Salinity modification

[Rmckoy]

A question regarding salinity .
testing with a freshly calibrated Hanna salinity meter .

I have noticed if I mix water change water to 1.026 with skimmer taking water out , evap etc the salinity always drops to 1.024

so this water change I’m thinking of mixing my water at 1.027-1.028
Water change is 23 gals .
tank is 230 gal so 10% water change .

will the higher salinity make that much of a difference to worry about ?
Will it be too much of a swing in salinity or even alkalinity ?

 

[vetteguy53081]

A question regarding salinity .
testing with a freshly calibrated Hanna salinity meter .

I have noticed if I mix water change water to 1.026 with skimmer taking water out , evap etc the salinity always drops to 1.024

so this water change I’m thinking of mixing my water at 1.027-1.028
Water change is 23 gals .
tank is 230 gal so 10% water change .

will the higher salinity make that much of a difference to worry about ?
Will it be too much of a swing in salinity or even alkalinity ?

1.024 is acceptable. Calibrate your salinity tester,
Generally through evaporation , salinity increases - Not Decreses UNLESS you have an ato and its delivering too much plain water to system

 

[Garf]

According to your calculations, your skimmer is pulling out about 15 gallons a week, or you’ve got a leak, or your salinity test is erroneous.

 

[Rmckoy]

1.024 is acceptable. Calibrate your salinity tester,
Generally through evaporation , salinity increases - Not Decreses UNLESS you have an ato and its delivering too much plain water to system

As the skimmer takes water out .
The ato maintains the same level in the sump . Over time the salinity lowers .

 

[Rmckoy]

According to your calculations, your skimmer is pulling out about 15 gallons a week, or you’ve got a leak, or your salinity test is erroneous.

I haven’t changed water in a long time as nutrient levels are near zero .

the skimmer doesn’t leak .
ita a Mrc external skimmer .
the ato maintains the same level in the sump .
so if I empty the collection cup which holds maybe 1/2 gallon of salt water
the ato is pumping that 1/2 gallon of freshwater in to compensate .
How long you ask .

I honestly can’t remember when the last water change was

 

[Rmckoy]

So back to the original question .

is mixing new water at 1.027 going to effect everything in a negative way being only a 10% water change ?

 

[Goaway]

I haven’t changed water in a long time as nutrient levels are near zero .

the skimmer doesn’t leak .
ita a Mrc external skimmer .
the ato maintains the same level in the sump .
so if I empty the collection cup which holds maybe 1/2 gallon of salt water
the ato is pumping that 1/2 gallon of freshwater in to compensate .
How long you ask .

I honestly can’t remember when the last water change was

I am in the same boat. Except, not that heavy duty of a skimmer. I have to test my salinity weekly and make sure to add salt accordingly. Monthly the water change is still 1.026. As I don't want to add anything higher. So, I just add a half a cup of salt to a batch of freshwater weekly to keep the levels elevated and not on the decline.

Makes me wonder if skimmers really pull out salt? I can't figure out where mine is going either.

 

[Goaway]

So back to the original question .

is mixing new water at 1.027 going to effect everything in a negative way being only a 10% water change ?

And probably not at all.

 

[Rmckoy]

I am in the same boat. Except, not that heavy duty of a skimmer. I have to test my salinity weekly and make sure to add salt accordingly. Monthly the water change is still 1.026. As I don't want to add anything higher. So, I just add a half a cup of salt to a batch of freshwater weekly to keep the levels elevated and not on the decline.

Makes me wonder if skimmers really pull out salt? I can't figure out where mine is going either.

If they skim wet , they do pull salt water along with organics .

 

[Goaway]

If they skim wet , they do pull salt water along with organics .

I do skim wet, makes plenty of sense.

 

[Rmckoy]

And probably not at all.

That was easy …
Thank you

I think the change would be minimal given the volume difference . But I worry about any fluctuation or swing .

 

[Goaway]

That was easy …
Thank you

I think the change would be minimal given the volume difference . But I worry about any fluctuation or swing .

You pretty much have it figured out. I don't like swings either. keeping my system at 1.026 is weekly chore.

 

[Rmckoy]

Not related at all …
But if I were to scrape most of the coralline that’s covering the side glass .
Should I save some or remove as much as possible ?

again . It will change the alkalinity consumption but will it effect anything else ?

 

[Rmckoy]

You pretty much have it figured out. I don't like swings either. keeping my system at 1.026 is weekly chore.

I haven’t changed water in forever as my nutrients were near zero .
but it’s time .

 

[DivingTheWorld]

Not related at all …
But if I were to scrape most of the coralline that’s covering the side glass .
Should I save some or remove as much as possible ?

again . It will change the alkalinity consumption but will it effect anything else ?

I scrape and chip off massive amounts of coraline every few months and it makes no change to Alk or other consumption.

 

[Rmckoy]

I scrape and chip off massive amounts of coraline every few months and it makes no change to Alk or other consumption.

Thank you

 

[DivingTheWorld]

So back to the original question .

is mixing new water at 1.027 going to effect everything in a negative way being only a 10% water change ?

No, the ideal way to increase your salinity is to either do a water change with higher salinity or just add more saltwater to your tank. Either work fine. I haven't had to increase salinity in a while due to my level of dosing and very dry skimming, but when I did I just dumped a scoop of dry salt into my overflow. It never caused an issue.

 

[Rmckoy]

Side before scraping ….

 

[Rmckoy]

Mrs clownfish is not happy .
she bites pretty hard !