Salinity

SPR1968 · Apr 5, 2020

Great advice already so Welcome to R2R!!!

dbl · Apr 5, 2020

Welcome to R2R and your new reefing family.

Dr. Phil · Apr 5, 2020

Reneesparks said:
I'm using a hydrometer, that came with the kit, I've used them before with good results and comfortable with them. When I first set the tank up and test the salinity about 3 days late after the water cleared, it was off the charts... Did about an 8 gal empty and added just water, now i'm adding about 2 tbsp of salt with 8 oz water at least once a day for the past 6 and not getting any where. I'm not really in a hurry, but this is too slow. Lol.

I would highly recommend purchasing a refractometer. Hydrometers are notorious for being inaccurate.

Refractometer for Reading Salinity with Calibration Fluid

Take Control of Your Aquarium's Salinity Level Accurate Readings: Measures salinity from 1.000 to 1.070 specific gravity. Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC): Provides reliable readings under varying temperatures. Easy Calibration: Maintain accuracy with a quick calibration process...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Reneesparks · Apr 5, 2020

diaz2010 said:
I would highly recommend purchasing a refractometer. Hydrometers are notorious for being inaccurate.

Refractometer for Reading Salinity with Calibration Fluid

Take Control of Your Aquarium's Salinity Level Accurate Readings: Measures salinity from 1.000 to 1.070 specific gravity. Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC): Provides reliable readings under varying temperatures. Easy Calibration: Maintain accuracy with a quick calibration process...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Looks like this is going to be my next investment, along with a heater.

fishguy242 · Apr 5, 2020

hi welcome to the reef going to love it here!
lots of fun/info/fun/help/fun!!!
pics!!...we all love pics!!!!

fishguy242 · Apr 5, 2020

never trust a dipper,can use but need refractor for judge

mich2599 · Apr 5, 2020

Welcome to R2R!

Gernader · Apr 5, 2020

Welcome to R2R!! I find refractometers are much more accurate than hydrometers. Glad to see you are willing to get a refractometer and a heater!

JoshO · Apr 5, 2020

Seems like you've gotten good advice already.
I'd definitely invest in a refractometer. If you're adding salt then it physically can't be staying at 1.016!
Have a look at your salt and it's mixing instructions, mix up a batch and test the salinity of that. If for example you're using tropic Marin pro reef, like I am, then 38.2g of salt per litre of RO water gives me a salinity of 1.026
If you know your ratios then make a batch that can guarantee a certain salinity and test the hydrometer in that

Reneesparks · Apr 5, 2020

Reneesparks said:
I recently, like a week and a half ago, set up a 32 gal Biocube and I'm having trouble getting my salinity above 1.016. Help?

My tank when it was still the Murky Sea.

BeejReef · Apr 5, 2020

Welcome

Reneesparks · Apr 5, 2020

JoshO said:
Seems like you've gotten good advice already.
I'd definitely invest in a refractometer. If you're adding salt then it physically can't be staying at 1.016!
Have a look at your salt and it's mixing instructions, mix up a batch and test the salinity of that. If for example you're using tropic Marin pro reef, like I am, then 38.2g of salt per litre of RO water gives me a salinity of 1.026
If you know your ratios then make a batch that can guarantee a certain salinity and test the hydrometer in that

I am mixing very small amounts... 2 tbsp to 8 oz of water. For now, until I can get a refractometer, i'm gonna hold off testing. because this makes a lot of sense that it can't be staying the same.

fuelman · Apr 5, 2020

Welcome to R2R!!!

JoshO · Apr 5, 2020

Reneesparks said:
I am mixing very small amounts... 2 tbsp to 8 oz of water. For now, until I can get a refractometer, i'm gonna hold off testing. because this makes a lot of sense that it can't be staying the same.

Make up a batch of water, a few litres will be a fine, try to get it to the correct temperature if you can and test that, it'll give you a good indication as to whether it's working or not

Reneesparks · Apr 5, 2020

So, another question, I guess. With a saltwater tank don't you have to test for ammonia? I have an API Reef Master Test Kit, but it doesn't include Ammonia. Of course, there's nothing in my tank to create ammonia yet, so this is just a curiosity question?

Trylobyte · Apr 5, 2020

For your salinity, you'll need to get your temp up. I usually heat my water to temp, remove the heater and then mix the salt for 20 minutes before adding the heater back in for the final 40 minutes of mixing (the reaction of the salt mixing can be hard on the heater seals). I use Instant Ocean, and about 1 1/8 cup gets me a salinity of 1.026 with 2 gallons of water (I use 4 gallons each time and 2 1/4 cups).

As for your hydrometer, when you are checking your salinity, are you placing it on a level surface and then flicking it a couple times to remove all the bubbles? They will seriously mess up your reading and sometimes I wouldn't even see them. As others have stated, I would definitely invest into a refractometer as its much more accurate and consistent on readings. Just make sure you are cleaning off the viewer with fresh water and using the clothe so you don't have left over salt effecting your reading.

EDIT:

Also in your pic, is that huge rock actually touching and leaning up against your glass? If it is I would definitely remove that piece, if you feel you really need it, to break it down (chisel, grinder, etc.) and place the smaller pieces in maybe like little islands around your center. Not only should you keep at least the distance of a "magfloat" or "algae pad" distance from the glass so you can clean, that just worries that heck outta me sitting against it

Brandon Smith · Apr 5, 2020

Bethany Yates · Apr 5, 2020

Reneesparks said:
With the current quarantine my nearest Reef Store is in Shreveport, LA. I haven't gotten a thermometer for it yet, but the current water temp is 73 degrees F. a little low, I'm sure and to be honest I didn't think about how temperature would affect salinity.

Hydrometers are hard because it is not really measuring salinity, it is measuring density and density is affected by temperature! Better to invest in a refractometer especially with such a small tank where salinity can fluctuate so quickly!

Reneesparks · Apr 5, 2020

Bethany Yates said:
Hydrometers are hard because it is not really measuring salinity, it is measuring density and density is affected by temperature! Better to invest in a refractometer especially with such a small tank where salinity can fluctuate so quickly!

I

Trylobyte said:
For your salinity, you'll need to get your temp up. I usually heat my water to temp, remove the heater and then mix the salt for 20 minutes before adding the heater back in for the final 40 minutes of mixing (the reaction of the salt mixing can be hard on the heater seals). I use Instant Ocean, and about 1 1/8 cup gets me a salinity of 1.026 with 2 gallons of water (I use 4 gallons each time and 2 1/4 cups).

As for your hydrometer, when you are checking your salinity, are you placing it on a level surface and then flicking it a couple times to remove all the bubbles? They will seriously mess up your reading and sometimes I wouldn't even see them. As others have stated, I would definitely invest into a refractometer as its much more accurate and consistent on readings. Just make sure you are cleaning off the viewer with fresh water and using the clothe so you don't have left over salt effecting your reading.

EDIT:

Also in your pic, is that huge rock actually touching and leaning up against your glass? If it is I would definitely remove that piece, if you feel you really need it, to break it down (chisel, grinder, etc.) and place the smaller pieces in maybe like little islands around your center. Not only should you keep at least the distance of a "magfloat" or "algae pad" distance from the glass so you can clean, that just worries that heck outta me sitting against it

Th rock is in fact touching the glass, I was very careful when placing it to make sure the full weight is resting on the rock below it and not on the glass, but I can figure out another way to place it further on the rock. I have found a refractometer that I am going to order along with the calibrating fluid. I need to look further at bring my calcium and kh levels down. My phosphate and nitrate levels are where they should be, but I know that will spike when I get around to adding corals....