top off water poll

im not sure what the recommended method of top off is so i figured id start a poll to get an idea of what people do.

im considering setting up a 37gal rubbermade xl bucket with a heater, powerhead, and placing the pump controlled by a auto-top off device next to my sump.

im not sure if i should be topping off with ro/di, ro/di+salt mix, etc. i intended on using this 37gal container as a mix bucket and then decided it could maybe do both functions?

 

DO NOT add salt to your top off water, only the water evaporates leaving the original salt content in the tank.

The only time you need to add salt is if your performing an actual water change (taking out 5 gal of old water and adding back 5 gal fresh saltwater) or if you are raising the specific gravity level of the water already in the tank for some reason (rare)

 

alright thanks! ill use this 37gal for a salt mixer. ill go buy another smaller (10-15gal) rubbermade for ro/di top off.

should the ro/di top off be pre-heated or is room temp good enough (~70-72 degrees)?

 

mine is just room temp, since you usually only top off with a gallon or 3 and adding it directly to the sump it wont overly affect the tanks temp for more than a minute if at all.

 

sweet. less electricity = less money spent = more money to use on other reef stuff. ah... how i easily persuade myself to spend more

 

I top off with Ro water mixed with kalk. It's on an auto top of so only a gallon at a time or so. Helps keep the Ca up and the pH up in the correct range- Paul

 

I used to use this with my RO/DI for top offs, but now I just use the RO/DI alone.





Luna

 

RO/DI with Kakwasser. Just using KentM for now looking for cheaper pickling lime.

 

I just drip kalk + RO/Di. I got three 5 gallon buckets of kalk off a local forum for $30, so its going to go this way for a looooong time.

~Will.

 

At times it could be necessary, if salt were to drop.