Instant ocean. 1/2 cup per gallon?

[workhz]

I've never had this happen before. 1st off, I tested my hannah meter in the DT and it was 1.025 and then I tested by water change water (16 gallons of it). I then used the hannan solution to calibrate and again tank was 1.025.

Now the issue, I initially put 8 cups of salt into the 16 gallons and ran it overnight. Guess was the salinity is? 1.010. How on earth is that possible? Temp of water is currently 66F but the meter is suppose to compensate. I mean there's no way I'd need 20 cups to get to 1.025 is there? It's a new bucket ... what gives?

 

[nereefpat]

Something is wrong here.

For instant ocean, 1/2 cup per gallon won't get you quite to reef salinity, but it should be much higher than 1.01...should be closer to 1.023 in my experience. Temperature will move the numbers, but near that much. Did you use 1/4 cup accidentally? Or 8 half cups instead of 8 cups?

 

[threebuoys]

I agree with @nereefpat . Does your measuring device need to be recalibrated, again? Did the salt precipitate out? Is your reservoir outside, freezing? Perhaps you should mix a smaller batch, say 4 gallons in a 5 gallon bucket and see if you get the same result?

 

[Midrats]

Three level cups gets me a five gallon bucket at 1.026

 

[workhz]

I really don’t get it. Brute container inside. I used a 2 cup glass measuring cup. 4 of them full into 16 gallons.

 

[Jekyl]

Testing method calibrated?

 

[workhz]

Testing method calibrated?

yeah, calibrated to DT and test solution. Hannah meter.

I put it in the salt mix and it was that low so I figured it was off. Put it in the DT and it read 1.025 as I'd expect. Put back in the mix. 1.010. Calibrated with solution. Same thing. I see some residue at the bottom of the container but don't think enough to throw things off that much. I threw a 2 more cups in and will let it mix some more and will test tonight.

10 cups for 16 gallons is about what I'd expect. We'll see if something the levels go up.

I will try a smaller batch to see what happens but this is odd.

 

[workhz]

User error. Guess I didn't realize how much salt there was at the bottom of the brute even though I had a powerhead running overnight. With the 2 extra cups and mixing everything a couple of times an hour by hand and a couple more hours of powerhead and I'm at 1.034. Took a couple of gallons out and now I'm making more rodi water. Oh well.

Never had it be off by that much after going overnight with a powerhead.

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

During the the Winter I only put Half the Salt in till the Heater in the Brute Container kicks it up to at least 76 F Even though my Brute is on a Dolly, the water is colder than the basement. Also my RO/DI Water is even colder.