Raising salinity slowly?

[sedrostyle]

I usually run my tank at 1.024 or 5
Since swapping salts and switching tanks a few months ago. I've noticed I cannot get my salinity back up to where I'd like without draining my sump with evaporation
Is there a way to fill it and slowly add salt to the desired level or should I mix my new water change water a tad bit salty
To there raise the overall salinity of the tank?
Thanks in advance. ( noob question )

 

[eartaker]

depending on how much evaporation your have you could top off with a LOW salinity water and this over time will bring it up. I on the other hand just did what you said. kept mixing my water a little over what I wanted it at and it came up to 1.026 where I now keep it. In the end there are many ways to do it but just do it slowly.

 

[sedrostyle]

Ten four just checking. I know the box says not to add not mixed raw salt to a tank with fish in it

 

[eartaker]

Yeah defiantly do not do that, bad things WILL happen.

 

[user 26995]

I did what eartaker suggested. Mix your new saltwater to the 1.026 and use it as top off for a while. It will raise your salinity slow enough. I also did 10% water changes every couple days and added the new water mixed at 1.026. I wouldnt mix it higher than that, cuase you run the risk then of going over the target salinity. Your corals wont like that. .002 points is not that big of a change over a few days. If you were going from something like 1.020 or lower like hyposalinity levels it would be a more drastic change and you would want to do raise it slower.

 

[kpiotrowski]

I don't have a prob with adding small amounts of raw salt mix to a sump...SMALL amounts, like half cup per 50g....maybe even a cup. the only bad affects I can see are a sharp rise in ph if to much added at once and prob more concerning is it wearing out your pumps if alot get sucked in. unless someone can tell me how else it is bad????

 

[pandora32]

Ive added salt to my filter sock. Ive only done it once. Just doesnt seem like a good thing, imo. Id premix the water as suggested.

 

[kpiotrowski]

Ive added salt to my filter sock. Ive only done it once. Just doesnt seem like a good thing, imo. Id premix the water as suggested.

why? I would like someone to give me a better reason than the two I mentioned. I would like to know what I am missing....or is just just a safe practice for those who don't understand why we age it in the first place. if I need to raise my salinty a tenth or two, you can bet I am adding some dry mix to my sump.

 

[mojoreef]

Freshly mixed ASW has an initial free ammonia content, and its best to allow the mix to air out so you get a kind of gas exchange with co2 bleeding out. That would be the only other things I can think to add.

Mojo

 

[Boomer]

I agree with eartaker as the proper way to do it.

why? I would like someone to give me a better reason than the two I mentioned. I would like to know what I am missing....or is just just a safe practice for those who don't understand why we age it in the first place. if I need to raise my salinty a tenth or two, you can bet I am adding some dry mix to my sump.

Your comment's are pretty much in line as to being true, if you do not add to much and it is added in the right place the right way and is not a sump with all kinds of life forms in it, where such a quick rapid rise could really stress or kill them/some. You need to remember what happens when one does this, a very rapid rise, pretty much right through the roof, in Alk, pH, Ca++, Mg++ and Salinity in the immediate area the dry mix is dumped. Sprinkling in that cup over a few mins. or even a couple of mins. would be a better idea.

 

[sedrostyle]

Thank you everyone. I would only be going from .023 to .025 since I don't top off everyday like I should.
I am currently trying to figure out a DIY auto top off. Like a milk gallon or something. I still would be filling the milk gallon every other day or sooner. That's why I haven't done it yet. My stand won't allow for something bigger.
Any ideas ?
Also parts for a auto top off, as I get confused on the stuff I need to make one.
Thanks again

 

[eartaker]

Thank you everyone. I would only be going from .023 to .025 since I don't top off everyday like I should.
I am currently trying to figure out a DIY auto top off. Like a milk gallon or something. I still would be filling the milk gallon every other day or sooner. That's why I haven't done it yet. My stand won't allow for something bigger.
Any ideas ?
Also parts for a auto top off, as I get confused on the stuff I need to make one.
Thanks again

For me I use a 30gal trash can for ATO and this last me 3 weeks, all you need for a basic setup is a float switch, relay, 12v power supply, a pump, and some wiring knowledge if you plan on DIY. If your not comfortable with the DIY then BRS sells a ready to use system and a kit.

 

[sedrostyle]

I would have to run the trash can outside :/
I have no room cause it's in the living room.
I was thinking about setting up a 30 or so gallon tank under the sink and running a line next to the floor boards and into the livig room.
Doubt my wife would like that tank under the sink tho. Haha

 

[eartaker]

lol, yeah but maybe a 10gal? You have to look at it this way. For me I have to add 1/2 - 3/4 of a gallon a day so for me to have a 1-5g topoff it would be pointless because im still filling up the ATO every other day. You need a reservoir that will be enough to at least give you a break more than every other day.

 

[sedrostyle]

Haha I know. I add probably a gallon every other day. I should do more.
When it gets low low I do 2 gallons

 

[sedrostyle]

I want. And want is a big leap. A 120 or more tank. I was thinking of building a stand to compensate Just to have a bigger stand ready and more room underneath for goods.
It's be weird having a 48x12.5 tank on a 48x24 or even 30 wide stand lol.
A 125 wide is 48x36. Which would be cool.
Idk 48 inches long is about the max for me.
I don't like the idea of a 36" deep tank I don't wanna swim more than I already do and my tanks only 21 tall now haha
I'm very hands on
Anyways. It ll take some thought and some planning. About the time we figure it out well probably buy a house :/ and I'd dred to move this tank.
Thanks for laying out what I need for the top off. I'll figur something out or just keep on with my manual top off

 

[pandora32]

I do manual top offs. Gets to be a pain, especially when your IN pain.

 

[sedrostyle]

I know it got to the point where I told my wife to do it when I forgot. I told her if you see it blowing bubbles Into the tank ADD water please. Lol

 

[kpiotrowski]

I agree with eartaker as the proper way to do it.

why? I would like someone to give me a better reason than the two I mentioned. I would like to know what I am missing....or is just just a safe practice for those who don't understand why we age it in the first place. if I need to raise my salinty a tenth or two, you can bet I am adding some dry mix to my sump.

Your comment's are pretty much in line as to being true, if you do not add to much and it is added in the right place the right way and is not a sump with all kinds of life forms in it, where such a quick rapid rise could really stress or kill them/some. You need to remember what happens when one does this, a very rapid rise, pretty much right through the roof, in Alk, pH, Ca++, Mg++ and Salinity in the immediate area the dry mix is dumped. Sprinkling in that cup over a few mins. or even a couple of mins. would be a better idea.

I once spilled some alk mix I was adding to the overflow box into the display and it fell onto some large hairy mushrooms causing them to spill their gut in defense. by the moring they were back to normal. this is much worse than if it was a cup of salt mix in potiential to raise ph sharply and localy. I got lucky! I know!