hey guys, salinity help

[shadowdawg]

hey guys, so i have been having some problems with my tank, and i have been losing some corals. ive tested and done water changes and everything. there isn't a lot of algae, so im wondering if my salinity is off. my hydrometer went from reading perfection to saying its extremely low in the last top off. i was wondering if i could barrow someones refractometer. unless that's a nono haha but yeah, thanks. i just would like to have one on hand while i try and get my specific gravity exactly what i need it. thanks in advance! =D

 

[raz0945]

If you are close to a store they would check the salinty for you. You should try and get a refractor as soon as possible, the hydrometer are notoriously off.

 

[shadowdawg]

Thats what I was hoping, but money is hard to come by right now lol especially since im 15
Wish me luck!

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[jennm]

Are you mixing your own saltwater, or buying it pre-mixed from the LFS?

Most people who buy water, never test it. *That* is a big no-no. Always test new saltwater's specific gravity before you use it, whether you mix it yourself, or buy it pre-made.

Jenn

 

[shadowdawg]

Mixing my own
And thats a good tip there


Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[heathlindner25]

Buy a hydormeter they are cheap , after you buy it have the store mark a line on it where 1.025 is supposed to be. Hydrometers are always "off "but they are" off "consistently, Once you mark a line on it where 1.025 supposed to be it should be fairly accurate
once you have it set just make sure there are no air bubbles on the swinging arm when you test.

 

[frag freak]

Shadowdog, I'll meet you in canton and test your water if needed...

I caught a flu bug and have been sleeping all day. If I feel up to it I'd be happy to help.

 

[shadowdawg]

Hey thanks for offering
That's really nice of you. But considering your sick I think it'd be better for both of us if you stayed at home but honestly it's really nice of you. I will get this tank stuff figured out lol

 

[sea atlanta]

heathlindner25;939408 wrote: Buy a hydormeter they are cheap , after you buy it have the store mark a line on it where 1.025 is supposed to be. Hydrometers are always "off "but they are" off "consistently, Once you mark a line on it where 1.025 supposed to be it should be fairly accurate
once you have it set just make sure there are no air bubbles on the swinging arm when you test.

Provided the hydrometer is cleaned well after use, and the plastic float doesnt dry and distort. Hydrometers do get progressively more incorrect when the buoyancy of that float alters for the reasons stated.

 

[heathlindner25]

SEA Atlanta;939553 wrote: Provided the hydrometer is cleaned well after use, and the plastic float doesnt dry and distort. Hydrometers do get progressively more incorrect when the buoyancy of that float alters for the reasons stated.

the kids on a budget ,do you have any advice for him?

 

[sea atlanta]

heathlindner25;939561 wrote: the kids on a budget ,do you have any advice for him?

Absolutely. Hydrometers are a great start. Im not saying they arent. Im saying they do not stay consistant. They should be rinsed after EVERY use with freshwater.

Glass float hydrometers are still used professional aquarists around the world, and they are incredibly accurate if used properly and are dirt cheap too. A VERY reasonable investment for someone planning to keep a marine tank long term is a refractometer though.