Wet or dry skimmate?

brandon4432 · Oct 13, 2015

RareEarthCorals said:
Yes, any fluid evaporation will effect the concentration of your salinity. In order to control your salinity levels you should use an Auto Top Off (ATO). This will continually add Fresh Water (that you keep in a reserve tank) and replace your water level, ergo the salinity remains in balance.

I get that but if the skimmer pulls out a cup of saltwater and that water is replaced with fresh RODI the salinity is going to continually decrease

RareEarthCorals · Oct 13, 2015

brandon4432 said:
I get that but if the skimmer pulls out a cup of saltwater and that water is replaced with fresh RODI the salinity is going to continually decrease

Yes, I would imagine that could happen. If that were the case then your skimmer is sitting too low in the water line and your cup would include mostly tank water, not much skimmate. Overall in my cup it takes three to four days to fill six ounces and my ATO replaces every drop in the water level with RTO. I test my salinity 1x/2x a week and my levels are fine and remain at 1.026. I would imagine my content is mostly evaporation, and Yes as what you describe does happen, but there are other issues at play. I would not worry to much about it once you get your skimmer fine tuned pulling mostly skimmate and evaporated water content.

RareEarthCorals · Oct 13, 2015

Also if you notice any diluted content then you can just add a cup more of saltwater during your water changes if you notice any changes.

brandon4432 · Oct 14, 2015

RareEarthCorals said:
Also if you notice any diluted content then you can just add a cup more of saltwater during your water changes if you notice any changes.

Thanks! I love how active you are at giving out such helpful information all around the entire forum!

RareEarthCorals · Oct 14, 2015

Thanks, I love reefing and I am retired. If I can help I will. I learn as much from others as I do give advice. I always say its good to take someone else's advice but research research research.

Kungpaoshizi · Oct 15, 2015

It's a long-debated topic, but I always try to get it as wet as I can but not so wet I have to empty it more than once every few days. Some people even do waterchanges now through the skimmer.
After trying both wet and dry setups, I will say the biggest positive impact I've noticed is turning the skimmer off during the day. I go with 8 hours, I think Leng Sy still suggests 6.

brandon4432 · Oct 15, 2015

Kungpaoshizi said:
It's a long-debated topic, but I always try to get it as wet as I can but not so wet I have to empty it more than once every few days. Some people even do waterchanges now through the skimmer.
After trying both wet and dry setups, I will say the biggest positive impact I've noticed is turning the skimmer off during the day. I go with 8 hours, I think Leng Sy still suggests 6.

So I've heard! My fear with wet skimming is simply this: the more water i lose from my system the more salinity could be off. I'm only running a 10 gallon tank.

Robertchrisroph · Oct 16, 2015

@brandon4432 hello. Just a note. You have a ten gallon tank? The skimmer size for that tank would be very small. Not like someone with a big skimmer and cup size. If you notice a difference in salinity you would be way to wet. Good luck. The worry I would have is what skimmer do I buy? Lol

brandon4432 · Oct 16, 2015

Robertchrisroph said:
@brandon4432 hello. Just a note. You have a ten gallon tank? The skimmer size for that tank would be very small. Not like someone with a big skimmer and cup size. If you notice a difference in salinity you would be way to wet. Good luck. The worry I would have is what skimmer do I buy? Lol

Thanks for the re-assurance! I'm so nervous about my levels in the tank being its a challenge to keep a nano stable. Maybe I'm a little paranoid![emoji23]

brandon4432 · Oct 16, 2015

Robertchrisroph said:
@brandon4432 hello. Just a note. You have a ten gallon tank? The skimmer size for that tank would be very small. Not like someone with a big skimmer and cup size. If you notice a difference in salinity you would be way to wet. Good luck. The worry I would have is what skimmer do I buy? Lol

Also I went with the Mame Design Protein skimmer. Due to its "nano" size and decent appearance!

Here's a link: http://saltwater-conversion.com/products/mame-skimmer

Cali-Saltwater-1st-Timer · Jun 12, 2020

brandon4432 said:
So I've heard! My fear with wet skimming is simply this: the more water i lose from my system the more salinity could be off. I'm only running a 10 gallon tank.

Why are you skimming a 10 gallon tank to begin with? No need. At that size a skimmer is a waste imo.

AdamNC · Jun 12, 2020

Cali-Saltwater-1st-Timer said:
Why are you skimming a 10 gallon tank to begin with? No need. At that size a skimmer is a waste imo.

Even at 10g a skimmer provides oxygenation.

Cali-Saltwater-1st-Timer · Jun 13, 2020

As does a wave maker. Just think it's an unnecessary expense on a tank that size. Water changes on a 10 gallon are really all you need imo.

AdamNC said:
Even at 10g a skimmer provides oxygenation.

Plecosam · Jun 13, 2020

Cali-Saltwater-1st-Timer said:
Why are you skimming a 10 gallon tank to begin with? No need. At that size a skimmer is a waste imo.

Well maybe being that the post was 5 years ago OP learnt about wasted skimming. But if you feel your opinion is helpful then more power to you.

brandon4432
Active Member · 23
Joined Aug 3, 2015
Last seen Feb 2, 2018
Find all posts
Find all threads

strixs · Dec 5, 2023

Just out curiosity I run mine wet and I’ve got a auto top up but my salinity is still fluctuating I’ll do a water change and get the salt back to 0.26 but within two days it’s dropped to 0.22 and not sure if the wet skim is pulling more Salt then it should dunno how to keep it stable