First top off using RO/DI have question

Kenpo guy · 04/09/2015, 08:54 PM

I know that when topping off the tank there is no need to add salt. However when I set the tank up my SG was a bit lower than I wanted so as evaporation has occured my SG is right where I want it now betwen 1.025 and 1.026. If I add one gal or so of pure water for top off how much will it affect my SG in a 37 gal tank? I dont want to end up where I started so should I add the water to a bucket and mix it with salt to insure my levels stay consistant? Or am I just way overthinking this?

edsreef · 04/09/2015, 09:06 PM

There will always be some fluctuation in your SG as water evaporates. The best thing to do to keep it consistent is to use an auto top-off that keeps up with all the evaporated water. Either that or keep up with it closely yourself.

rfgonzo · 04/09/2015, 09:11 PM

Get yourself a ATO so you don't have fluctuation. One gallon of ro/di will change SG, you will have more consistency with a ATO.

TangingOut · 04/09/2015, 09:13 PM

If you need to top off 1 gallon and you want your salinity to remain the same, mix 1 gallon at the same salinity and add, then get an ato to top off with rodi to have stable salinity.

Martini5788 · 04/09/2015, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangingout

if you need to top off 1 gallon and you want your salinity to remain the same, mix 1 gallon at the same salinity and add, then get an ato to top off with rodi to have stable salinity.

+1

thegrun · 04/09/2015, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TangingOut

If you need to top off 1 gallon and you want your salinity to remain the same, mix 1 gallon at the same salinity and add, then get an ato to top off with rodi to have stable salinity.

+1, just top off the tank with 1.025 water

tkeracer619 · 04/09/2015, 09:15 PM

Here you go.

Always add salt and mix outside of the tank once animals are in the tank. The reaction of the dissolving salt will burn their gills.

http://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/C...Calculator.php

Kenpo guy · 04/09/2015, 09:41 PM

So where can I get an ato with ro/di and how much should I expect to spend?

tkeracer619 · 04/09/2015, 10:35 PM

What model RODI do you have?

You can go about it different ways.

Most of us fill a container once in a while that stores the RO. A white, yellow, or grey brute trashcan is food grade and a good lower cost option.

We then use an ATO setup that pumps water from the storage vat into the tank.

It can be as complex as lasers or as simple as a small container above the sump with a gravity fed float valve.

The key here is not to tie your RODI setup straight to the tank which would short cycle the membrane. This will eat up your DI and shorten the life of the membrane.

edog45 · 04/10/2015, 04:50 AM

I use the Avast Marine ATO kit and an aqua lifter pump as my top off. 100 bucks for the kit and it works perfect on my 120 gallon setup. Here is a link for the Avast ATO I have.
http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/pr...ng/Top-off-Kit

An R/O unit is going to be a separate purchase and is something I believe is the most inportant part in maintaining a stable and healthy system. They can range in price from 150.00 to 350.00 or more. I use a spectra pure 90 GPD max cap unit and in my opinion Spectra Pure should be at the top of your list when looking at RO/DI systems.

smedlin · 04/10/2015, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edog45

An R/O unit is going to be a separate purchase and is something I believe is the most inportant part in maintaining a stable and healthy system.

That.. is.. true!

I went 13 years without one for a 150g tank.

It honestly, changed EVERYTHING when I recently got one.

kmbyrnes · 04/10/2015, 05:53 PM

+1.
I did the math and just to FILL my 110 was going to cost 50% of buying an RO/DI unit.
Then there was cycling, and the regular WCs, and top offs and oh yeah, I bought another tank and ....
Anyway get an RO/Di and an ATO and you will have a much easier time getting things stabilized.

Kenpo guy · 04/10/2015, 09:17 PM

I'm runnjng a canister not a sump. Can I still do this? Also for now I'm just adding reef crystals to the bottled water I have and mxing outside the tank. I'm adding 1 gal at a SG of 1.025. Can I just put it in the tank once the crystals are disolved?

edog45 · 04/10/2015, 10:38 PM

Yes you can still use an ATO without a sump. You would mount the float switch and water line from the pump in your tank. Your fresh water you would put in a container under the tank.

Once you mix the salt like you mentioned it will be fine to put in the tank. Not anything different than you would do for a water change.

CHizer · 04/10/2015, 11:42 PM

For about $100 you can take out one of the biggest daily hassles of having a tank.

