Top Off

I was wondering how to top off water in a marine system. I am not looking for an auto top off, if I can do it myself I might as well.

 

Just add a little freshwater as needed, preferably room/Di water.

 

Add RO/DI Fw directly to the sump or slowly to the display daily or as needed to maintain an SG 1.025-1.027 for a tank containing corals.

You will need to measure the SG daily to get an idea of the evaporation rate of your tank. After a while you get an idea or routine of how much water to add.

If you do not have a refractometer, I suggest to have at least two hydrometers so you can check the value against each other.

 

I would honestly look into the JBJ or some other type of ATO unit. It has been by far the best investment I have made for my tank. I use to add water daily but that got really old after a few months or so.

Hope this helps

 

If you have a sump and your salinity is where you want it to be use a marker and mark the water line on the outside of the sump then just fill it back up to that line everyday or twice a day. Just remember that before you do a water change make sure to top it off with freshwater and let it run for an hour or so before you change the water. That way when your adding your new saltwater you can just fill it back up to the line.

 

I think its best to add the top off water to the sump next to the protein skimmer so it will sor of mix it in before going into your display.

 

I am just about to add auto top off, I have auto feeder, lights on a timer, I am bloody sick of being tied to the tank

 

Sounds like you need a Apex Controller.

 

Check out auto top off.com, they have a good setup for about 60 bucks. ATO is a must imo, it will make life a lot easier, I used to top off 3 times a day, and the more you add, the bigger the salinity swing, which is not good. Any successful tank will have some measure to prevent swings in parameters.