Reef Salt

[homer1475]

I would agree with the glass hydrometer( learned to use one when making soda), but they are often times hard to read, and highly breakable. So a refractometer is the second best choice IMO, definitely better then the plastic swing arm hydrometer.

 

[timnem70]

You do not need to be doing water changes during the cycle. This is going to slow down or halt the biological processes that need to occur. Using a fish and shrimp in a cycle is not the best of practices. It is pretty cruel. In the future, now you know. In regards to raising the salt, I would make sure you have a refractometer like stated above. Then, I would test the water with that. Mix up some 1.025 salt water with your reef crystals. And top off your tank with that water until you reach the desired level. You should be at 1.025 within a couple days, and won't harm the inhabitants at all.

100%

Galaxy S7 Edge

 

[timnem70]

You should be calibrating with a solution that is closer to what your trying to measure(even though most directions with refractometers say to calibrate to 0 with RO/DI). There is a reason they sell calibration fluid. Your calibrating with water that is no where near pure(RO/DI) which more then likely is throwing off your readings.

You do realize most bottled water uses municipal water sources and not RO/DI water? It would be like trying to calibrate your refractometer with your tap water.

Also 100%. IMO it makes it so much easier to be sure when using Calibration fluid. Others have used RODI for years and also get accuracy but as stated above, there's a reason they make calibration fluid. Your refractometer should not go out of wack every day either. That would almost certainly tell me the water your using to get your calibration numbers varies. Do not do water changes during the cycling process. Be patient and have fun. Let us know how it's going.


Galaxy S7 Edge

 

[homer1475]

Also 100%. IMO it makes it so much easier to be sure when using Calibration fluid. Others have used RODI for years and also get accuracy but as stated above, there's a reason they make calibration fluid. Your refractometer should not go out of wack every day either. That would almost certainly tell me the water your using to get your calibration numbers varies. Do not do water changes during the cycling process. Be patient and have fun. Let us know how it's going.


Galaxy S7 Edge

Actually I've seen quite a few posts about the red sea refractometer and its inability to hold a calibration.

 

[boxerbill77]

I will not comment on the Fractometer . my opinion on them are much different then many .. Glass Hydrometer.... Glass Hydrometer..

As far as salt mixes.. It seems that some of the more expensive brands need to be mixed and used withing x amount of time. often a hour or so.
I use a mix of IA IA-RC And Kent Marine.. Kent Marine is My Salt of Choice. its crystals are much finer it does not clump in the bags or leave residue in my 55 gallon mixing tanks... I will make 100 gallons at a time and use it up over time.. Sometimes i do this twice a month.. I always let it mix for at least 24 hours before i use it right after i make salt.. when im using pre mixed salt i will turn on the pump about 10 minutes before i need to move it to one of the tanks or pond... I do it all automated with valves.or it would be a lot of buckets...

thank you, and I will try this.. mix it at like 1.035 give or take?

Is this the glass hydrometer youre speaking of?

https://www.amazon.com/UP-Glass-sal...d=1486490141&sr=1-4&keywords=glass+hydrometer
To get your salinity up... Mix some high concentrated salt water in a gallon jug with ro/water Pour a small amount into your tank say 12 oz. and check salinity . Do this each day until you reach your target... Since you have a uncycled tank you should be ok to do this ..

 

[boxerbill77]

I will not comment on the Fractometer . my opinion on them are much different then many .. Glass Hydrometer.... Glass Hydrometer..

As far as salt mixes.. It seems that some of the more expensive brands need to be mixed and used withing x amount of time. often a hour or so.
I use a mix of IA IA-RC And Kent Marine.. Kent Marine is My Salt of Choice. its crystals are much finer it does not clump in the bags or leave residue in my 55 gallon mixing tanks... I will make 100 gallons at a time and use it up over time.. Sometimes i do this twice a month.. I always let it mix for at least 24 hours before i use it right after i make salt.. when im using pre mixed salt i will turn on the pump about 10 minutes before i need to move it to one of the tanks or pond... I do it all automated with valves.or it would be a lot of buckets...



thank you, and I will try this.. mix it at like 1.035 give or take?

Is this the glass hydrometer youre speaking of?

https://www.amazon.com/UP-Glass-salt...***+hydrometer
To get your salinity up... Mix some high concentrated salt water in a gallon jug with ro/water Pour a small amount into your tank say 12 oz. and check salinity . Do this each day until you reach your target... Since you have a uncycled tank you should be ok to do this ..
To get your salinity up... Mix some high concentrated salt water in a gallon jug with ro/water Pour a small amount into your tank say 12 oz. and check salinity . Do this each day until you reach your target... Since you have a uncycled tank you should be ok to do this ..

 

[boxerbill77]

im sorry for double posting guys but im trying to quote ericarenee and for some reason its not allowing me too..

 

[homer1475]

You did quote her, twice! lol

Anyways, yes thats a glass hydrometer she speaks of. No calibration needed, just drop it in and read where the water level is.

 

[Scurvy Dawg]

I splurged and bought the Milwaukee digital refractometer and have not looked back. Best $100 I've spent in this hobby.

 

[air2mag]

I also bought the digital unit. Since I am just starting out the $100 didn't seem like that much compared to all the other equipment. At least I know it will get used a lot. It sure is nice to use.

 

[hartin461]

+1 on the digital^^^

 

[ReefsandGeeks]

I just wanted to add a comment to NOT mix up a high salt mix in order to increase salinity. At the higher concentrations, things start to precipitate out of the water that will not re-dissolve, leaving your water chemistry out of wack before you even put it in the tank. If you need to increase salinity, just let evaporation do it's job and replace with normal saltwater strength.

Also, adding more salt will always increase your salinity reading. I think I saw a comment earlier in the thread that you were adding salt but not getting a change in yoru readings. If this is happening, you need to check your refractometer or whatever you're using.

Also I'd like to add that I have mixed up a big batch of IO water and tested the salinity after mixing for 10 minutes or so, and again a few hours later once the water was all cleared up and gave a couple points difference once the water was clear. The reason IMO for waiting to add the mixed water is to make sure everything is fully dissolved, as well as letting the pH stabilize with aeration.