protein skimmer vs salinity

Conceyted · 07/15/2006, 01:04 AM

So we were wondering.... how is it the skimmer pulls out saltwater, and the autotopoff replenishes with freshwater, but the salinity doesn't decrease?
TIA

bertoni · 07/15/2006, 01:06 AM

Salinity does decrease, if nothing else is done. I can sometime measure the effect.

Conceyted · 07/15/2006, 01:19 AM

so it can be said that if you have a very good skimmer and you wetskim that your tank is pretty much on a steady decrease in salinity?

old salty · 07/15/2006, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Conceyted
so it can be said that if you have a very good skimmer and you wetskim that your tank is pretty much on a steady decrease in salinity?

Yes, that is correct. I perform weekly water changes and empty my skimmer twice a week. For my tank volume, I can't measure any difference using a refractometer even though I skim wet. I just make sure that the fresh batch of salt water is at the proper salinity and if I need to make any corrections, I will bump it up a little bit.

bertoni · 07/15/2006, 02:50 PM

Keep in mind, though, that some actions will increase salinity. For example, dosing a two-part calcium-alkalinity supplement or most any supplement except kalkwasser will increase salinity. Monthly or more frequent water changes will quickly dominate the skimmer's effect in most situations.

ReefMeister2 · 07/16/2006, 02:48 PM

I would LOVE to see a DIY system that replenishes the same quantity saltwater (pumped from mixing barrel) as that pulled out by the skimmer.

Me gots lotsa gadgets, but I can't quite figure this one out yet....
(at a reasonable cost and effort of course)

07/15/2006, 01:04 AM	#1
Conceyted Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 1,123	protein skimmer vs salinity So we were wondering.... how is it the skimmer pulls out saltwater, and the autotopoff replenishes with freshwater, but the salinity doesn't decrease? TIA __________________ -Chris and Jaime Current Tank Info: Rimless & Sumped Biocube Clownfish/BTA Harem

07/15/2006, 01:06 AM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Salinity does decrease, if nothing else is done. I can sometime measure the effect. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

07/15/2006, 01:19 AM	#3
Conceyted Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 1,123	so it can be said that if you have a very good skimmer and you wetskim that your tank is pretty much on a steady decrease in salinity? __________________ -Chris and Jaime Current Tank Info: Rimless & Sumped Biocube Clownfish/BTA Harem

07/15/2006, 02:50 PM	#5
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Keep in mind, though, that some actions will increase salinity. For example, dosing a two-part calcium-alkalinity supplement or most any supplement except kalkwasser will increase salinity. Monthly or more frequent water changes will quickly dominate the skimmer's effect in most situations. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

07/16/2006, 02:48 PM	#6
ReefMeister2 Moved On Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Garden Grove, California Posts: 2,066	I would LOVE to see a DIY system that replenishes the same quantity saltwater (pumped from mixing barrel) as that pulled out by the skimmer. Me gots lotsa gadgets, but I can't quite figure this one out yet.... (at a reasonable cost and effort of course)