Mixing salt… reading 0 salinity

[ATXreefer]

Getting prepared to do a water change today and can’t get a salinity reading on my fresh salt mix. Using aquaforest reef salt, 5 gallon bucket, have added 3 cups of salt mix so far with no reading. Using a dummy proof glass hydrometer from tropic Marin.

My salt bag has a hole in it somewhere and the humidity caused it to clump. I have mixed the absolute heck out of it last night through this morning. I can’t see any sat clumping in the bucket though.

Any help solving this mystery will be greatly appreciated.

 

[EricR]

What do you mean by "can't get a salinity reading"?
Is the hydrometer completely sinking to the bottom of the bucket?
*If so, I'd blame the hydrometer -- like cracked and filling up with water or something.

 

[Matt Bravo]

You sure that it’s fully dissolved? I don’t trust my salt reading unless it’s heated up to 77F and the water is clear itself. Maybe try warming it up to tank temp?

 

[ATXreefer]

Currently sitting at tank temp. I’d hate to throw out this water and have to go to the LFS to get mor RO, but I’m thinking that may be the move. I have a fresh unopened bag of salt I can use.

 

[Matt Bravo]

Let it sit for about 15 mins and try again don’t throw it out yet

 

[fishyjoes]

You could verify the hydrometer is functional by testing the water from your tank

 

[The_Paradox]

Taste it. Seems unlikely but could be a batch of “salt” got mixed sans salt. Taste test will at least tell you where you should be looking.

 

[Matt Bravo]

Cheers op!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

if you mix 3 cups of salt with water and get zero salinity, its not the water you should throw out, but your tool lol.

Its impossible to be zero salinity, so I would keep the water moving with a powerhead, and go buy another tool.

 

[ATXreefer]

I checked the tank water a few minutes ago and reading 1.025. Will check the salt mix again in a few minutes

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

As folks have noted, it is not possible for the salt to go bad such that the salinity is substantially diminished.

 

[KrisReef]

if you mix 3 cups of salt with water and get zero salinity, its not the water you should throw out, but your tool lol.

Its impossible to be zero salinity, so I would keep the water moving with a powerhead, and go buy another tool.

Not if the salts evaporated out of the bucket, you know! Like he may have gotten a really bad batch of salt? That salt said; “I’m outta here. I am not going into the tank to get pooped on by a bunch of scaley fish.”

Bad salts! It has to be bad salts.

 

[ATXreefer]

I have again tested the fresh salt mix with no reading. I have another 5 gallon jug of fresh RO that I’m going to add salt out of the brand new bag to and see what happens. Will update with results asap

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Unless there is 3 cups of undissolved salt sitting on the bottom, there is a measurement issue, not a salt issue.

The 3 cups dissolved? If so, it cannot not raise salinity.

 

[docshipwreck]

Test your tank water with your hydrometer before you do anything else. Something seems off with your hydrometer.

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

Getting prepared to do a water change today and can’t get a salinity reading on my fresh salt mix. Using aquaforest reef salt, 5 gallon bucket, have added 3 cups of salt mix so far with no reading. Using a dummy proof glass hydrometer from tropic Marin.

My salt bag has a hole in it somewhere and the humidity caused it to clump. I have mixed the absolute heck out of it last night through this morning. I can’t see any sat clumping in the bucket though.

Any help solving this mystery will be greatly appreciated.

You're using a hydrometer, those things are absolute s***, they're extremely inaccurate, always use a hydrometer. My personal preference is the Milwaukee digital refractometer

 

[ATXreefer]

Test your tank water with your hydrometer before you do anything else. Something seems off with your hydrometer.

I did test the tank and it’s at 1.025

 

[ATXreefer]

You're using a hydrometer, those things are absolute s***, they're extremely inaccurate, always use a hydrometer. My personal preference is the Milwaukee digital refractometer

I’m confused because you’re saying hydrometer in both instances. I’m too ignorant to interpret what was actually meant. This is exactly what I have https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/high..._JWgpMm9DggEygyv5tQt4Wta6x_QQeexoCnQQQAvD_BwE

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

I’m confused because you’re saying hydrometer in both instances. I’m too ignorant to interpret what was actually meant. This is exactly what I have https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/high-precision-hydrometer-tropic-marin.html?dfw_tracker=43788-212888&ab_version=A&utm_term=&utm_campaign=EL+|+ACQ_Smart_Shopping+|+ROAS+|+All+Products&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=7373341438&hsa_cam=17740353356&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gclid=CjwKCAjw-KipBhBtEiwAWjgwrKI_9qjWvXNqlUVLQWjADD_JWgpMm9DggEygyv5tQt4Wta6x_QQeexoCnQQQAvD_BwE

My bad, meant refractometer. This is what I use

MA887 Digital Seawater Refractometer - Milwaukee

The new Milwaukee MA887 Seawater Digital Refractometer encompasses 3 different types of user selected scales for the measurement of seawater providing for a much more precise evaluation. Each scale is temperature compensated. PSU - The newest type scale standard – Letters stand for Practical...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Though this is a cheaper option with similar accuracy

LED Refractometer for Reading Salinity with Calibration Fluid

Precise & Reliable Specific Gravity Readings in any Lighting Conditions! Refractometers are a must-have piece of equipment for any aquarists! Easily and accurately measure the salinity of your tank and with the built-in LED light, your readings will be consistent no matter the type of ambient...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

I've found hydrometers are very inaccurate and unprecise. though I don't have experience with that particular model, though I know the hydrometer I've used always gave me inaccurate readings, though it was a different design, though those two have always worked well and I've always gotten an accurate reading. Though i haven't used the handheld one myself, the people I know that use them say they work great

 

[Dom]

Currently sitting at tank temp. I’d hate to throw out this water and have to go to the LFS to get mor RO, but I’m thinking that may be the move. I have a fresh unopened bag of salt I can use.

No, not the move.

You can get a refractometer for under $20.00 on Amazon. Calibrate and take a reading.

If your salt is too high, dilute with fresh RODI. If your salt is too low, add salt.