On the Dark Side

Bob Escher · Mar 6, 2016

ok not really my QT tank is still cycling although ammonia and nitrites are at zero and Nitrates are coming down ( at 2 now, using Red Sea test kits) and the big tank ( to me) hasn't arrived yet. So I was thinking about taking some dry rock I have and cycling it in a bucket. Can I do this in the dark ( leaving a top on but having a heater and water pump running) with no lights. Will this work or do I need to have a light to cycle?
Thanks and here a picture of my ten gallon with nothing but rock in it
Oops almost forgot. I have a refractometer that I first calibrated with RO water then using calibration fluid. I bought a fluval hydrometer and put it in the tank ( instruction say you can leave in tank) the first day it was way higher than what the refractometer said 1.025 then the next day it dropped to 1.025 but then on Wed it dropped to below 1.020 or so for no reason. How can I calibrate it or is it busted somehow ( never dropped it)

Kershaw · Mar 6, 2016

Hydromiters need to soak for about 24 hours. But if you have a refractometer. Use that much more accurate. And yes you can cycle rock in a bucket in the dark just add heat and flow.

Bob Escher · Mar 6, 2016

Thanks I have been using the refractometer first but decided to have a secondary device to checkb( before I buy the apex salinity probe. So the hydrometer did soak for a day and it did go down but now it's really down for some reason

Kershaw · Mar 6, 2016

I have never owned one. I would stick the refractometer. If you don't trust results take it to LFS and check it agenst there's.

Bob Escher · Mar 6, 2016

But do you totally trust your refractometer 100% ? Could you drop it and it go out of wack and not realize it. I just like some redundancy in some of the equipment myself so that's why I bought it. Maybe I should have bought another refractometer

Lonny · Mar 6, 2016

I don't trust them. Mine refractometer was way off and I jacked my salinity thru the roof because of it. I have a glass hydrometer I use as my primary now.

Kershaw · Mar 6, 2016

I recalibrate once a month. And if I drop it I would not trust it. I would recalibrate. I agree with redundancy. Mainly with test kits. If you insist in the hydrometer try taking it out and rinsing it well let it soak in ro water. Then put it back in tank. Also I think there is a tempature correction you have to account for. But I am not 100% sure. I like to do a full panel of testing then take a sample into store and have them check it. Just so it confirms I am doing it right, and that my test kits are accurate

Kershaw · Mar 6, 2016

do what works for you. Like I said I have never had a hydrometer. maybe @Lonny can help with setting it up right.

Lonny · Mar 6, 2016

This is the hydrometer that I use. Very accurate. To calibrate a refractometer for salinity you need to buy salinity calibration fluid. I believe you can buy it on amazon. I personally have not done this. A local reefer I trust told me about it when I had the trouble with my refractometer. He calibrates twice a year or as needed. You can't go wrong with Kershaw's method. Checking your readings against the lfs is never a bad idea.

Kershaw · Mar 6, 2016

I have never seen one like that.

Lonny · Mar 6, 2016

EBay. Not 100% sure because I don't have the paper work anymore but if I remember correctly they are most accurate between 70 and 80 degrees so, perfect for reefing. I'm new to reefing so take that into consideration when reading my posts. This is only my person experience.
I do love this forum tho and have learned so much from it!