Yucky Salt Creep

[jessikarabbit]

We are having a serious salt creep problem on our glass canopy's and underneath in our first chamber of the refugium. I really try to wipe it off the canopy's whenever I see it, but I cant seem to keep up. I've heard that a vinegar and water solution helps, anyone have any feedback using this?

Also, I know its bad to knock it back into the tank if there are corals involved, but what about knocking it back into the refugium? Most of the salt creep down there is attached to tubes running from the protein skimmer and on the protein skimmer itself. There are no corals down below. Anyone think this would be safe?

 

[NanaReefer]

Knocking it back in the sump is fine. Tank, not. As for the creep on your glass tops, get rid of them they are more of a pain to keep clean then anything. Go with the clear mesh tops ( look at BRS for those ) or nothing at all.

 

[cdness]

Knocking it back in the sump is fine. Tank, not. As for the creep on your glass tops, get rid of them they are more of a pain to keep clean then anything. Go with the clear mesh tops ( look at BRS for those ) or nothing at all.

+! What he said...

 

[jlymner]

I like my glass cover but before I used it I coated the hinge with silicon and let it cure

 

[tinkerman]

If you can cut down on splashing water or bubbles this will help so it doesn't come back. You said you get a lot on and around your skimmer try putting a sponge or modding the out put so it doesn't splash.

 

[planereefer]

Vinegar works wonders!

+1 for vinegar.

You should be able to soak a rag or whatever in vinegar and wipe that stuff off.

 

[sailoracu2]

If you can cut down on splashing water or bubbles this will help so it doesn't come back. You said you get a lot on and around your skimmer try putting a sponge or modding the out put so it doesn't splash.

+ 1 on stopping the splashing!!

 

[jessikarabbit]

A mesh top isn't something we are interested in b/c we have our led lights on a stand on the tank, and also b/c of water evaporation. I will try the vinegar thing, and we are also looking for a small handheld vacuum like a dustbuster to pick up the loose creep. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[islander84]

Do you have a cover on your sump? Im pretty sure you will still get the same amount or close to the same amount of evaporation from your sump w or w/o your DT having covers.....

 

[nickbuol]

I've got LED lights and no way I am going to use glass tops. The glass traps or prevents gas exchange in the tank (especially during a power outage), traps heat, collects salt creep, etc. Mesh all the way.

If you have a sump, you are still losing a lot of water to evaporation since the moisture is picked up by the drier air in your house. Sure, you have some water flow for gas exchange, but still aren't solving the other issue that you think you are with evaporation.

If you don't have a sump, then you are basically putting water into a sealed coffin in my opinion.

Just like anything, different methodologies come and go over time. Glass tops were thought to be great back 10 years ago, now people are seeing better results with mesh. If your LEDs are right above the surface of the glass (and thus close to the water), then they should be raised up. If raising them up makes the tank too dim, then add more lights...

Kind of a vicious cycle I know.