how do you check your salinity

fridaibarria

fridaibarria

New member
i have googled it and i get several results but i went to one of the shops i go to buy coral at and had them tested for me. The owner told me to buy this green tool that's like 150...
 
I just use a cheap floating glass hydrometer to test my salinity. I think I payed $7.99 or so at the LFS. No problem.
 
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i got one of those when i first got my tank... i couldn't figure out how to use it properly... the guy who sold it to me told me to leave it in the fish tank and just check on it. i returned it and got test strips and thats what i've been using so far, but not the api!!! i think its terra or something like that
 
Glass hydrometers and even the plastic ones you find at some retailers will give you a result, but they can be difficult to read and the accuracy is simply not present. The only way to guarantee accuracy is to use a refractometer that is regularly calibrated. This is a must have if you plan on keeping most corals, especially SPS.
 
I use a plastic swing arm. I think a lot of people have trouble because they don't prime the needle. Every now and then I double check it against our fancy glass floater that is for brewing beer (when husband isn't looking). It hasn't been wrong yet, or if it is the glass one is too ;) but I've only been doing it a few months so yknow
 
I initially used a hydrometer, however, this led to some "issues" with some fishes and now I am a little more zealous in my methods and have started using a refractometer. I did quite a bit of research, and for me is chose the vee gee scientific st3. I use it often and love its accuracy and easy readability.

Hope this helps.
 
I spent like $35 on a refractometer online. The 35 ppt solution is key. I calibrate every time. Sometimes it doesn't need calibration for weeks and other times I need to adjust a few times over a couple weeks. Works fine and didn't break the bank.
 
FWIW my parents used to use a floating glass hydrometer back in the late 70's early 80's on their tank as well. Here it is 2015 and I can find the exact same thing at the exact same store from back in the day. (Randy's Fish Palace) This just goes to show that these things do in fact work, quite well actually. I don't know how good your vision is, but that sure as hell looks like 1.026 to me. Perfect!

Good luck, one way or the other. :)

 
Refractometer is a good and reliable way to test. I also have the float arm hydrometer and the glass floater as back ups. They all work well.
 
any specific brands i should look into with a refractometer? I'm sure they all work the same, but any favorites?

LOL at tasting the water, im sure any water with salt will make me cringe so any results would be very inaccurate(;
 
+1 for Refractometer! Any brand from any of the notable online stores are great. Bulkreefsupply.com, marinedepot.com, drsfoster, and even amazon. I got mine from amazon for 25 dollars and works amazing. Ditched my old hydrometer and only use my refractometer now. Super easy...if you buy one from amazon make sure to buy an ATC refractometer that's in our salinity range, because they sell refractometers that are for beer and foods and stuff. The range should be from like 1.010-1.040 give or take...which we want it to be at 1.023-1.026. I keep my salinity at 1.025-1.026
Anyways hope that helps
 
My refractometer brand is Sybon. I've had it for 4 years and I wipe it off every use, it has never failed me. I have no complaints.
 
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