Hyper salinity issue

[Joybird]

I've made a newbies mistake. About eight months ago I bought a complete setup from someone and have just been slowly upgrading equipment one bit at a time. Of all things, I never replaced the hydrometer. I just didn't think of it. The other day I was in my LFS and saw hydrometers and thought, hey, cool, these are only like ten bucks, I'll grab one. Bring it home and it shows my salinity at 1.038!!!!! (The old one still reads 1.021). Sigh. So I just bought a refractometer and it's reading 1.030).
First, AAAARRRGGHH!!!

Second, now what? All my livestock has bern living in this hyper salinity for eight months (some less time). Here's what I've got, if it matters: double mosaic starfish, clown, watchman, scooter blenny, royal gramma, nassarius snails, clean up dudes, feather duster, and the only coral I have yet is a purple gorgonian. (70 gallon)

Do I just slowly (over days, weeks?) add fresh water? Do I maintain it at this level since this is what everyone is used to? I'm so mad at myself that I didn't replace this first of all.

 

[Kershaw]

First thing to do is make sure others are getting same reading as you. Take your refractomer to your lfs and test there water with yours. And ask them to check with there's. Make sure you calibrate. It. If turns out to be accurate just dont panic. And mix your salt low when you do water changes until it's corrected. If nothing is dying right now go slow

 

[Kershaw]

Don't feel bad. it happens there are lots of people that topped off with saltwater in the beginning

 

[Jason mack]

I had the same with one of them floating sg meters ( the paper on the inside slipped down )then I bought a refractometer . Just do WC once a day with a lower sg mix and slowly bring it down .. don't panic !! All will be fine .. and don't feel bad .. it's just a learning curve .!!! Good luck , happy reefing !!