Raising salt levels without a water change?

[Belivie0619]

So we just did a water change yesterday, our sodium was a low prior. So we mixed our water to 1.027 to try to offset and bring up the salinity. It’s now only 1.023. I didn’t want to do a whole water change again, but that’s what my husband thinks in the only way to raise. What suggestions do you all have?

 

[Shibaken3]

1.023 is good enough for fish only. if aiming for 1.025 just add salt in the tank slowly that's what I do.

 

[carmodpg]

Many people would probably frown on this, but there has been a number of times when my salinity was a little off after a water change and I just dumped some salt into the overflow chamber.

 

[LuizW13]

Make your top-off water salty and let it automatically raise your tank salinity over some time through the ATO.

Just make sure to check the salinity a couple times a day to make sure you didn't overshoot it.

 

[exnisstech]

Make your top-off water salty and let it automatically raise your tank salinity over a some time through the ATO.

This^

 

[dadnjesse]

I replace evaporated water with pre made saltwater until my salinity is where I want.

 

[Gtinnel]

I would either add some saltwater to my ATO or just add some saltwater to the tank/sump. Once the extra water evaporates it will raise salinity. Just don’t add enough that if the power goes off you could overflow your sump.

 

[Belivie0619]

Thank you guys! We are going OOT so I’m nervous to add to our top off tank while we are away and can’t closely monitor it. We do have both reef and fish so we definitely need to get it raised. I considered mixing and adding to the sump, my husband is hesitant to do that. I’m equally as nervous about leaving with the salinity lower than I’d like as well. Ugh!

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Many people would probably frown on this, but there has been a number of times when my salinity was a little off after a water change and I just dumped some salt into the overflow chamber.

This. Usually I add it to the sump and toss a powerhead that I use for detritus cleanup in whatever chamber I add it to.

 

[Spare time]

Don't dump salt in the tank. That is just asking for an issue. Just top of with salt water.


Also, 1.023 is fine

 

[GobyGuy]

Thank you guys! We are going OOT so I’m nervous to add to our top off tank while we are away and can’t closely monitor it. We do have both reef and fish so we definitely need to get it raised. I considered mixing and adding to the sump, my husband is hesitant to do that. I’m equally as nervous about leaving with the salinity lower than I’d like as well. Ugh!

Dealing with the same issue in the past led me to jump from the low salinity problem to stressing the fish out raising it fast

i think I’m supporting ATO topping off with salinity of desired range

 

[Gtinnel]

Thank you guys! We are going OOT so I’m nervous to add to our top off tank while we are away and can’t closely monitor it. We do have both reef and fish so we definitely need to get it raised. I considered mixing and adding to the sump, my husband is hesitant to do that. I’m equally as nervous about leaving with the salinity lower than I’d like as well. Ugh!

Just be careful not to increase salinity too fast (which is an advantage of using the ATO) and if not home I would be reluctant to add all of the saltwater that is needed to reach your desired salinity. If the corals are doing okay at the current salinity then they will probably be fine staying there until you get back.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I generally in a case like this I mix new water to 1.027 and then take a 1 quart cup and remove water from sump. Enter the new 1.027 water with same quart cup to the sump
Wait 15 to 20 minutes and repeat until you reach at least 1.024/1.025
In essense you will have also exchanged water

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

+1 just make some extra salty top off water and add it to the tank vs. Adding fresh water for top off. This will raise your salinity over time gradually and just check it when you can
When at your desired level. Switch back to fresh

 

[Belivie0619]

Just be careful not to increase salinity too fast (which is an advantage of using the ATO) and if not home I would be reluctant to add all of the saltwater that is needed to reach your desired salinity. If the corals are doing okay at the current salinity then they will probably be fine staying there until you get back.

What is the concern with raising it too fast?? What could happen? What is considered too fast?

 

[Belivie0619]

Don't dump salt in the tank. That is just asking for an issue. Just top of with salt water.


Also, 1.023 is fine

We have reef tank, so my understanding is that’s too low? I would never just dump salt in, I’d premix first and slowly add.

 

[bnord]

Have been in that situation before. I mix up a very salty quart mixing bowl And then slowly add water several times during the day or 3 until you get it where you want it. I understand you’re going out of town so might want to start doing that and then wait till you get back to finish it. You should do it slowly and not worry that 1.023 is too low for a short period of time. Also make sure your refractometer is calibrated, might not be as low as you think it is. Best of luck

 

[fish farmer]

Many people would probably frown on this, but there has been a number of times when my salinity was a little off after a water change and I just dumped some salt into the overflow chamber.

I've added small scoops of salt into my skimmer chamber before.

 

[WVNed]

I add a 4 cups to my sump at a time. That's what the measure holds. Quite often I add it twice.
No, you dont add it to the DT

 

[Rmckoy]

1.023 is good enough for fish only. if aiming for 1.025 just add salt in the tank slowly that's what I do.

Do not add salt directly into the tank if there is any livestock .