salt placement

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by Calgarynewtankguy

is it possible that it is taking salt out of the system??

I just tested my collection cup and it reads about 1.015
I dump about 500ml per week max when it's skimming too wet
Closer to 250ml/week when it's working best

If you're dumping your cup lots, that's where it's going

[Leah]

What is your salinity at?

If you have no fish or corals you can just put some in or you can stop topping up till it catches up to the salinity you want.

[molotov]

without much of a bioload your skimmer probably won't produce much skimmate. It's also strange your salinity is dropping. Not that it matters much but out of curiosity, what salt brand are you using.

Also mix your saltwater solution in a different container/bucket/reservoir and add it after it's had a chance to fully dissolve. Place a maxijet in your bucket to do the mixing for you.

[Calgarynewtankguy]

i am using instant ocean.

my bio load is small. some zoa's a couple of cardinals, one blenny, one goby, one sea hare slug, and a host of CUC

i have seen a cup or more a day in my collection cup.

my salinity was sitting at 1.026 for the longest time then recently dropped to 1.023 (i know it is still in a decent range but dont want it to drop off much more)

I will keep an eye on it and may be pull back on the skimmer.

I have been topping with RO and seems to be topping up a lot lately (i assumed it was the dry winter weather)

All very good things things for me to check. thanks for the advice

[sphelps]

What are you measuring salinity with?

[Calgarynewtankguy]

a refractometer

Originally Posted by sphelps

What are you measuring salinity with?

[gregzz4]

Just an FYI
1.023 is on the cusp of lethal to everything except your fish

Definately dial back your skimmer
Ideally your skimmate should be darkish, like regular to strong tea

[11purewater]

Are you noticing any excessive salt creep in,around, behind anything?

[Madreefer]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

Just an FYI
1.023 is on the cusp of lethal to everything except your fish

Definately dial back your skimmer
Ideally your skimmate should be darkish, like regular to strong tea

Where do you get this info from? 1.023 is lethal why? Most of the LFS that i've been to keep there salinity at 1.021 And also can you explain how skimming is removing salt out of the water? I had this discussion with another newbie on this site and his answer was that another member told him this. I could'nt find the thread until now. I have never experienced any such thing and I empty alot of skimate out per week with an evaporation of 10G of water per week as well. It's topped up with fresh water and no salt added. I'm looking forward to hearing a solution for when my skimmer starts to make my salinity drop so I can fix it.

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by Madreefer

Where do you get this info from? 1.023 is lethal why? Most of the LFS that i've been to keep there salinity at 1.021 And also can you explain how skimming is removing salt out of the water? I had this discussion with another newbie on this site and his answer was that another member told him this. I could'nt find the thread until now. I have never experienced any such thing and I empty alot of skimate out per week with an evaporation of 10G of water per week as well. It's topped up with fresh water and no salt added. I'm looking forward to hearing a solution for when my skimmer starts to make my salinity drop so I can fix it.

Do you have to come across so strongly ??
If I ever hear of a solution for skimmers and Sg, you'll be the first one I contact

I can't back it up ... I've read that a Sg of lower than 1.023 can be lethal to inverts. In my post

Originally Posted by gregzz4

Just an FYI
1.023 is on the cusp of lethal to everything except your fish

Definately dial back your skimmer
Ideally your skimmate should be darkish, like regular to strong tea

I didn't say it was lethal, but I did say it is on the cusp of becoming lethal. Is there something wrong with being safe ?

As far as the skimming goes, if the OP is skimming wet

Originally Posted by Calgarynewtankguy

i have seen a cup or more a day in my collection cup

it only stands to reason that there is SW going into the collection cup

I've measured 1.015 in my own cup, so a loss over time makes sense if they are skimming too wet.
Plus, if the OP is cycling a new tank, and not performing WCs, it stands to reason there will be some Sg drop

OK, I'm done editing