04/09/2015, 08:54 PM	#1
Kenpo guy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 107	First top off using RO/DI have question I know that when topping off the tank there is no need to add salt. However when I set the tank up my SG was a bit lower than I wanted so as evaporation has occured my SG is right where I want it now betwen 1.025 and 1.026. If I add one gal or so of pure water for top off how much will it affect my SG in a 37 gal tank? I dont want to end up where I started so should I add the water to a bucket and mix it with salt to insure my levels stay consistant? Or am I just way overthinking this?

04/09/2015, 09:11 PM	#3
rfgonzo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,280	Get yourself a ATO so you don't have fluctuation. One gallon of ro/di will change SG, you will have more consistency with a ATO. __________________ 210 gal reef, 75 gal Refuge with 55 Gal sump mixed reef 100 gal Reef, 75 gal Refuge with 55 gal sump. SPS/LPS & 100 gal Japanese Dragon Moray eel tank with 40 gal sump 75 gal Brazilian Dragon Mor

04/09/2015, 09:15 PM	#7
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Here you go. Always add salt and mix outside of the tank once animals are in the tank. The reaction of the dissolving salt will burn their gills. http://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/C...Calculator.php __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

04/09/2015, 10:35 PM	#9
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	What model RODI do you have? You can go about it different ways. Most of us fill a container once in a while that stores the RO. A white, yellow, or grey brute trashcan is food grade and a good lower cost option. We then use an ATO setup that pumps water from the storage vat into the tank. It can be as complex as lasers or as simple as a small container above the sump with a gravity fed float valve. The key here is not to tie your RODI setup straight to the tank which would short cycle the membrane. This will eat up your DI and shorten the life of the membrane. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

04/10/2015, 05:53 PM	#12
kmbyrnes Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 2,055	+1. I did the math and just to FILL my 110 was going to cost 50% of buying an RO/DI unit. Then there was cycling, and the regular WCs, and top offs and oh yeah, I bought another tank and .... Anyway get an RO/Di and an ATO and you will have a much easier time getting things stabilized. __________________ 125g Mixed Reef 5/26/2015; 350 Butterfly Dominated FOWLR 11/26/2015 - 11/17/20217 & 07/31/18 to ??? ; 100g Mixed Reef 11/16/2013 to 06/16/2017 Current Tank Info: Too small

04/09/2015, 09:06 PM	#2
edsreef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Ohio Posts: 912	There will always be some fluctuation in your SG as water evaporates. The best thing to do to keep it consistent is to use an auto top-off that keeps up with all the evaporated water. Either that or keep up with it closely yourself.

04/09/2015, 09:13 PM	#4
TangingOut Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 1,511	If you need to top off 1 gallon and you want your salinity to remain the same, mix 1 gallon at the same salinity and add, then get an ato to top off with rodi to have stable salinity.

04/09/2015, 09:41 PM	#8
Kenpo guy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 107	So where can I get an ato with ro/di and how much should I expect to spend?

04/10/2015, 04:50 AM	#10
edog45 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 51	I use the Avast Marine ATO kit and an aqua lifter pump as my top off. 100 bucks for the kit and it works perfect on my 120 gallon setup. Here is a link for the Avast ATO I have. http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/pr...ng/Top-off-Kit An R/O unit is going to be a separate purchase and is something I believe is the most inportant part in maintaining a stable and healthy system. They can range in price from 150.00 to 350.00 or more. I use a spectra pure 90 GPD max cap unit and in my opinion Spectra Pure should be at the top of your list when looking at RO/DI systems.

04/10/2015, 09:17 PM	#13
Kenpo guy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 107	I'm runnjng a canister not a sump. Can I still do this? Also for now I'm just adding reef crystals to the bottled water I have and mxing outside the tank. I'm adding 1 gal at a SG of 1.025. Can I just put it in the tank once the crystals are disolved?

04/10/2015, 10:38 PM	#14
edog45 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 51	Yes you can still use an ATO without a sump. You would mount the float switch and water line from the pump in your tank. Your fresh water you would put in a container under the tank. Once you mix the salt like you mentioned it will be fine to put in the tank. Not anything different than you would do for a water change.

04/10/2015, 11:42 PM	#15
CHizer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New Tampa Posts: 193	For about $100 you can take out one of the biggest daily hassles of having a tank.