Wet Skimming - Top Off

FranktheTankTx · 10/24/2008, 08:00 PM

Question - If you wet skimm, do you need to top off with saltwater?

I'm trying to dial my skimmer in - and it appears to be pulling some of the salt out as well. So when my ATO pumps fresh RO/DI water in, I gradually lose salinity.

I like the skimmer pulling just a little wet - can I add salt to my top off and monitor the salinity?

Your suggestions/experience is welcomed.

Roy G. Biv · 10/24/2008, 08:07 PM

For the little that you pull out, I would think you could add that little bit to the sump directly.

Don-Coraleone · 10/24/2008, 08:11 PM

you could but but the water your wet skimming isnt the same as evap. the salinity is raising from you wet skimming. i would just use regular top off water.

cveverly · 10/24/2008, 08:41 PM

I always have saltwater made up. If I get a batch of wet skim I add saltwater to replace what the skimmer removed. Otherwise I top off evaporation with RO/DI.

FranktheTankTx · 10/24/2008, 08:43 PM

Well - it was an idea. I will continue like I have been, and add saltwater to the sump to make up for the wet skim I am pulling out.

not_sponsored · 10/24/2008, 08:49 PM

I just add it to my topoff water container, say I skim 5 gallons, add 2.5 cups of salt to my topoff, skim 1 gallon add .5 cups of salt to my top off. That way it has time to dissolve and absorb oxygen.

FranktheTankTx · 10/24/2008, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by not_sponsored
I just add it to my topoff water container, say I skim 5 gallons, add 2.5 cups of salt to my topoff, skim 1 gallon add .5 cups of salt to my top off. That way it has time to dissolve and absorb oxygen.

This is exactly what I was asking if I could do. Ha!!!

crvz · 10/25/2008, 12:15 PM

I don't even bother with adding salt water, for the amount pulled out I just try to make the small adjustment during the next water change. It's usually negligible, but a couple times a year I'll have to make the water change water a bit more potent.

E.intheC · 10/25/2008, 01:21 PM

I think the best thing to do is to test the water first.. that will be the best guide. If the wet skimming is too small an amount to affect the test.. hmm.. it won't matter in the short run but in the long run..

IndyReefMan · 10/25/2008, 01:40 PM

Empty your skimmer cup. On the outside of the cup, place a vertical strip of masking tape. Using a measuring cup, add one cup at a time of tap water into the skimmer cup. After each cup that you add, make a pencil mark on the masking tape. Reinstall skimmer cup on skimmer. Now, each time that you empty your skimmer cup, make a mental note of how many cups of skimmate you are dumping out. Then, add that same amount of saltwater into your sump.

10/24/2008, 08:00 PM	#1
FranktheTankTx Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,306	Wet Skimming - Top Off Question - If you wet skimm, do you need to top off with saltwater? I'm trying to dial my skimmer in - and it appears to be pulling some of the salt out as well. So when my ATO pumps fresh RO/DI water in, I gradually lose salinity. I like the skimmer pulling just a little wet - can I add salt to my top off and monitor the salinity? Your suggestions/experience is welcomed. __________________ Frank the Tank "What, I thought we were in the trust tree... in the nest? Are we not?" Current Tank Info: Custom Rimless 60g (30.5"x24.5"x18.5")

10/24/2008, 08:43 PM	#5
FranktheTankTx Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,306	Well - it was an idea. I will continue like I have been, and add saltwater to the sump to make up for the wet skim I am pulling out. __________________ Frank the Tank "What, I thought we were in the trust tree... in the nest? Are we not?" Current Tank Info: Custom Rimless 60g (30.5"x24.5"x18.5")

10/25/2008, 12:15 PM	#8
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	I don't even bother with adding salt water, for the amount pulled out I just try to make the small adjustment during the next water change. It's usually negligible, but a couple times a year I'll have to make the water change water a bit more potent. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

10/25/2008, 01:21 PM	#9
E.intheC Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 5,373	I think the best thing to do is to test the water first.. that will be the best guide. If the wet skimming is too small an amount to affect the test.. hmm.. it won't matter in the short run but in the long run.. __________________ -Eric

10/24/2008, 08:07 PM	#2
Roy G. Biv Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 3,646	For the little that you pull out, I would think you could add that little bit to the sump directly.

10/24/2008, 08:11 PM	#3
Don-Coraleone Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: east coast Posts: 1,478	you could but but the water your wet skimming isnt the same as evap. the salinity is raising from you wet skimming. i would just use regular top off water.

10/24/2008, 08:41 PM	#4
cveverly Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Port Clinton, Oh Posts: 1,470	I always have saltwater made up. If I get a batch of wet skim I add saltwater to replace what the skimmer removed. Otherwise I top off evaporation with RO/DI.

10/24/2008, 08:49 PM	#6
not_sponsored Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hiding Posts: 341	I just add it to my topoff water container, say I skim 5 gallons, add 2.5 cups of salt to my topoff, skim 1 gallon add .5 cups of salt to my top off. That way it has time to dissolve and absorb oxygen.

10/25/2008, 01:40 PM	#10
IndyReefMan Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 477	Empty your skimmer cup. On the outside of the cup, place a vertical strip of masking tape. Using a measuring cup, add one cup at a time of tap water into the skimmer cup. After each cup that you add, make a pencil mark on the masking tape. Reinstall skimmer cup on skimmer. Now, each time that you empty your skimmer cup, make a mental note of how many cups of skimmate you are dumping out. Then, add that same amount of saltwater into your sump.