Should I top off my water before doing a water change to adjust salinity?

[Dad2Wyatt]

So finals are looming for me so Ive been swamped with college work the past couple days and haven’t been topping my water off (I know I know ATO).

I’ve been testing my water daily this week trying to determine my nutrient intake. With today being day 7 I finally started to see a drop in nutrients meaning my weekly water changes should be able to maintain my nutrient levels as of right now with no dosing.

i did notice quite a bit of evaporation so I tested my salinity and it was pretty high around 40 ppt.

should I top off with RO/DI water before doing my water change? The other idea I considered was doing the water change as normal, followed by a RO top off afterwards?

 

[LuizW13]

Man, I can't go 24 hours without having to top off my 'new' frag tank.

Top off with RODI before doing the water change. Easier than having to make less salty new saltwater for the changes. That make sense?

 

[Tamberav]

I would top it off so you know exactly how much to add. You may want to bring it down over a few days if you have sensitive inverts. Fish can handle a drop just fine though.

I suppose you could also mix up the new water to a lower salinity but that's probably more work to get it correct.

Maybe time to invest in an ATO

 

[vetteguy53081]

No- change and add accordingly. You can however pre-make new water at same salinity as tank and enter new water

 

[Dad2Wyatt]

Man, I can't go 24 hours without having to top off my 'new' frag tank.

Top off with RODI before doing the water change. Easier than having to make less salty new saltwater for the changes. That make sense?

100%! I tried that method during cycling when I was having issues and it was more of a mess than it was worth lol

 

[Azedenkae]

Yeah topping off and then doing water changes would just make your life so much more easier, no need to re-calculate concentrations.

 

[Dad2Wyatt]

I would top it off so you know exactly how much to add. You may want to bring it down over a few days if you have sensitive inverts. Fish can handle a drop just fine though.

I suppose you could also mix up the new water to a lower salinity but that's probably more work to get it correct.

Maybe time to invest in an ATO

I knew the ATO comment would still sneak in here somewhere you May be right. It wasn’t a big deal at first but since I went top less I’ve had to top off almost daily

 

[Dad2Wyatt]

Yeah topping off and then doing water changes would just make your life so much more easier, no need to re-calculate concentrations.

Agreed here! I may not have been clear but my salt is mixed to 35ppt and that’s going in my tank at some point today bc I refuse to adjust it

my main concern was topping off before or after the change but it seems from the replies that both methods would work!

 

[SlugSnorter]

So finals are looming for me so Ive been swamped with college work the past couple days and haven’t been topping my water off (I know I know ATO).

I’ve been testing my water daily this week trying to determine my nutrient intake. With today being day 7 I finally started to see a drop in nutrients meaning my weekly water changes should be able to maintain my nutrient levels as of right now with no dosing.

i did notice quite a bit of evaporation so I tested my salinity and it was pretty high around 40 ppt.

should I top off with RO/DI water before doing my water change? The other idea I considered was doing the water change as normal, followed by a RO top off afterwards?

yes, top it off.

Also you can get a cheap (11 or so USD) ATO if you want. It uses a bottle and isn’t electronic, but works

edit:Amazon product

 

[Dad2Wyatt]

yes, top it off.

Also you can get a cheap (11 or so USD) ATO if you want. It uses a bottle and isn’t electronic, but works

That sounds perfect for now! I’ll look some up and invest!

 

[SlugSnorter]

That sounds perfect for now! I’ll look some up and invest!

Added the link to original, here is another

Amazon product

It works fine, its not perfect, but its good value for the price and works well enough.

 

[WVNed]

Agreed here! I may not have been clear but my salt is mixed to 35ppt and that’s going in my tank at some point today bc I refuse to adjust it

my main concern was topping off before or after the change but it seems from the replies that both methods would work!

I advise you to fill the tank to it's normal level with RODI and then do your water change and forget all the other silliness.

 

[Dad2Wyatt]

I advise you to fill the tank to it's normal level with RODI and then do your water change and forget all the other silliness.

Just did that! Thanks for the help!

 

[Azedenkae]

Added the link to original, here is another

Amazon product

It works fine, its not perfect, but its good value for the price and works well enough.

+1 to these ones. I have one and it works great. Even if it looks... unsightly.