Salt for automatic water changes.

[BryanM]

I ordered the tropic marin pro salt. The only thing is its at 7dkh. My tank sits at 8.2 dkh. But i was wondering if i can add some redsea alk to it? Ik the alk gonna drop regardless. But at least wont drop below 6 for tropic marin

I've not done this, but I don't see why not, and I think there's plenty of members who do this after mixing their salt.

 

[Notsolostfish]

I've not done this, but I don't see why not, and I think there's plenty of members who do this after mixing their salt.

Even for awc?

 

[BryanM]

Even for awc?

Not sure what you're asking.

I'm assuming you are premixing the salt, and at that time would also increase its ALK to match your tank, so you could do the AWCs.

 

[Notsolostfish]

Not sure what you're asking.

I'm assuming you are premixing the salt, and at that time would also increase its ALK to match your tank, so you could do the AWCs.

Yes exactly that

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If i switch to tropic marin all for reef it has a 7dkh. And my tank is 8-8.5 dkh. How would that affect me in awc? Can i add alk to the mix

Yes, but you are overthinking a simple issue. The tank and new salt water are close enough that normal changes will have little effect, and even it it did, it’s not an issue. It just means a little more AFR is needed each day.

 

[thedon986]

I used to up my Pro Reef from 7 to 8 to match my tank. Changing 1/2 gal a day. This last time I forgot and have noticed no extra alk demand besides normal coral use. Probably won’t bother adjusting after mixing again. For large changes at once, for sure. Spread over weeks doing 1/2 gal a day in my case I see now that I don’t need to.

 

[Notsolostfish]

Yes, but you are overthinking a simple issue. The tank and new salt water are close enough that normal changes will have little effect, and even it it did, it’s not an issue. It just means a little more AFR is needed each day.

How much % a day i should do for awc. My total water volume is 150G

 

[Notsolostfish]

Yes, but you are overthinking a simple issue. The tank and new salt water are close enough that normal changes will have little effect, and even it it did, it’s not an issue. It just means a little more AFR is needed each day.

When u say 1% a day is that 1% of my total water volume 150G?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

When u say 1% a day is that 1% of my total water volume 150G?

That is what I do. Twice that is a lot. Half that isn’t not much, IMO.

 

[Notsolostfish]

That is what I do. Twice that is a lot. Half that isn’t not much, IMO.

1% of 150G. Is 1500ml? Sorry cant think straight today seriously

 

[Pistondog]

1% of 150G. Is 1500ml? Sorry cant think straight today seriously

1.5 gallons, or roughly 6000 ml.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

1% of 150G. Is 1500ml? Sorry cant think straight today seriously

1.5 gallons per day. :)

 

[Notsolostfish]

1.5 gallons per day. :)

And the speed to get it done does it matter? When chosing the time for the dos?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

And the speed to get it done does it matter? When chosing the time for the dos?

Not really. I spread it out, and use slow dosing pumps, but that’s not required.

Removing the water slightly upstream in the sump from where you add the new water provides a small boost in efficiency,

 

[PaDDy Killer]

Not really. I spread it out, and use slow dosing pumps, but that’s not required.

Removing the water slightly upstream in the sump from where you add the new water provides a small boost in efficiency,

I just set up my AWC and I did it the wrong way. Thanks for the info, switching my lines when I get home.

 

[Notsolostfish]

I just set up my AWC and I did it the wrong way. Thanks for the info, switching my lines when I get home.

I remove water from the middle (skimmer chamber) and add new water to the return pump area is that good?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I remove water from the middle (skimmer chamber) and add new water to the return pump area is that good?

Seems good to me. :)

 

[Notsolostfish]

Seems good to me. :)

And we are up and running with the new tropic marin salt

 

[Notsolostfish]

Seems good to me. :)

How do you deal with evaporation? During awc? I have a lid on top, but evaporation going to still happen over time.

 

[BryanM]

How do you deal with evaporation? During awc? I have a lid on top, but evaporation going to still happen over time.

ATO = Automatic top off (with RODI water).