Kalkwasser & Salinity

Eren · 09/04/2017, 01:43 AM

Never had this happen before and I've been using Brightwell Kalk +2 for years. Why is salinity suddenly dropping dramatically (1.026 to 1.022 within 10 minutes) for the last couple of days? It has been extremely hot and I can't keep the water below 81 even with gallon ziplock bags full of ice floating in the sump. Does that have something to do with it? If anything I thought salinity was going to rise from increased evap.

Eren · 09/04/2017, 01:45 AM

FYI=no, the ziplock bags did not leak into the tank.

Martin Kuhn · 09/04/2017, 10:45 AM

Salinity drops only if the amount of sweatwater rises

Also, i see no link to the Kalk dosing

Might you lose some (salt)water that your ATO is replacing with RODI ?
This would be a possible reason

another possibility would be that your salinity measurement is, for what ever reason, different to what you had before

De-calibrated refraktometer ??

Check what is wrong first ! Don't over react ..... maybe your salinity is even ok

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bertoni · 09/04/2017, 03:29 PM

The SG can't drop that amount without a lot of fresh water going into the system. I agree that a measurement error is a possibility. I don't see any other possibility if the melted ice or some other fresh water didn't get into the system.

hkgar · 09/05/2017, 12:56 PM

How are you testing SG?

azsoccerpop · 09/07/2017, 03:58 PM

How large is the tank? and how are you testing? While most measuring devices do auto correct for temperature they are normally calibrated at 77 degrees F. As temperature raises the density of water decreases as does the measured salinity. Not sure if you already have it going but I am using multiple computer fans aimed at my sump and was able to reduce the temp from what was closed to 82 down to 79 degrees. It's an inexpensive alternative to chillers

09/04/2017, 01:43 AM	#1
Eren Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 13	Kalkwasser & Salinity Never had this happen before and I've been using Brightwell Kalk +2 for years. Why is salinity suddenly dropping dramatically (1.026 to 1.022 within 10 minutes) for the last couple of days? It has been extremely hot and I can't keep the water below 81 even with gallon ziplock bags full of ice floating in the sump. Does that have something to do with it? If anything I thought salinity was going to rise from increased evap.

09/04/2017, 10:45 AM	#3
Martin Kuhn Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Munich, Germany Posts: 199	Salinity drops only if the amount of sweatwater rises Also, i see no link to the Kalk dosing Might you lose some (salt)water that your ATO is replacing with RODI ? This would be a possible reason another possibility would be that your salinity measurement is, for what ever reason, different to what you had before De-calibrated refraktometer ?? Check what is wrong first ! Don't over react ..... maybe your salinity is even ok Gesendet von iPhone mit Tapatalk Pro __________________ www.aquacalculator.com ...reference for reefers

09/04/2017, 03:29 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	The SG can't drop that amount without a lot of fresh water going into the system. I agree that a measurement error is a possibility. I don't see any other possibility if the melted ice or some other fresh water didn't get into the system. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

09/05/2017, 12:56 PM	#5
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	How are you testing SG? __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

09/04/2017, 01:45 AM	#2
Eren Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 13	FYI=no, the ziplock bags did not leak into the tank.

09/07/2017, 03:58 PM	#6
azsoccerpop Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Gilbert, Az Posts: 232	How large is the tank? and how are you testing? While most measuring devices do auto correct for temperature they are normally calibrated at 77 degrees F. As temperature raises the density of water decreases as does the measured salinity. Not sure if you already have it going but I am using multiple computer fans aimed at my sump and was able to reduce the temp from what was closed to 82 down to 79 degrees. It's an inexpensive alternative to chillers