Needing help with my salt levels - keeps going up

[ashr]

Hey all

So some background first. 66g red sea max. heavy SPS and LPS corals.

Id like my levels around 1.026 but found it was around 1.030 today when I checked. I only top off with fresh R/O water but sometimes the top off is around 2-5 gallons. I do a water change every month (I know I know but this works well for my tank) Whenever I do a water change I only add water with a salt level of 1.015 to 1.020 to help lower it in the main tank but it only goes down a bit once I add it but it always creeps back up..

Any ideas why?

I dose Mg, Calc and Alk.


Thanks!

[mike31154]

What are you using to take the salinity readings? Refractometer or something else?

[George]

Dosing Alk can and will increase your salinity/SG. Depending on how much you dose and what your tank volume is, it's possible that SG increases from 1.026 to 1.030 in a month. Check your salinity often and adjust it by taking out salt water and replace it with fresh water.

[ashr]

Refractometer is what I use and I always make sure it is calibrated.

I didnt think about the Alk as I have a lot of SPS do I dose a lot.. Ill cut back and check my levels more often.


Thank you !

[RumRunner]

Yup time to calibrate

[The Grizz]

We have a large amount of evap in our house and my salinity can climb fast if I don't keep my ATO full at all times ( never let it get below half full ). Could be an option to check as well.

[Rodney]

2-5 gallons is a hefty top off , it wouldn't be surprising to see that size of an increase with a tank that size my tank is 125g with a 90g sump the top of is about a gallon every 10-12 hours on a DIY auto
Also how long is your water change water sitting before you do it, I found if I check it when I mix its lower than 12-24hrs later when I use it

[ashr]

I usually leave my saltwater mix 24 hours before I add it to the tank. Maybe it is time I get a auto top up? hmmm

[Rodney]

ATO as far as I'm concerned was the best thing I ever did, I crashed my first set up doing what your doing now. Those major fluctuations in salinity will stress fish and coral cause ich and in severe cases death.
Kicking off that chain reaction we all dread

[canadianbudz604]

Does ur tank have a lid on it? 2-5 gallons is a lot of Evap per day. Especially if u have a lid.

[Rodney]

I have 11 feet by 18 inches of open tank I'm using close to 20 gallons a week in my ATO
In a closed tank I wouldn't expect you to lose that much to evap

[daniella3d]

wow, that's a big tank, 11 feet! How many gallons is that?


20 gallons ATO per week? yike :)

I have 11 feet by 18 inches of open tank I'm using close to 20 gallons a week in my ATO
In a closed tank I wouldn't expect you to lose that much to evap

[Rodney]

Tank is 125ish gallons it's 6 feet the sump is 90g and 5 feet long