Phantom problem almost wiped out my tank

[Ben street]

Over the past three months my 75 gallon reef has been in steady decline first polyp extension in all of my SPS disappeared in what seemed like overnight. Then started losing color across the tank. Soon after completely lost every bit of SPS. I did everything! checked for contaminants, looked at parameters, looked into alkalinity, nutrients,lighting, flow, exhausted every single issue and could not decipher what the problem was. I decided on a whim to use My old hydrometer to check salinity in the tank to my surprise I found that the Salinity was at 1.020 ( 1.026 was normal) I quickly grab my refractometer And checked my salinity levels, and it showed perfect 1.026. I then Went to the LFS and purchased some refractometer calibrating solution and found that my hydrometer while being calibrated on RODI water With 0 tds Was Catastrophically un accurate. One thing I think everybody assumes is their instruments and testing equipment is accurate, but it is always good to doublecheck! especially in moments of crisis because,had I caught this sooner instead of assuming my instruments are accurate I could’ve saved hundreds of dollars of SPS.

Everything is good now but wanted to share my Experience.

 

[Blackice615]

Sorry to hear about your loss

 

[ckalupa]

Ya - have to calibrate them however they need to be but it is good to keep some salinity reference solution on hand (like the Apex calibration 53K) to test on occasion to make sure it is reading accurately in our target range, too.

 

[P-Dub]

Ah, Ben. That flat out sucks. Sorry about your loss. Calibration is always key. I calibrate my refractometer before every use. Most of the time, it is within .001 but that is not good enough for me. Calibrating solution and reading measurements at consistent temperature are easy and cheap relative to the alternatives as you already, painfully know.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I and I think many of us have been victim to False salinity. I suggest once a month or so to take a vial of tank water when you are headed to LFS for food, coral, etc and ask them to test for salinity and even nitrates. I have had false readings in the past and now invested in the Icecap unit which is quick and easy to use and has matched 4 different test kits.
As stability is key, this is proof that when there is a change, the corals respond accordingly