Salt Creep

While Reef Casa All in One Aquariums are designed to be as low maintenance as possible there are a few tasks that all reefers will have to attend to regardless of tank size, experience or bioload.  One of these unavoidable tasks is dealing with salt creep.

So what exactly is salt creep?  Put simply it is the leftover residue that is left on surfaces when saltwater evaporates.  This is due to the fact that evaporation from a saltwater tank consists of fresh water vapour only.  It’s the same principle that requires reefers to top up their tanks with freshwater to replace evaporated water in order to prevent salinity levels from rising.  Salt creep can be found in a wide variety of places, with the most common being the rim of the tank, the mesh aquarium lid (if the tank has one) and any equipment placed in the rear chamber that is above the water line.  Basically anywhere that comes in contact with tank water or is exposed to splashes will experience salt creep.

There are a number of reasons why a hobbyist would want to clean salt creep on a regular basis.  The first is aesthetics, as white salt residue can distract from the visual appeal of a beautiful nano reef tank.  Equipment that is exposed to salt creep will also last much longer if the salt is removed on a regular basis.  If left unchecked, salt creep can even be a safety hazard, as over time it can work its way down power cords and potentially come into contact with electrical sockets, although this would take quite a while to occur.

Luckily cleaning salt creep is very easy.  Simply use a soft cloth and warm water to gently remove the residue.  This will be much easier if you remove salt creep from your Reef Casa tank on a regular basis instead of letting it build up.  While there are a number of aquarium specific cleaners available, do not use household cleaners as they can damage the glass or introduce harmful chemicals into the tank.

Salt creep is something that all reefers have to address on a regular basis but a few minutes of work a few times a week will help keep your home reef tank looking great!