avoid salt creep

[Griepp06]

so i have a 38 gallon HOB system that i get a ton of salt creep on the HOB fuge, power filter, and skimmer. i feel this is kinda normal since they are in the tank but what i feel is not normal is a light hanging 6 inches above the tank getting salt creep and the wall behind the tank going 10 inches up the wall. i may have a little splashing from the hob equipment but not enought to splash 10 inches up. anyone recognize what my issue is?

 

[Rickybobby]

With water agitation you would be surprised how much splashing you get. On my setup I see a lot of fizzling that tends to rise up

 

[Griepp06]

With water agitation you would be surprised how much splashing you get. On my setup I see a lot of fizzling that tends to rise up

is there any way to avoid this or would moving over to a sump system lessen my issue?

 

[Rickybobby]

I have an all in one. But all the fizzle and spray comes naturally from the return nozzles agitating the surface.

 

[rusty hannon]

With a salt water tank there is going to b salt creep. You can't stop it but you can do things to make it easier to clean up. I've had an AIO. And 2 w sumps, all that does is gives you more places to clean creep. The only way to have an aquarium without salt creep is go freshwater.

 

[SantaMonica Verified Sponsor]

You would need to put a non-permeable cover over the water surface.

 

[WVNed]

Splashing is one thing but air bubbles popping can propel saltwater several feet.

 

[Griepp06]

You would need to put a non-permeable cover over the water surface.

how would I do that with the hob equipment hanging on the back? like a sheet of plexiglass covering the top?

 

[SantaMonica Verified Sponsor]

Yes it sounds like you would need to make cutouts in the plexi.

 

[Griepp06]

Yes it sounds like you would need to make cutouts in the plexi.

i used to have a solid cover with the hinge door that came with the tank kit originally and the plexiglass part was always getting salt creep back then and then the light couldnt shine through.

 

[SantaMonica Verified Sponsor]

Yes but just put it over the sump

 

[Taipan88]

Splashing is one thing but air bubbles popping can propel saltwater several feet.

This one.

You would be surprised at the amount of salt creep is caused by a floating surface bubble popping.
It will also cause your salinity to change as its technically removing salt water from the aquarium if you're running an ato.