Salinity Rising..causes and how to reduce?

Dr_Shark · 03/10/2018, 03:11 PM

I just switched to Red Sea salt mix, but ever since my salinity is rising. I use reverse osmosis water and always make changes to exact salinity and temp. I have two hydrometers and readings are the same on both.
I always top using just RO water. I will be lowering salinity slower through water changes. Any other recommendations and knowledge of why it keeps going up on own.

Thank you

ramseynb · 03/10/2018, 03:30 PM

Are you dosing anything? Also, how wet is your skimmer running?

bertoni · 03/10/2018, 05:05 PM

How much has the salinity risen? Are you dosing a two-part or any similar sort of calcium or alkalinity supplement? Almost all of them will raise the salinity over time. Kalk and calcium acetate are the only common exceptions to this rule.

Phixman · 03/11/2018, 12:19 PM

1.Calibration of the refractometer
2. Skimmer will only make your salinity go up if you aren't topping off the tank, otherwise it would cause your salinity to drop if enough skimmate is being taken out and fresh water is replaced with it.
3. Are you sure you topped off the tank to the correct level?
4. As mentioned, dosing?
5. Your water change water didn't fully dissolve the salt, and therefore it may cause salinity to go up over time as that salt starts to dissolve. I always use a power head to mix my salt properly.

03/10/2018, 03:11 PM	#1
Dr_Shark Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 1	Salinity Rising..causes and how to reduce? I just switched to Red Sea salt mix, but ever since my salinity is rising. I use reverse osmosis water and always make changes to exact salinity and temp. I have two hydrometers and readings are the same on both. I always top using just RO water. I will be lowering salinity slower through water changes. Any other recommendations and knowledge of why it keeps going up on own. Thank you

03/10/2018, 05:05 PM	#3
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	How much has the salinity risen? Are you dosing a two-part or any similar sort of calcium or alkalinity supplement? Almost all of them will raise the salinity over time. Kalk and calcium acetate are the only common exceptions to this rule. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

03/10/2018, 03:30 PM	#2
ramseynb Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: New Braunfels, TX Posts: 630	Are you dosing anything? Also, how wet is your skimmer running?

03/11/2018, 12:19 PM	#4
Phixman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Lynnwood, WA Posts: 176	1.Calibration of the refractometer 2. Skimmer will only make your salinity go up if you aren't topping off the tank, otherwise it would cause your salinity to drop if enough skimmate is being taken out and fresh water is replaced with it. 3. Are you sure you topped off the tank to the correct level? 4. As mentioned, dosing? 5. Your water change water didn't fully dissolve the salt, and therefore it may cause salinity to go up over time as that salt starts to dissolve. I always use a power head to mix my salt properly.