Io reef crystals bad bag?

[frankenbakon]

I have a 44g brute can almost full of rodi and I used an entire bag of io reef crystals that states it will make 50 gallons of water but my hydrometer is showing its only 1.012 and I've stuck it in my tanks water and it shows 1.024 ( fish and corals seem happy)so I'm wondering does not having a heater in the water affect how the salt mixes? It's also been mixing for about 24 hours with power head but no heater wondering if I got a bad bag or if I should heat it b4 adding more salt

Sent from my iPad

Thanks!

 

[cedzaquaddiction]

Seems a little weird to me too. When is the last time you had your hydrometer calibrated?

 

[frankenbakon]

Never but I've had my water tested at the lfs this past weekend and they said the tank water was 1.024 which is what the hydrometer shows its at now so

 

[rdnelson]

When they say 50 gal that is at a lower SG than 1.024. I forget what it is but you won't get as much SW if you are shooting for 1.024.

Also, not sure how you would calibrate a hydrometer. If it has salt build up it could be off (although they are not very accurate to begin with). Soak it in RO for a while to get rid of the salt build up

 

[frankenbakon]

I store it in RO and like I said it shows the same as the lfs test so I'm ok with how it works for now I just thought "reef crystals" was supposed to mix to what most reefs are at..

 

[heathlindner25]

I believe Cold water does affect Hydrometers

 

[rdnelson]

FrankenBakon;832157 wrote: I store it in RO and like I said it shows the same as the lfs test so I'm ok with how it works for now I just thought "reef crystals" was supposed to mix to what most reefs are at..

If you read the bag (or box) it comes in, it will say 50 gals at 1.015 or something like that. They all do that. It is a way to make it look like they are giving you more than they really are.

 

[jennm]

50 gallons at 1.020. 1.012 is way off. I would at least measure the temperature of your mixing water and google for a conversion chart to account for the temperature difference.

Most refractometers compensate for temperature but I somehow doubt that hydrometers do (at least not the box-type hydrometers.)

I don't think the salt is "bad" but rather, it's "short" - ie not enough salt - or too much water.

Jenn

 

[robbywood20]

i've never got 50 gallons at 1.024 with reef crystals. I noticed the other day some of the bags are saying 55 gal mix 5 gals for free but i bet it takes the entire 55 gal bag to make 50 gals at 1.024. when I was using reef crystals I wouls mix it in a 44 gal brute container and would fill it 2" from top and it would take the entire bag to get 1.024. glad i'm not the only one noticing that

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

Personally...I wouldn't trust the hydrometer. They are known not to be accurate. Instead, use a refractometer. Much more accurate! Second, salinity is affected by temperature so if your water is really cold, it would lower the salinity number especially in a hydrometer. These are just my experiences.

 

[jennm]

The "50 gallons" means that brand makes 50 gallons at 1.020. Since most of us keep our specific gravity higher than that, you'll get less water at a higher specific gravity.

The "standard" that IO/Reef Crystals uses is 1.020.

 

[frankenbakon]

I'm current,y unemployed so buying the salt was a challenge must less buying a refractometer.. The extra heater I had is leaching electricity into the water so I don't have a heater to heat the water.. I guess I could use the tank heater since it seems that's the issue is the cold water

 

[frankenbakon]

And I'll try to get a small pack of io tomorrow to make up the difference in higher salinity too

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

I have a 50g bag of IO for $10.

 

[rdnelson]

I will make you a deal. If you can make it to Imagine Ocean tomorrow I would be happy to buy you a 50 gal bag of Reef Crystals. Let me know and I will Pay-pal Jenn.

 

[rdnelson]

porpoiseaquatics;832213 wrote: I have a 50g bag of IO for $10.

Well in that case I will buy you a small heater for your mixing container instead of the salt. It would have to be from someone who can accept Pay-Pal though.

 

[robbywood20]

very nice gesture Rich I'm telling you rdnelson99 is the nicest guy on ARC

 

[frankenbakon]

I'm not familiar with where johns creek is but If its near 85n and N Druid hills I'm in for the salt and to Rich that's super nice of you but you don't have to do that I'm actually riding with a friend to a bday party in canton tomorrow afternoon so we were gonna try to check out imagine ocean anyway lol 7 months of unemployment I'm just tryin to keep the tank goin lol

 

[robbywood20]

He is the main reason I became a paying member. always has the right thing to say

 

[frankenbakon]

I was a member a few years ago but it's been one thing after another and haven't gotten to rejoin but hopefully soon