LFS purchase...

[RTKBA308]

I just bought home a Lawnmower Blenny that I'm acclimating. I wanted to check the salinity of the water in the bag, using my refractometer, it's 1.017. I keep my tank water at 1.024.

 

[Scuba_Steve]

Could mean one of 2 things...... Either they are using a swing arm, and it has air bubbles on it, or your refract is way off, and you are the problem. Just to cover your bases, did you calibrate properly? The randy holmes farley method? If so, you might want to take it into the lfs and show them the wonders of refractometers. Ive seen plenty of lfs that have no clue what one is........... Kinda sad if you ask me............. Odds are, they are the problem, even if you just calibrated with RO/DI, thats would be awful far off.

 

[RTKBA308]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9545993#post9545993 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scuba_steve1
Could mean one of 2 things...... Either they are using a swing arm, and it has air bubbles on it, or your refract is way off, and you are the problem. Just to cover your bases, did you calibrate properly? The randy holmes farley method? If so, you might want to take it into the lfs and show them the wonders of refractometers. Ive seen plenty of lfs that have no clue what one is........... Kinda sad if you ask me............. Odds are, they are the problem, even if you just calibrated with RO/DI, thats would be awful far off.

I just calibrated according to refract. directions.

 

[grneyes3x]

one of my lfs keep a lower reading because they keep the fish in a fish only tank,so the salinity is kept at a lower reading

 

[Scuba_Steve]

Just as a suggestion, use this method instead. The manufacturer directions have flaws that can cause errors, Randy Holmes Farley is the reef chemistry god around here, well he just retired from rc so I guess hes not around anymore. Regardless, he is definitely knows his stuff, and I trust any article he writes.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.htm

 

[jmait769]

Usually the LFS keep there salinity low supposedly to reduce ick, reduce stress and some say to save money on salt! You will want to use the drip method which will slowly raise the salinity to your tank specifications. Here is a good <a href="http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/general.cfm?general_pagesid=19" target="_blank">Acclimation Procedure / Guidelines</a> from Live Aquaria.

Good luck!

Jay

 

[cristhiam]

My LFS practice this too, it might not be your refractometer. Just acclimate slowly and should be fine.

 

[RTKBA308]

Cool, thanks for the tips and links. He seems fine in the bag. About another 30 minutes I'll tank him.

 

[jmait769]

Great! Hope he does well! Here is a picture of ours. He is quite the character and loves to sit on this green toadstool!

Jay

 

[syrinx]

1.017 is pretty much industry standard for pet shops and wholesalers- for fish. Use slow drip acclimation and avoid getting the fish`s water in the tank as it possibly has copper and whatnot in there also.