Do I need to adjust my Specific Gravity?

[Johnny Reefer]

Originally Posted by Myka

...
For a really rough guestimate...about 2 tbsps will raise the sg by about 0.006 or 7 ish in 5 gallons. This is just my guestimate from mixing salt up in my buckets.

Unless I'm reading this wrong, I would think you'd need 5x that much (10 tbsps) to raise 5g by 0.006. According to Instant Ocean directions 2 1/2 cups will raise 5g to ~ 1.024.
1.024 - 1.000 = 0.024
0.024/4 = 0.006
2 1/2 cups = 40 tbsps
40/4 = 10
Therefore, would it not take 10 tbsps of salt to raise 5g of FW (1.000) to an SG of 1.006?

[jassz]

Thank you for you replies. We use refractometers where I work, and check the zero (I think what you call calibrating) daily, as well as run two known controls. So I know they are accurate. I will take a sample in and check it.

So, if the SG is low, how might this affect the fish? The Stars and Stripes puffer seems very lethargic, and he was actually puffed this morning when I went down there. The dog might have scared him. He ate some food off a stick the second day or so, but I haven't seen him eat since. I also haven't seen the lion fish eat since the second day or so. Everyone else (2 triggers, another puffer and a wolf eel) are eating like pigs. I tested the water yesterday, and it was neg for ammonia, nitrate and nitrite, and the pH was 7.8 (which is what it has been since I got the tank). Is that a little low?

Thanks again.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Johnny Reefer

Unless I'm reading this wrong, I would think you'd need 5x that much (10 tbsps) to raise 5g by 0.006. According to Instant Ocean directions 2 1/2 cups will raise 5g to ~ 1.024.
1.024 - 1.000 = 0.024
0.024/4 = 0.006
2 1/2 cups = 40 tbsps
40/4 = 10
Therefore, would it not take 10 tbsps of salt to raise 5g of FW (1.000) to an SG of 1.006?

Well I did say it was a really rough guestimate, but it takes about 3 1/4 cups to get the sg to 1.026. I know that for sure because I put 3 cups and a bit in, and then I add a little more to adjust it.