Salinity Fluctuation

[Mogwai]

I'm about to start cycling my tank for the first time and was wondering. I mixed up Crystal reef salt and let it circulate for 24hrs. When I checked the salinity of the water it was between 32-34PPT. I check the water again today and it was down between 28-30PPT, Any suggestions as to what it might be? Thx in advance.

 

[Jekyl]

I'm about to start cycling my tank for the first time and was wondering. I mixed up Crystal reef salt and let it circulate for 24hrs. When I checked the salinity of the water it was between 32-34PPT. I check the water again today and it was down between 28-30PPT, Any suggestions as to what it might be? Thx in advance.

How are you testing? A refractometer with calibration liquid is how I test. The ranges you've said wouldn't be ok either way. You want to know exactly, not a range.

 

[Mogwai]

How are you testing? A refractometer with calibration liquid is how I test. The ranges you've said wouldn't be ok either way. You want to know exactly, not a range.

Hydrometer from Instant Ocean. They say as long as I'm in the red it's ok but I'm trying to be as specific as possible with it. SG: 1.024-25 and PPT: 32-34. Lol.

 

[Mogwai]

How are you testing? A refractometer with calibration liquid is how I test. The ranges you've said wouldn't be ok either way. You want to know exactly, not a range.

Just kind of annoying trying to get a good reading with fluctuations. Lol

 

[Jekyl]

I would recommend a better method. I use the ATC brand refractometer. If you buy one make sure to get calibration liquid with it. Testing is a big part of owning a tank. A good refractometer and testing kits like salifert, red sea or hanna are a good investment.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'm about to start cycling my tank for the first time and was wondering. I mixed up Crystal reef salt and let it circulate for 24hrs. When I checked the salinity of the water it was between 32-34PPT. I check the water again today and it was down between 28-30PPT, Any suggestions as to what it might be? Thx in advance.

There's no way the salinity can fall unless you added more water.

 

[Mogwai]

There's no way the salinity can fall unless you added could it be the water wasn't being Circulated when I checked the second time?

There's no way the salinity can fall unless you added more water.

The salinity of the water rose when it wasn't circulating and dropped when it was circulating. I checked now and the salinity is just above 32PPT. I asked because I found it strange. I'm still learning the science behind saltwater so I rather ask before I do something to screw something up.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The salinity of the water rose when it wasn't circulating and dropped when it was circulating. I checked now and the salinity is just above 32PPT. I asked because I found it strange. I'm still learning the science behind saltwater so I rather ask before I do something to screw something up.

That is an error too. The dissolved salts cannot settle out, nor does stirring impact actual salinity (unless you are still dissolving solid salt, in which case it can rise.

 

[BanjoBandito]

I've never seen it go DOWN before, but I've jumped the gun and tested right off the bat only to have the salinity creep up .002 or so after it's sat and mixed for a bit.