hydrometer

[SkeletalUnion]

Im aware there less accurate but could use some help. Set up aquarium last night, tried measuring sp using hydrometer but its reading zero what am i doing wrong?

 

[Stevarino]

Did you put any salt in the water yet? If you haven't done this then there's really nothing to measure.

 

[SkeletalUnion]

Yeah set it up witb dry rock added salt, turned on powerhead heater filters etc primed hyrdometer with saltwater prior and nothing unless ita busted or im stupid.

 

[ryan_ferguson25]

I'm as rookie as rookie gets but I bought a refractometer...mixed my first batch of salt yesterday and it was golden.

Easy as pie to use.

 

[SkeletalUnion]

Yeh thought hrydo was but refractometer would have cost x3 as much and i dont plan on any livestock for months yet.

 

[ryan_ferguson25]

Def not cheap!

I just figured over the long haul refract was the way to go.

 

[dyazdani]

Maybe try jiggling the arm on the hydrometer to see if it is simply stuck. I 2nd the advice to get a refractometer. Yes, they cost more up front, but will save you in the long run, especially when you have living things in your tank.

 

[Stevarino]

If you do get a refractometer just make sure you use it correctly. People seem to think that once they get one of these things they're golden, but this isn't the case unfortunately. There are plenty of false readings out there due to human error.

What kind of hydrometer are you using btw? Those floating glass hydrometers have been known to be very accurate.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Hydrometers all have some error rate, but that error rate never changes. So take your hydrometer to somebody you trust with a good refractometer and calibration fluid. Have them calibrate their refractometer and then test their saltwater. Say it comes up 1.026, OK.

Now test the water with your hydrometer and lets say it comes up 1.024, OK.

Now put a label on your hydrometer that says "ADD 0.002". Now your hydrometer is calibrated as well and it will not change over time. I have 2 and for more than 6 years now they have had the exact same error rate every year when I test them against my refractometer (which is just a pain to use).

 

[SkeletalUnion]

Havent got aquarist friends, the dial isnt stuck but doesnt even move with water in it, its a kent hyrdometer.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

How much salt mix did you add to how many gallons of water? ALso what brand of salt mix are you using

 

[billdogg]

Hydrometers all have some error rate, but that error rate never changes. So take your hydrometer to somebody you trust with a good refractometer and calibration fluid. Have them calibrate their refractometer and then test their saltwater. Say it comes up 1.026, OK.

Now test the water with your hydrometer and lets say it comes up 1.024, OK.

Now put a label on your hydrometer that says "ADD 0.002". Now your hydrometer is calibrated as well and it will not change over time. I have 2 and for more than 6 years now they have had the exact same error rate every year when I test them against my refractometer (which is just a pain to use).

What Ron said. I have a pair of hydrometers dating to the mid 1980's. One reads .01 high, the other .02 low. Neither has changed.

I do fine it easier to use a refractometer however.

How much salt mix did you add to how many gallons of water? ALso what brand of salt mix are you using

And ^^^What he asked^^^

 

[Nickmcc]

Return it and get a new one.

 

[jem454]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005ES6MOQ/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Just received this today, and is dead on with my calibration fluid.

 

[Xxero]

I started to say.....average Refractometers are like 20 bucks.

 

[fishchef]

I'm sorry what's sp?

 

[mariahcolleen]

I got my refractometer online for like $25. Not really a huge amount of money considering the hobby. I'm a total penny pincher but I think splurging on the refractometer was worth it.