How does salinity affect skimmer performance?

[Exus]

I've noticed that when my salinity gets low, as in 1.024, it produced less skimmate and the water level inside the neck is higher. When I increased the salinity to 1.026, it produced more skimmate and the water in the neck is lower. The lower salinity produced darker skimmate but less liquid. While higher salinity produced more skimmate but lighter. Is there a relation between higher salinity and skimmate production?

 

[blaxsun]

Good question. Was the water level the same each time?

 

[Exus]

Good question. Was the water level the same each time?

The water level in the sump was the same. Salt addition through top off water. The water level in the neck changed due to the change in salinity presumably, I made no adjustment to the valves. It was just something I noticed over time, when I see less skimmate in the container over a week, I would check salinity, and it'd be low 1.023-1.024. And I would get it up to 1.026-1.027 over a couple days.

 

[Waters]

It makes sense I guess.....skimmers don't work at all in freshwater

 

[The_Paradox]

Higher salinity water has higher surface tension.

 

[twentyleagues]

Do you not have an ato? Wondering why there is salinity fluctuations in the first place. But yes it makes sense that as the salinity goes down so does the "density" of the water, obviously if water level is staying the same at least in the skimmer section.

 

[Exus]

Do you not have an ato? Wondering why there is salinity fluctuations in the first place. But yes it makes sense that as the salinity goes down so does the "density" of the water, obviously if water level is staying the same at least in the skimmer section.

I do carbon dosing, so I don't normally do water changes. The only way I lose salinity is through the skimmate. I prefer a wetter skim. I get maybe 1500-2000ml of skimmate a week. I end up having to add more salt once a month.

 

[twentyleagues]

I do carbon dosing, so I don't normally do water changes. The only way I lose salinity is through the skimmate. I prefer a wetter skim. I get maybe 1500-2000ml of skimmate a week. I end up having to add more salt once a month.

Well yup didnt think of that.