SALINITY LEVEL TO COOK LIVE ROCK

[john white]

HI ALL
I HAVE MY LIVE ROCK COOKING AT PRESENT IN CONTAINER WITH LID, HEATER AND POWERHEADS
MY SALINITY LEVEL HAS DROPPED FROM 1.024 TO 1.022 OVER THE LAST WEEK
WNY HAS IT DROPPED ANY IDEAS
IM MEASURING LEVEL WITH DIGITAL REFRACTOMETER
CHEERS
JONJON59

 

[EriksOasis]

Evaporation? Also how accurate is your refractometer? Has it been calibrated recently?

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Evaporation raises salinity. For it to go down, moisture would have to be added to the system or salt would need to be chemically removed. Since the latter is most likely not occurring, I would look for fresh water intrusion, whether from condensation or something else in the area that you have it curing.

 

[EriksOasis]

Wasn’t paying attention my fault.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Wasn’t paying attention my fault.

It's okay, I hope you didn't take any offense to my post! I wasn't trying to be mean but looking at it now I can see that it could be seen as a little short/rude

 

[john white]

Hi my refractometer is a new milwaukee digital one
Bought brand new this week calibrated and readings were correct using distilled water
Ive tested my ro water and got reading of 0
Im using coral pro salt it says on tub 35 gramms salt per litre water
Which i measured out added to water slowly and used powerhead to mix
Tested salinity next day reading was 0.124
Tested today reading was 0.122
Fresh water cant get into the container it has sealed lid and its not near water supply
So have i done it correctly
There is a heater in the tub as here in uk its quite cold
Awaiting any advice
Thanks jonjon59

 

[john white]

It's okay, I hope you didn't take any offense to my post! I wasn't trying to be mean but looking at it now I can see that it could be seen as a little short/rude

No far from it i didnt find it offensive or rude im here to learn

 

[zachxlutz]

Hi my refractometer is a new milwaukee digital one
Bought brand new this week calibrated and readings were correct using distilled water
Ive tested my ro water and got reading of 0
Im using coral pro salt it says on tub 35 gramms salt per litre water
Which i measured out added to water slowly and used powerhead to mix
Tested salinity next day reading was 0.124
Tested today reading was 0.122
Fresh water cant get into the container it has sealed lid and its not near water supply
So have i done it correctly
There is a heater in the tub as here in uk its quite cold
Awaiting any advice
Thanks jonjon59

Sounds like a testing error. I've found the Milwaukee digital refractometer is convenient but not always accurate. I always go to my trusty manual refractometer for precise measurements. Do you have one available to confirm readings?

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

.002 could be in the range or error for this device, Take 3-5 different samples from different areas in the tub and see what the average is.

 

[Potatohead]

Has to be testing error.

Also when you do your water changes and what not while curing, just use cheap salt, you don't need to use expensive salt.

 

[EriksOasis]

Not rude at all! Just a mistake on my end. But that’s why I asked if the refractometer was calibrated .002 isn’t could certainly be a test error not much to worry about test a couple different times like stated and see what come of it.