? Will ATO help keep the salinity stable with RO/DI water in the reservoir?

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

It's the most headache free way to go. Don't have one myself as I'm very hands on with my tank personally. I'd recommend the tunze osmolator if go that route. No hands on but reviews and safety features are a plus for that unit from the research I have done.

 

[Defiant Arms]

suggest reading a lot of the saltwater tank build threads and the new to saltwater threads also i found the bulk reef supply youtube videos to be helpful.

 

[InDahOcean]

Ok definitely will look into ATO, thx. Yup I watch a lot of BRS video thx for the advice.

 

[ahiggins]

How big is your tank going to be?
I have a 25 gal and I only have to add maybe a liter or two of RODI every 2-3 days or so BUT if youre looking at a 100 gal tank...maybe ATO is the way to go.
good luck!

 

[jamie callard Verified Sponsor]

Ato with rodi is the best route.

 

[ahiggins]

Ato with rodi is the best route.

I agree its the perfect case scenario, but its also one of those things you can skimp on. I have a 2.5 gal pail of RODI next to the tank that I take a liter from whenever I need to top off. I never have salinity swings (unless its my fault for making up a batch too high/low.)

 

[Brian Treadwell]

90 gallon DT and 30 gallon sump , lose about a gallon of 2.5 gallons of water ever 2 to 3 days , have SMART micro ATO , best thing ever added to tank.

 

[InDahOcean]

How big is your tank going to be?
I have a 25 gal and I only have to add maybe a liter or two of RODI every 2-3 days or so BUT if youre looking at a 100 gal tank...maybe ATO is the way to go.
good luck!

I have a 55-gallon tank and 25-gallon sump. I don't know anything about water displacement and keeping salinity stable. Will an Auto Top Off do for my setup?

 

[Brian Treadwell]

Yes , mine is in my cabinet next to my sump a little pump in the 2.5 gallon jug a optic eye that keeps water level in the sump constant

 

[RJinPV]

I have a 55-gallon tank and 25-gallon sump. I don't know anything about water displacement and keeping salinity stable. Will an Auto Top Off do for my setup?

I have the same size tank. I top off about 1/2 gal a day. Wish I had an ATO. That's a future project. Right now I have drawn a line on the side of the return pump chamber in the sump. I keep the water level at that line with daily RO/DI tops offs.

 

[zeeGGee]

I have a 6 months old 55 gal reef. No sump. I'm using Hydor Smart Level for ATO (RO water with kalk and vinegar). All prameters are fine..so far.Corals seem to be happy.

 

[kyleflahardy]

Draw two lines on your tank and whenever it dips out of the range add more water. Not saltwater though because it will raise the salinity.

 

[Aznxgqboyx]

Imo ato system should be one of the first investment before anytype of live stock (almost the same price) it makes reefing so much comfortable, more time looking at the tank instead of filling it with water everyday. Lol

 

[Kungpaoshizi]

Your tank is evaporating?! It's made of glass!

Totally joking.. But yes, if you don't have an ato, 2 lines on the tank help identify salinities. Just be sure to test salinity every now and then. Use DI water to refill.