how to take care of salt all over tank and filter?

[Linknzelda1]

So I do regular WCs and make sure my tank is topped off but I still have issues will salt build up. I was thinking it is due to my air stone being in the back part of the tank, the bubbles come up where the cover doesn't cover. So I assume the bubbles popping is getting salt everywhere. Will the problem solve itself if I got an auto top off? or should I move my air stone to a location that is covered by the lid? Would it be ok for me to remove the filter and clean all the salt off with water? or is this not recommended due to losing beneficial bacteria?

 

[TX_REEF]

the bursting bubbles from the airstone can certainly cause salt spray. it would help to cover it as you suggest. ATO will not stop that, but is a great idea regardless for stability/laziness. It won't hurt anything to wipe the salt off.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Why do you have an airstone? Thats exactly the reason why most of us don't use airstones in our tanks, its very messy.

 

[Linknzelda1]

Why do you have an airstone? Thats exactly the reason why most of us don't use airstones in our tanks, its very messy.

what do you use instead?

 

[Miami Reef]

what do you use instead?

Skimmers and powerheads that ripple the surface.

 

[Linknzelda1]

so a powerhead puts oxygen in the tank? I thought the skimmer dissolves oxygen in the tank? will just creating ripples in the water provide enough O2 for the full tank?

 

[dangles]

I keep a spray bottle with RODI water near my tank and spray it down every couple of days. This keeps salt creep down.

 

[landlubber]

i suggest a little spin through BRS 52 weeks of reefing on youtube. Tons of great information for reefers just feeling their way around. Chances are there is a lot of things you might be wondering up that will be clear as day after.

 

[cdnco2004]

Get a wet washcloth, wipe down tank. Done.

 

[Linknzelda1]

I keep a spray bottle with RODI water near my tank and spray it down every couple of days. This keeps salt creep down.

you just spray the the actual tank and filter and everything? That's super smart! thanks for the tip!

 

[Linknzelda1]

Get a wet washcloth, wipe down tank. Done.

I do this daily, however wiping it down with a cloth sometimes little pieces will fall in the water so if there was a way I could avoid this or at least bring the salt build to a minimum than I figured I would ask someone.

 

[TX_REEF]

it's ok f the salt falls back into the water, that's where it came from in the first place. Just don't use any chemicals while wiping.

 

[cdnco2004]

I have a couple sets of these cleaning cloths that I use for my tanks. Wet the main cloth with water leave it with a decent amount of moisture still on it then wipe down the tank then use the second cloth while still well wet to dry it off and will be clean as can be.

Amazon Link

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

so a powerhead puts oxygen in the tank? I thought the skimmer dissolves oxygen in the tank? will just creating ripples in the water provide enough O2 for the full tank?

The water surface should be fairly agitated, somewhat like white water rapids. This provides gas exchange.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

it's ok f the salt falls back into the water, that's where it came from in the first place. Just don't use any chemicals while wiping.

be careful if there are corals in the tank. If raw salt falls on the corals, it can burn the coral

 

[mfinn]

Get rid of the air stone. Make sure you have good surface water movement.
When you wipe down the salt deposits make sure they don't fall back in the tank of top of a coral or let fish go after the pieces. Had a friend that lost fish when it grabbed a chunk of salt.