Premixed water from big als warning**

btuck887 · #1 12-16-2013, 02:07 AM

Just curious as to how many people purchase pre mixed saltwater from bigs? Of those of u who do, how many of u test the specific gravity of it before putting it into your tank? I just picked up5 gallons yesterday and was going to do a water change tonight but after testing it this was the result. I under stand these hydrometers aren't that accurate but I feel this is way to low. You think they would test there batch better before selling it to customers

hillegom · #2 12-16-2013, 02:16 AM

I would ask a friend with a refractometer, recently calibrated to check your readings. Those hydrometers you are using are historically not very accurate.
Failing that, bring a sample of the water to another LFS and get them to check your reading. They will do this for free

kien · #3 12-16-2013, 02:25 AM

I would trust a politiain before I would trust that swinging arm hydrometer. Just sayin'. :-).

In other words, definitely try retesting with a refractometer and see what you get. If the refract reads low then we'll talk :-)

The Grizz · #4 12-16-2013, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kien

I would trust a politiain before I would trust that swinging arm hydrometer. Just sayin'. :-).

In other words, definitely try retesting with a refractometer and see what you get. If the refract reads low then we'll talk :-)

Exactly!!! Worst thing ever invented.

btuck887 · #5 12-16-2013, 02:31 AM

Ya I better get a refrac then because my tank reads "good" from the hydrometer so maybe it's not good but REALLY high!! Anyone got a refractometer for sale

The Grizz · #6 12-16-2013, 02:38 AM

If you can afford a new one I would go that route so you can be assured it is correct & get some calibration fluid as well. Talk to the crew at Concepts, Im sure they can fix you up.

spit.fire · #7 12-16-2013, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simons

I couldn't imagine hauling water from any LFS, I guess with smaller tanks it's an option but I would think over time getting a RO/DI unit would be a much cheaper option.

I mix about 100Gal of fresh salt water every two weeks for water changes. Dragging that much water around from a LFS would be..well impossible for me.

I watched a guy load up a 5g jug of ro/di water onto a 2 week electric scooter at a lfs