Salinity

milliesmillie · May 27, 2020

Hello,
So I have a Fluval EVO 13.5G, obviously this is a very small tank so evaporation and rise in salinity happens quick, I was just wondering is it safer to do a water change but include a topup inside of that water change... Meaning take out 5 litres add 8 or I could just top the tank up then change the water but I feel this is a waste of good water.

I was thinking (I know, god help us) if my salinty has rose to 1.27, can I add water that reads 1.23 to level it or does it not work like that? If it does/can work similar to this how can I work it out perfectly?
Millie x

MightyMO · May 27, 2020

milliesmillie said:
Hello,
So I have a Fluval EVO 13.5G, obviously this is a very small tank so evaporation and rise in salinity happens quick, I was just wondering is it safer to do a water change but include a topup inside of that water change... Meaning take out 5 litres add 8 or I could just top the tank up then change the water but I feel this is a waste of good water.

I was thinking (I know, god help us) if my salinty has rose to 1.27, can I add water that reads 1.23 to level it or does it not work like that? If it does/can work similar to this how can I work it out perfectly?
Millie x

Top off before you do water change and give it a bit to mix before your water change...

Webslinger · May 27, 2020

salt doesn't evaporate, just add rodi water

Aqua Man · May 27, 2020

I have small tank also. I need to add Fresh RO water at least 2 times a day to keep the salinity stable. Stability
When a water change needs done, salinity should match the tank

milliesmillie · May 27, 2020

MightyMO said:
Top off before you do water change and give it a bit to mix before your water change...

Mix the water in the tank before taking it out?

MightyMO · May 27, 2020

milliesmillie said:
Mix the water in the tank before taking it out?

No!!! Lol

milliesmillie · May 27, 2020

Aqua Man said:
I have small tank also. I need to add Fresh RO water at least 2 times a day to keep the salinity stable. Stability
When a water change needs done, salinity should match the tank

How small is your tank? I’m kinda worried now, I literally don’t do topups I only change the water twice per week (remove 5 litres add 8 with 5 litres worth of salt)

milliesmillie · May 27, 2020

MightyMO said:
No!!! Lol

I’m confused how you’ve described it. Sorry

milliesmillie · May 27, 2020

MightyMO said:
No!!! Lol

Sorry I read it wrong whoops

Aqua Man · May 27, 2020

If your tank is lower than your desired salinity, you can top off with salt water.

If it’s higher, than on water change you can mix your salt to a bit lower salinity.

Just don’t let it change drastically either way too fast.

milliesmillie · May 27, 2020

I

MightyMO said:
No!!! Lol

stir the salt into a bucket of ro for about 10-20 mins then leave the power head in there for about an hour

Aqua Man · May 27, 2020

How are you checking salinity? Lol

((FORDTECH)) · May 27, 2020

He means top off your tank with RODI water to get it at proper level and salt level back to where it supposta be and wait a little then do water change

MightyMO · May 27, 2020

Do your top off with your fresh water to get your levels correct in your tank (water levels). Let your pump mix that top off water into your tank water... mix up your water change water to the salinity it needs to be at... if your salinity is high after the water change, you can always take saltwater out of the tank and replace with freshwater. Just do it gradually so it gives the freshwater time to blend with the salt...

samnaz · May 27, 2020

You should be topping off with fresh water every day. Manually pour the water in. Other wise your salinity will rise over time.

MightyMO · May 27, 2020

And always follow the directions on your salt you are using, because some have different mix times... and always add your salt to water, not water to salt when mixing...