Raising Salinity

Icewing726 · 08/20/2018, 12:44 PM

So I did a water change recently (55ish gallons) and ended up being a bit short. I had read salt needs to be mixxed for 2 days so as not to burn the fish and used fresh water to fill the void. This resulted in moving salinity down to 1.024 from a 25ish mark. Id like to raise it again, would the addition of salt in the return pump area of the sump be safe? I would add slowly but just wanted to check. Otherwise ill do the water out water in method.

Drewbe147 · 08/20/2018, 02:03 PM

Dont add salt directly to the system with livestock in it. Mix separately in a different container. Its less of a “needs 2 days” etc kinda thing and more of a “be sure its all dissolved” thing. For instance in my mixing station my salt is mixed and clear/fully dissolved in a few hrs if i needed it quickly due to my large pump mixing it. To raise yours you can always mix a small batch at a higher salinity to offset your drop. Salinity swings should be avoided if possible due to impact on livestock and large swings should be spread over time. That being said 1.024 to 1.025 isnt a big swing and can be done without issue for most livestocks. 5 gallon bucket/heater/mixing pump at a higher salinity to offset would be your best bet imo. Or just fix it during your next water change being that 1.024 isnt a problem

AlSimmons · 08/20/2018, 02:10 PM

I wouldn't even worry about it. 1.024 is fine. When you do your next water change though just make to to mix the water to the proper level before using it. Given time the SG will just work itself out.

dtapke · 08/20/2018, 02:54 PM

depending on your top off setup, you could add saltwater to your ato (mine is reservoir based with a pump running an IM ato unit)

you could also just shut off your ato and let the water evaporate, naturally raising the salinity.

you could also do another water change.

seems like there would be an abundance of ways to get it back up. And i've always heard at least 30 minutes of heavy mixing. i use 2, 50X(actually a bit higher) pumps in my mixing container and they seem to turn it over quite well. Cheap powerheads really shine for this task as they don't get used super often and arent critical

RussC · 08/20/2018, 05:46 PM

If you ever need to increase the salinity, do it slowly. I mix up a batch of top off water to the salinity I need and let that be the top off until I get what I'm looking for.

Uncle99 · 08/20/2018, 05:46 PM

I like the don't worry idea.
When I adjust upwards (although I am usually downwards a tad) I have made a cup, heavy on the salt, mix till disolved, then add a bit in front of a flow till I make my mark.

As long as your mixed fully, not an issue.

mcgyvr · 08/20/2018, 05:54 PM

I've dumped dry salt into my sump a few times..
Not the "best" idea but it mixes fast enough and has never caused a problem..

Its fine..
Or do the other suggestions above..
Again.. fine. All minor and no problems from doing any of them.. Its such a small difference it doesn't matter..

08/20/2018, 12:44 PM	#1
Icewing726 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 248	Raising Salinity So I did a water change recently (55ish gallons) and ended up being a bit short. I had read salt needs to be mixxed for 2 days so as not to burn the fish and used fresh water to fill the void. This resulted in moving salinity down to 1.024 from a 25ish mark. Id like to raise it again, would the addition of salt in the return pump area of the sump be safe? I would add slowly but just wanted to check. Otherwise ill do the water out water in method.

08/20/2018, 02:03 PM	#2
Drewbe147 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Salisbury, MD Posts: 105	Dont add salt directly to the system with livestock in it. Mix separately in a different container. Its less of a “needs 2 days” etc kinda thing and more of a “be sure its all dissolved” thing. For instance in my mixing station my salt is mixed and clear/fully dissolved in a few hrs if i needed it quickly due to my large pump mixing it. To raise yours you can always mix a small batch at a higher salinity to offset your drop. Salinity swings should be avoided if possible due to impact on livestock and large swings should be spread over time. That being said 1.024 to 1.025 isnt a big swing and can be done without issue for most livestocks. 5 gallon bucket/heater/mixing pump at a higher salinity to offset would be your best bet imo. Or just fix it during your next water change being that 1.024 isnt a problem __________________ Livestock: Yellow Tang, Coral Beauty, Clown pair, Exquisite, Linespot, Christmas, Hoevens Wrasses, Trio Carberryi Anthias, CUC, Mixed Reef Drew Current Tank Info: 90 gal DT 29gal sump. Equipment: 2 OR T247B, RO Varios6 return, RO 150SSS, 2 XF250 Gyres, Jager 300W

08/20/2018, 05:46 PM	#5
RussC Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Gulfport (Mississippi Gulf Coast) Posts: 1,405	If you ever need to increase the salinity, do it slowly. I mix up a batch of top off water to the salinity I need and let that be the top off until I get what I'm looking for. __________________ When a habit begins to cost money, it's called a hobby! Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer XL 425 Alive and Kick'n BOD 8-29-17

08/20/2018, 05:54 PM	#7
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	I've dumped dry salt into my sump a few times.. Not the "best" idea but it mixes fast enough and has never caused a problem.. Its fine.. Or do the other suggestions above.. Again.. fine. All minor and no problems from doing any of them.. Its such a small difference it doesn't matter.. __________________ Who me?

08/20/2018, 02:10 PM	#3
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	I wouldn't even worry about it. 1.024 is fine. When you do your next water change though just make to to mix the water to the proper level before using it. Given time the SG will just work itself out.

08/20/2018, 02:54 PM	#4
dtapke Registered Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 105	depending on your top off setup, you could add saltwater to your ato (mine is reservoir based with a pump running an IM ato unit) you could also just shut off your ato and let the water evaporate, naturally raising the salinity. you could also do another water change. seems like there would be an abundance of ways to get it back up. And i've always heard at least 30 minutes of heavy mixing. i use 2, 50X(actually a bit higher) pumps in my mixing container and they seem to turn it over quite well. Cheap powerheads really shine for this task as they don't get used super often and arent critical

08/20/2018, 05:46 PM	#6
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	I like the don't worry idea. When I adjust upwards (although I am usually downwards a tad) I have made a cup, heavy on the salt, mix till disolved, then add a bit in front of a flow till I make my mark. As long as your mixed fully, not an issue.