Salinity rise ?

broomer5

broomer5

Active Member
I have my sump marked for normal operating level.
I determine where I want to keep my salinity.
I use a refractometer.
I top off each and every night - last thing I do before going to bed. Always top off to the mark on my sump. About 1 gallon RO/DI water required this time of year, per 24 hour period
Started running my protein skimmer 6-7 weeks ago.
I'm emptying several ounces of skimmate crud every few days.
My question - since I am removing skimmate ( some water ) is this a possible reason I've noticed my salinity slowly creeping up over these last 6 weeks or so. Not a drastic change, nothing I'm too alarmed about - just something I never really considered before.
Any thoughts ?
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Any water in the skimmate should be salt water. I'd think this would lower your salinity over time. Salt creep should also work to lower your salinity.
Assuming you calibrate the refractometer occationally I'd point the finger at any additives you use. I know B-Ionic or any of the two-part additives will contribute to your salinity. Calcium chloride will too.
Do you perform regular water changes?
Interesting riddle :) Thank you for posting it even though it's not really a problem.
 
reeflooker

reeflooker

Member
Broomer5, are you using a deep 6 saltinity gauge???
If so, I sometimes have micro bubbles that form under the float and it makes the saltinity appear higher than it really is.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator

Originally posted by splash1914
Bang guy, got any pics of your 900 gallon refugium?
Sure. It's 2 months old in the pic. I'll be taking another "3 month" pic next week.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator

Originally posted by reeflooker
Broomer5, are you using a deep 6 saltinity gauge???

Broomer is using a refractometer. That eliminates 99% of the possible possibilities for salinity creep :p
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator

Originally posted by wamp
Bang,
you still got the clay pot in there???lol....
LOL, yep! In fact it's beginning to grow coralline. Maybe if it turns purple I'll keep it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top