salinity spiked to 1.029 from 1.024 - Page 2

RedCoralEdmonton · #1 11-12-2011, 02:25 AM

wow who sells refractometers for 80+? we sell the vertex ones for 50.... never have failed yet...

Steve

Nano · #2 11-12-2011, 02:39 AM

Big als. I need some reliable equiptment though, I'm tired of wasting my money! lol if its a good refractometer I will get it lol, what are your hours on saturdays?

Myka · #3 11-12-2011, 03:04 AM

It is a good idea to check a hydrometer at least every 6 months against a refractometer. In my experience most hydrometers are somewhat accuracy (+/- 0.003) for the first year or so, but wander off as time goes on. I have two hydrometers and they are off by 0.006 and 0.008 which is plenty enough to cause some serious issues in the tank! Both of my hydrometers read lower than they are, so the one reads 1.026 when the water is actually 1.034!

I like to use hydrometers for daily use though because it is quick and easy. I just use a Sharpie to mark the numbers I like to use. Rubbing alcohol will take the Sharpie off to re-mark when I re-calibrate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nanomano

I am wondering if the effect is the same with soft and hard corals

Corals don't tolerate hyposalinity, so there should never be a great swing. Some LFS keep their salinity at 1.020 or 1.023 though and I have never had trouble swinging from that to 1.026 or going the other way.

Nano · #4 11-12-2011, 03:11 AM

yeah I hear that haha, mine read 1.029 but the refractometer said 1.032 (YIKES!!!) so I know its off but .003 as well for now, I would still like to invest in one though to prevent further mishaps... I can see why many people give up so quickly lol, but not me my tanks are my hobby. gotta figure out all the tricks then I will have no problem

Nano · #5 11-12-2011, 03:12 AM

my only coral that is affected is my xenia, so hopefully it can come back nce the salinity is back to normal, I hope to have it ate 1.023-1.024 by sunday (its at 1.027 now

paddyob · #6 11-12-2011, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nanomano

I dont know! lol evaporation perhaps? I could have made a mistake too though I am new... I have done a 25 percent water change and lowered it to 1.027 tomorrow I will try to get it back to 1.025 does this sound good?

Let your water mix over night. You will ensure salinity if you know it's mixed well.

Smaller water changes over the next week or so. 5 g every day or two. Use 1.021-1.022 as your new water. You will be fine.

Evaporate is a bitch. I keep my SG at about 1.023 so any evaporation is negligible.