what does "topping off with freshwater" mean? is it 1.000 salinity water? or normal WC water?

[Nate Chalk]

What happened to your other account

 

[Spare time]

It's not often, once was because my ATO was stuck on

Never do that. If it makes it into the display it can wreak havoc.

 

[stE25wy14]

What happened to your other account

My other account?

 

[Cichlid Dad]

My other account?

He sees your name change

 

[stE25wy14]

He sees your name change

Ah
It’s the same account just added in E25 cuz I finally got my fencing rating earlier this year!

 

[EricR]

It is fun! Thanks so much for all the help everyone! And not just this time
And @EricR is that a tele scope in your prep?

Yeah (telescope),,, my last and final (allegedly) build.

*if actually interested in astronomy, my (lame/old) username is same on those sites, like cloudynights, etc.

 

[steveschuerger]

So. Bottom line freshwater (I’m using distilled for the 30 I set up) is used to replace evaporated water and since the salt stays in the tank water you will get increasingly higher levels as it doesn’t precipitate out. I use manual methods but a majority probably use an automated ATO , refilling as necessary.

 

[ReeferMedic]

title

Since salt isn’t involved in the evaporation process, you only need to top off with rodi fresh water. If you top off with salt water, your salinity will go off the charts.

 

[stE25wy14]

Yeah (telescope),,, my last and final (allegedly) build.

*if actually interested in astronomy, my (lame/old) username is same on those sites, like cloudynights, etc.

Oh sh
I’ll check those sights out! What did u do with the other builds?
Can I see some astrophotography from u, I tried doing them, but I’m in a level 4 LP zone, so pretty bad

 

[topjimmy]

Never do that. If it makes it into the display it can wreak havoc.

The cup of salt?

It was in there for weeks before it dissolved. Very low flow area.

Edit: Just to be clear it was some salt In a Cup, not just a cup of salt dumped in.

 

[KrisReef]

I wish I could say I was always this forthcoming.

Stabilizing once a situation is recognized is the other thing that matters once parameters are swinging.

Stability on the recovery side may prevent additional losses, so check your parameters and consider how best to adjust them.

I don’t know what the best solution would be among the various parameters, Alk, and salinity are not working together if they have been off for awhile.

 

[Spare time]

The cup of salt?

It was in there for weeks before it dissolved. Very low flow area.

Edit: Just to be clear it was some salt In a Cup, not just a cup of salt dumped in.

Ah ok i was thinking you just poured salt in

 

[twentyleagues]

I am a little taken aback by this. I am not sure why to be honest with the other stuff you've said and done but this is saltwater 101 actually pre 101. If I was ever appointed in you I would be disappointed in you but I wasnt so I am not.

 

[stE25wy14]

I am a little taken aback by this. I am not sure why to be honest with the other stuff you've said and done but this is saltwater 101 actually pre 101. If I was ever appointed in you I would be disappointed in you but I wasnt so I am not.

i do understand

i have just never seen anything about "freshwater" top offs in the years that I have been researching(yes years.... its an on and off research thing, since i was around 9?)

 

[jsmkmavity]

I never add dry salt to a tank because i have witnessed what can happen to the fish and i dont want to take a chance. My friends didnt understand until i told them and it was already too late. They didnt seem too bothered by it but i felt really bad for their fish.

 

[Gtinnel]

i have just never seen anything about "freshwater" top offs in the years that I have been researching(yes years.... its an on and off research thing, since i was around 9?)

I would never judge someone for making a mistake, I know over the years I’ve made plenty of them. However, it’s hard to believe that you did years of research and never heard of toping off with freshwater.

 

[stE25wy14]

I would never judge someone for making a mistake, I know over the years I’ve made plenty of them. However, it’s hard to believe that you did years of research and never heard of toping off with freshwater.

i heard of it, i just thought it meant fresh water change water, cause i thought that when the water evaporate, and u put 1.026 water in, it stays the same, i didnt think it would add more salt :/

 

[BillFish Coral Lover]

Yeah... glancing through OP's tank thread, there's mention of 1.035 salinity,,, and invert loss.

@stE25wy14, the answer to your original question is, as other's have posted:
You need to replace water loss from evaporation with 1.000 SG (fresh) water.

If you've been topping off with saltwater, that'll just drive your tank salinity up (through the roof).
That would easily explain lots of issues.
...but, wouldn't you have noticed the salinity constantly increasing in your tank by now? (((that's the confusing part to me)))

To original poster: you should always check the salinity of your tank before the water change because it does vary. Auto top off is not an exact science. There are other factors such as salt creep. So, check your tank’s salinity and if it’s a little high, take some water out and the top off water will bring it down. Conversely, if the salinity is low, add salt water and evaporation will bring the salinity up.

I put undissolved salt in a cup in my sump to raise it slowly if needed.

I would never add salt directly to any part of the system. I always mix some saltwater and add that, and suggest that to anyone who needs to raise their tank’s salinity.