Just a warning (or kindly advice) for any newbies like myself. I started my saltwater hobby last spring. I pretty much bought the best, or most expensive, of everything. I assumed since I bought "the best" I wouldn't need to double check my tests. I won't say what hydrometer I bought but let's just assume it was the best since it was expensive.
I noticed a few months ago that it wasn't holding it's calibration. When I used the calibrating solution it was usually only a hair off so I assumed I had some leeway even if it was off a little. Hubby went to Petco the other day so I asked him to pick me up one of those cheap little plastic jobs just so I would have a back up.
My expensive, top of the line hydrometer said my salinity was at 1.022. My cheap plastic job said I was at 1.028!!! I knew it was off but not by that much. So I went back and bought an even cheaper one.... the bobbing glass one with the thermometer. 1.027. I've been working for the past two days to slowly lower the salinity. Thank God I didn't lose anything but I've seen drastic changes in the behavior of my fish and inverts.
Word to the wise. Always have a back up test.... even if it's a dirt cheap test.
I noticed a few months ago that it wasn't holding it's calibration. When I used the calibrating solution it was usually only a hair off so I assumed I had some leeway even if it was off a little. Hubby went to Petco the other day so I asked him to pick me up one of those cheap little plastic jobs just so I would have a back up.
My expensive, top of the line hydrometer said my salinity was at 1.022. My cheap plastic job said I was at 1.028!!! I knew it was off but not by that much. So I went back and bought an even cheaper one.... the bobbing glass one with the thermometer. 1.027. I've been working for the past two days to slowly lower the salinity. Thank God I didn't lose anything but I've seen drastic changes in the behavior of my fish and inverts.
Word to the wise. Always have a back up test.... even if it's a dirt cheap test.
