Top Off Times

deancoxx · 08/24/2015, 06:57 PM

Hi guys, new to saltwater, but have kept freshwater before. I've looked into topping up and I at least know to top off with RO/DI only, not saltwater. What I'm wondering is how often do I have to top off? I get that doing it every day would be best, but you know, stuff happens and I just want to be prepared. I guess my questions are:

If I went on a vacation for 2 weeks let's say, I could get people to come by maybe every 4-5 days to top up, would my tank be dead?

What would be the minimum top ups I could do? Would it be okay to go 2-3 days consistently? Not saying I will, just want to know.

For more information, the tank would be a 75 gallon sumpless (I think this means averaging about 1 gallon per day to evaporation). I will have 4 fish and soft corals, maybe an anemone.

So please, let me know what I can get away with or if anything wouldn't work

thegrun · 08/24/2015, 07:22 PM

Your fish would likely be okay with topping off every three days, but it would probably cause issues with your corals. Depending upon your tank size you would likely be able make your own drip style top off system using 1/4" line and a valve for adjustment; it wouldn't be precise bit it would certainly be better than just letting the tanks water evaporate and spike the salinity.

deancoxx · 08/24/2015, 07:28 PM

Thanks for the quick reply. It's a 75 gallon sumpless. If that's the case, I was wondering what types of corals/fish are more adverse to changes in salinity. With only soft corals and a stocking list of:

2 occelaris clownfish
1 Bristletooth Tang
1 Flame hawk

Would anything be seriously harmed? A homemade auto-top sounds good, but I'm not avoiding the Tunze one because of price. It just looks so bad in the display tank. It's a possibility I could get one for vacation use only, but then again I'd be worried the whole time about a flood

anthonys51 · 08/24/2015, 07:43 PM

i bought the tunze 3155 . think its like 215 new. its the best 215 i ever spent. i used to top off myself, its annoying and a lot of work. i like the tunze because it has 3 shut off. in case one fails. dont want water all over the floor. to me spend the 215. its worth it

deancoxx · 08/25/2015, 01:52 PM

Thanks, I'll look into that one. Sounds like it would be perfect for me if I were to go on vacation. Still wondering if anyone has any sort of list of sea critters to avoid if I'm not going to have an auto top off?

anthonys51 · 08/25/2015, 01:59 PM

to be honest as long as you top off everyday, you should be ok with most stuff. its not like the salinity is going to swing that much in one day, its just when you forgot a few days or a week that might be a problem . but most of the easier stuff to keep should be fine. the hardier stuff wont, but they probably wont live in your tank anyone and best to be avoided until you have more experience

Mark9 · 08/25/2015, 02:34 PM

Get an ATO, you won't regret it.
I have the Tunze, never failed me.

08/24/2015, 06:57 PM	#1
deancoxx Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 19	Top Off Times Hi guys, new to saltwater, but have kept freshwater before. I've looked into topping up and I at least know to top off with RO/DI only, not saltwater. What I'm wondering is how often do I have to top off? I get that doing it every day would be best, but you know, stuff happens and I just want to be prepared. I guess my questions are: If I went on a vacation for 2 weeks let's say, I could get people to come by maybe every 4-5 days to top up, would my tank be dead? What would be the minimum top ups I could do? Would it be okay to go 2-3 days consistently? Not saying I will, just want to know. For more information, the tank would be a 75 gallon sumpless (I think this means averaging about 1 gallon per day to evaporation). I will have 4 fish and soft corals, maybe an anemone. So please, let me know what I can get away with or if anything wouldn't work

08/24/2015, 07:22 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Your fish would likely be okay with topping off every three days, but it would probably cause issues with your corals. Depending upon your tank size you would likely be able make your own drip style top off system using 1/4" line and a valve for adjustment; it wouldn't be precise bit it would certainly be better than just letting the tanks water evaporate and spike the salinity.

08/24/2015, 07:28 PM	#3
deancoxx Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 19	Thanks for the quick reply. It's a 75 gallon sumpless. If that's the case, I was wondering what types of corals/fish are more adverse to changes in salinity. With only soft corals and a stocking list of: 2 occelaris clownfish 1 Bristletooth Tang 1 Flame hawk Would anything be seriously harmed? A homemade auto-top sounds good, but I'm not avoiding the Tunze one because of price. It just looks so bad in the display tank. It's a possibility I could get one for vacation use only, but then again I'd be worried the whole time about a flood

08/24/2015, 07:43 PM	#4
anthonys51 Registered Member. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kings Park, NY Posts: 2,789	i bought the tunze 3155 . think its like 215 new. its the best 215 i ever spent. i used to top off myself, its annoying and a lot of work. i like the tunze because it has 3 shut off. in case one fails. dont want water all over the floor. to me spend the 215. its worth it

08/25/2015, 01:52 PM	#5
deancoxx Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 19	Thanks, I'll look into that one. Sounds like it would be perfect for me if I were to go on vacation. Still wondering if anyone has any sort of list of sea critters to avoid if I'm not going to have an auto top off?

08/25/2015, 01:59 PM	#6
anthonys51 Registered Member. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kings Park, NY Posts: 2,789	to be honest as long as you top off everyday, you should be ok with most stuff. its not like the salinity is going to swing that much in one day, its just when you forgot a few days or a week that might be a problem . but most of the easier stuff to keep should be fine. the hardier stuff wont, but they probably wont live in your tank anyone and best to be avoided until you have more experience

08/25/2015, 02:34 PM	#7
Mark9 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,497	Get an ATO, you won't regret it. I have the Tunze, never failed me.