sump salinity

I just installed my sump and I put my water back in and did a test. The specific gravity is at 1.0185. My display tank is at 1.024.

I have not cranked up the pump on the sump yet so I am wondering should I match the salinity before I do or should my DT water help equal it out and then slowly raise the level back up. Also, how low would my sg. be able to go?

DT= 37G tall @ 1.024 sg.
sump= roughly 7.5G @ 1.0185sg

Thanks in advance!

 

IMO I would raise your sump up to match the tank. Imagine it like doing a water change and try to match salinity and temp as close as possible.Depending on your pump and return rates you may drop you DT salinity too fast causing unneeded stress. 1.23-1.25 is my target with my mixed reef, but I try never to go lower then 1.22.

Lower sg will raise dissolved oxygen but will stress fish if too low. Anytime you can maintain stable parameters it will help the overall health of your system.

 

Are there any fish or coral in the tank? If not, probably not a huge deal. If so, do as suggested above. I lost a coral in about 10 minutes when I turned the pump on with salinity differences.

 

In case you needed a 3rd opinion, I as well would get the sump to match as close as you can to both salinity and temperature. If you have a ball valve on the return pump, use it to slow the flow down when you first turn it on.

 

I am just going to go grab some salt mix tomorrow. My fish and corals are too happy to risk anything!
I actually do not have a return pump though. My sump is sitting above the tank and we drilled it to drain into the tank to avoid float switches and such.

 

You lost me there-- regardless where the sump is located, you need a pump to circulate the water. You do not need a float switch, however; your overflow regulates flow to match the pump and maintains the water level in your DT. Can you post some pics of your setup?

 

Yea I will later today!
I'm using a 158gph pump in the DT to go to the sump and then that basically overflows back to the DT .

 

you are doing your top off's into the sump?

do you dump a lot of ro/di water in the sump at one time?

 

Here come the pics all is working well! Just have some clean up left at this point and a top off tomorrow.

Here is the pump from the DT:


Here is the sump and fuge on the shelf:


and here is the return drain:

 

Interesting how the sump is above the main. I was noticing the last pix show what I assume is your return almost under the water line. You mentioned not using the float switch but wouldn't it be a safety to shut off the pump in the main tank should your return become clogged to avoid you DT from overflowing the sump?

Interesting set up for sure.