Salinity creep

[Ebbott]

So when I setup my 14 gallon tank, I originally put the water in and then the salt (I know, should of premixed). Now I started using pre-salted RODI from the local store (just haven't gotten around to setting up my own yet). but have been using it for about a month.

When I do a water change, and put in their perfect 1.026 water, I always end up higher. As an an example, I just did a 20% water change, and afterward its measuring higher (1.028) . I think its just coming up out of the gravel when I vacuum. I will get some unsalted RODI to lower it down.

Is this something that someone has had before? Do I just need to keep doing weekly water changes till it clears? How long could it take?

So far, my corals (GSP and pulsing xenia) and snails (the only things I have in the tank) are just fine.

 

[Wes10C]

Are you topping off with saltwater?

 

[Ebbott]

yep. store purchased.

 

[Jekyl]

That's your problem. You top off with only RODI with no salt in it. Salt doesn't evaporate, only the water

 

[Jekyl]

.

 

[Ebbott]

hmmm....that could be it, but I rarely top off.

Of course, with such a small tank, guess it doesn't take much.

 

[Jekyl]

Top off especially on smaller tanks needs to be done daily or even more. Less water means bigger parameter swings from evaporation.

 

[Ebbott]

I top off MAYBE once a week. I just don't get a lot of evaporation.

 

[vetteguy53081]

salt evaporates and makes it saltier. Add RO water ( salt only at water change - IF needed).
Aim for 1.025. If it gets saltier, still in safe range

 

[Ebbott]

Guess I need that setup sooner than I thought, cause I don't feel like carrying two containers back from the store.

could just salt it myself, as well....

Thanks!

 

[Jekyl]

Having your own RoDi system will save you money in the long run. Not hard to install them.

 

[Ebbott]

Yeah, wasn't worried about installing it, was using purchased RODI as a stop gap. If I just salt it myself, It will cost me about $5 for 3 weeks, so not exactly bank breaking.