Hydrometer readings

[mrhasan]

Yah I will but not until the end of August since I will be away for this whole month. My room mate will take care of my tank by feeding the fishes and doing a cup of fresh water top-off every two/three days. So just wanted to make sure that I am getting approximately correct results using the hydrometer so that I can tell him the interval of the top off. I always clean my hydrometer with warm water and vinegar after every use. Any suggestion?

[Myka]

Take it to an LFS and get them to check it for you. I've personally seen them inaccurate by as much as 0.008 in either direction.

[mrhasan]

Yah I was thinking of doing that along with the other parameters too. Any idea how much water I should take to LFS?

[Myka]

100 mL is usually plenty.

[Aquattro]

I had mine tested as being almost completely accurate. It stayed that way for years, until it changed, and by a lot. I ended up running a tank at 1.032 for 4 months. It caused me a lot of grief..

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I had mine tested as being almost completely accurate. It stayed that way for years, until it changed, and by a lot. I ended up running a tank at 1.032 for 4 months. It caused me a lot of grief..

4 months? :O That's a long time! So does that means a "out of the scale" salinity will actually take a long time to punch the system?

[Aquattro]

You can get varying issues. Not enough salt, your corals will suffer. I had too much, hence too much Ca, and my sand solidified. Rock solid slab 2x4 ft. Also not good for fish or corals to have too much. For the cost of a refractometer, I'd go get one today before the stores close.

[dreef]

If you can't afford 50 bucks for a refractometer your definately in the wrong hobby.

[lpsreefer]

If you like depending on where ya live I can stop by and check for you with my refractometer.

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by Myka

100 mL is usually plenty.

Great I was thinking like a liter or something :P Silly me!