Gravity on a swing arm

[makolonj]

So on my swing arm hydrometer, it says the acceptable range is between 1.02-1.023 (which is what I’ve been keeping it at), however I read on RC that gravity should be kept at 1.026. Should I raise my gravity? If 1.026 is the best, then why would my hydrometer say different? Thanks

Thought I'd post a pic of the tank for the hell or it...

 

[makolonj]

Sorry no pic for now i quess

 

[Andrew]

[welcome]

Your salt level now isn't going to harm anything, but overtime I would raise it. Say over a months period when you do a water change.

 

[bertoni]

I'd do a calibration of the swing-arm before anything else. This article should help:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.php

Then I'd raise the SG slowly to 1.026-1.027. Maybe 0.001 units every other day, by topping off with saltwater.

 

[amike5]

Salinity has a wide range of opinion. If you have corals, especially sps, then most go about 1.024 - 1.027. If it's a fish only, then most keep at the 1.020 - 1.023. There is also the cost of the additional salt to keep in mind, if you have corals in salt in the lower range you will have to dose more. The average natural sea water is around 1.026 - 1.027 I believe. I keep my reef around 1.025 - 1.026.