Extremely low salinity Updated!!!

[bigmac]

My tank is 100 gallons display with a 30 gallon sump.
The weird thing is that my Rose Bubble tip anenomes and elephant ear (false coral) don't seem to mind. Anyways, I have started the rise in salinity with a 30 gallon water change at 1.015 so as not to shock my system too much.

I plan on changing 30 gallons every couple of days (with higher salinity each time) until I reach the desired result in the display of 1.024 to 1.026.

[PuffLuv]

That is amazing!! I'm very surprised that your anemone survived. Do you know how long it was at that level for? On a side note, you probably saved a bit of cash on salt, maybe enough to cover the cost of the refractometer...

[bigmac]

So after second guessing all of my results thus far; I went out and purchased some distilled water to start over (thinking that the calibration fluid was somehow compromised).
Long story short; I recalibrated with distilled and lo and behold my salinity level was perfectly fine where it was.
Now looking at the calibration fluid directions (on the bottle) and the pamphlet directions (that came with the refractometer); they differ quite a bit. Ultimately this boils down to me not properly learning how to use new equipment before adjusting my methods.

So now; my salinity is too high (murphy's law) at 1.035. I've moved my ATO float switch higher so that it adds more water and brings it back down to respectful levels. The moral of this story.......sometimes keeping status quo and not touching anything is the best method.

[Zoaelite]

Calibration fluid? I was told just to use distilled water right off the bat, only thing is I used RO/DI water so I have a feeling my calibration might be off. Well what ever happened my corals are now happier than before (No more closed up zoas and angry acans) so I have a feeling that it was a step in the right direction. Bigmac are your corals showing any stress?
Levi

[Myka]

You're actually supposed to use calibration fluid instead of distilled or RO/DI water. You should use a fluid that is close to the salinity you are measuring (as with any calibration fluid). I use Pinpoint Salinity which is 35 ppt (~1.026). Works very well.

[Zoaelite]

Originally Posted by Myka

You're actually supposed to use calibration fluid instead of distilled or RO/DI water. You should use a fluid that is close to the salinity you are measuring (as with any calibration fluid). I use Pinpoint Salinity which is 35 ppt (~1.026). Works very well.

Wait I'm confused, I thought you used distilled water as a 1.000 gradient (Which set the scale) and then that was the comparison to your salt water. Ahah watch my salinity is actually at 1.015 oh dear crash here I come.

Edit* Just checked my instruction pamphlet (On a Vertex Refractometer) and it says to use distilled water, what type of meter do you use myka?
Levi

mine uses distilled water also and I believe most do I have checked out quite a few Refractometers. Mine came with distilled water measures to 1.000 gradient also. I have checked freskly mixed satlwater and some that has been mixed for a week or 2 wating to be used.

Bill