Salinity rising for no reason

htjunkie · 01/14/2014, 03:14 PM

I'm away and now about 10 days, parents been taking care of the tank as far as feeding and toping up RO/DI reserve bucket.

I always keep salinity at 35 or about 1.26, has always been stable but in the last few days it seems to creep up to 35.5. My understanding everything is working fine, top off bucket still require water every few days and water level is good in the sump.

Should I be concerned? Reading is coming from apex controller. Will be home end of the week to take care of water change and regular maintenance.

Sugar Magnolia · 01/14/2014, 03:31 PM

Your ATO may need to be adjusted.

sirreal63 · 01/14/2014, 03:31 PM

I wouldn't be too concerned at this point. I would be suspect of the reading from the Apex and salinity does vary on the reefs from time to time. Unless you are adding a lot of two-part dosing the salinity won't change much. Check it with a calibrated refractometer when you get home and adjust as needed, if needed.

AdamSabina · 01/14/2014, 03:32 PM

Do you run 2 part? it adds salt.

disc1 · 01/14/2014, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htjunkie

Reading is coming from apex controller.

Rule number one to using a conductivity probe to constantly monitor salinity:

Trust but verify. Whenever you see a reading that is odd or doesn't make sense, break out the refractometer and check it. When used constantly in saltwater, conductivity probes are prone to drift and need to be calibrated often. More often than not the weird salinity is a measurement error and not at all real.

htjunkie · 01/15/2014, 08:42 PM

Thanks guys, I don't dose anything at this point. Will confirm when I get back.

ca1ore · 01/15/2014, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disc1

Rule number one to using a conductivity probe to constantly monitor salinity:

Trust but verify. Whenever you see a reading that is odd or doesn't make sense, break out the refractometer and check it. When used constantly in saltwater, conductivity probes are prone to drift and need to be calibrated often. More often than not the weird salinity is a measurement error and not at all real.

I see this all the time with my Apex conductivity probe - tends to drift up over time.

downbeach · 01/16/2014, 05:09 AM

Another thought. Is it possible they are adding your make up water, instead of plain RO/DI water to top off?

htjunkie · 01/16/2014, 08:01 AM

They are adding RO/DI water to the ATO container, I'll double check in few days. Miss my tank

01/14/2014, 03:14 PM	#1
htjunkie Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 173	Salinity rising for no reason I'm away and now about 10 days, parents been taking care of the tank as far as feeding and toping up RO/DI reserve bucket. I always keep salinity at 35 or about 1.26, has always been stable but in the last few days it seems to creep up to 35.5. My understanding everything is working fine, top off bucket still require water every few days and water level is good in the sump. Should I be concerned? Reading is coming from apex controller. Will be home end of the week to take care of water change and regular maintenance.

01/14/2014, 03:31 PM	#2
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	Your ATO may need to be adjusted. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

01/14/2014, 03:31 PM	#3
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	I wouldn't be too concerned at this point. I would be suspect of the reading from the Apex and salinity does vary on the reefs from time to time. Unless you are adding a lot of two-part dosing the salinity won't change much. Check it with a calibrated refractometer when you get home and adjust as needed, if needed. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

01/14/2014, 03:32 PM	#4
AdamSabina Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 1,426	Do you run 2 part? it adds salt.

01/15/2014, 08:42 PM	#6
htjunkie Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 173	Thanks guys, I don't dose anything at this point. Will confirm when I get back.

01/16/2014, 05:09 AM	#8
downbeach Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Smyrna, Delaware Posts: 3,767	Another thought. Is it possible they are adding your make up water, instead of plain RO/DI water to top off?

01/16/2014, 08:01 AM	#9
htjunkie Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 173	They are adding RO/DI water to the ATO container, I'll double check in few days. Miss my tank