Check your equipment

[gjh289]

For the past year I have been having nothing but problems with my set up. Fish, crabs and Coraline algae having been doing great but every coral just melted away. I tested and retested all of my parameters over and over and even had the LFS test as well. Every time it was tested I was always told everything is great. Obviously not since everything seems to die with the exception of fish. To make a long story short (1+ year in the making) my refractometer was broken and way off. Every time I tested my water it showed 1.025 HOWEVER the actual was found to be 1.011. Thanks to Fintastic Aquariums in Jensen Beach, Fl they found the issue and it was resolved. Not sure how it happened especially since I calibrated it not to long ago. After going nuts for over a year and just days away from breaking down and selling everything I think I'm finally on the right track. Do yourselves a favor and double check all your equipment and testing supplies and avoid the stress I went through.

 

[mscarpena]

How did you calibrate it?? You say you calibrated it recently, but this has been happening for over a year??

 

[gjh289]

How did you calibrate it?? You say you calibrated it recently, but this has been happening for over a year??

I have the calibration solution and screw driver that came with it, but not sure if it went bad or something with the refractor broke. I doubt the refractor broke since I stored it in a case that has never been dropped. I'm not sure how the refractor can be so off. I ordered a new one tonight so I will periodically compare the two.