Salinity Issue

[Cjx0r]

Hello,

I've just started a new 40gal salt water tank that I got from a friend who wasn't using it, along with most of his equipment.

I don't want to get too into it, but almost a week ago I purchased API Aquarium Salt (the cheapest you can get) and added the recommended amount to my tank, along with 5 extra gals worth. I did all of this blind, and did not have hydrometers or a refractometer at the time. Also, full disclosure, this salt was not mixed into the water and was just literally added straight to the tank.

Today I acquired 2x Instant Ocean Hydrometers. I rinsed them thoroughly, and soaked them in hot water for the past few hours.

The problem is, seemingly no matter how much salt I keep adding to this tank, the readings on both hydrometers are around 1.002-1.008. I thought the hydro meters were broken, but when I added a small bottle mixed with the same type of salt and tested that, it showed accurate readings.

No matter what, it keeps saying my tank water is around that range and as much as I add salt, it just seemingly doesn't change. I'm now mixing a small amount of water with salt to create a concentration of sorts, and then dosing that to the tank.

The water flow is generated by a Hydro Nano 260gph powerhead and there's also a hang on filter rated to a 60 gal tank that's moving it as well. He also included another much larger powerhead, but it's missing the suction cup, so I didn't add it to the tank. This powerhead could possibly be placed somewhere temporarily to aid in flow if needed.

The temperature is 80F, PH is between 7.8-8.0 (color was tricky to pinpoint), and the water is tap water with a conditioner. Please let me know if you need any more information.

Thank you

 

[Brieninsac]

I don't think a hydrometer is very accurate. If you don't have a refractometer take a sample to your LFS.

 

[cloak]

You might want to let the water mix a couple hours before you take another reading. Also, once the hydrometer is full of water set it aside for about five minutes or so. During this time take a chopstick or something and give the needle a few nudges. This will remove any bubbles that might be attached to it.

 

[Lilly45nano]

Are you sure that you added the correct amount of salt? Read the directions again....Are you sure you bought the correct salt???? I don't see a mix that API sells for a salt water aquarium....they do sell salt for fresh water applications ?

If in fact the label says you can use the salt ...I would turn off the filters and mover the power head half way down the tank....you can add the other also by putting it into the corner of the tank. Give this a couple of days to dissolve the salt into the water column.

Do yourself a favor and buy two 5g buckets from your local hardware store. Use one to mix your salt in from now on. You can use the xtra power head to aerate and dissolve the salt while you do a WC with the other

 

[Cjx0r]

I don't think a hydrometer is very accurate. If you don't have a refractometer take a sample to your LFS.

I would if I had $40 to shell out on one. Trying to make these hydrometers work for the time being. Especially with no livestock in the tank at this stage. I'll take it to the LFS as a last resort tho.

You might want to let the water mix a couple hours before you take another reading. Also, once the hydrometer is full of water set it aside for about five minutes or so. During this time take a chopstick or something and give the needle a few nudges. This will remove any bubbles that might be attached to it.

Okay, I tried letting it sit for 5-10mins but it didn't seem to move any. I'll let the tank water keep mixing and let future samples sit for a few minutes as you advised.

Do yourself a favor and buy a 5g bucket from your local hardware store to mix your salt in from now on. You can use the xtra power head to aerate and dissolve the salt before a WC

Okay. I actually have a 5 gal bucket and I just setup what you recommended. I used the recommended amount of salt as the packing says and it's mixing currently. The power head is pretty big, I'd imagine close to if not over 500gph but there's no real brand names or anything on it. A few numbers.

Thank you three for the great advice.

 

[gone fishin]

If you are using API aquarium salt then I am pretty confident you're using a fresh water product and will not get to the proper salinity.

 

[Cjx0r]

If you are using API aquarium salt then I am pretty confident you're using a fresh water product and will not get to the proper salinity.

Bingo, should I change out the water completely when adding the correct salt or keep what I have?

 

[gone fishin]

Bingo, should I change out the water completely when adding the correct salt or keep what I have?

personally I would change it out and start over. I don't know what all the API stuff will do in a marine tank. It may do nothing then on the other hand it could mess things up. Better safe than sorry in my book.

BTW instant ocean is a fairly cheap marine salt. I have used it for quite awhile.

Forgot to mention there is a good sticky called setting up at the top of the forum. Look for the big red arrow, you may find it useful.

 

[Cjx0r]

Ok, ill do 100% water change now

 

[DSREEFER]

Not to discourage you, but if you're worried about the cost of salt and a refractometer, this may not be the right hobby for you.

 

[MichelleMas]

Not to discourage you, but if you're worried about the cost of salt and a refractometer, this may not be the right hobby for you.

+1 Not to discourage but this is a money sucking hobby, maybe you want to stop and think about this before you go any further.

 

[CarrieB]

IMO, free reef tanks are like free horses. Too expensive.

Read the startup stickies before you spend any more money. If you don't have money to throw away then you need to be smarter about how you spend it.

 

[Cjx0r]

I have money for the hobby, I just don't intend to spend on things I think I might need versus things I do need.

Since cycling, curing, and the like take weeks if not longer, I wanted to set this tank up 1 stage at a time. I'm on the mixing and cycling stage now and just happened to get the wrong salt. I wasn't going to run out and buy a refractometer the first time I thought the hydrometer wasn't working, and good thing I didn't cause they turned out to be working.

I'm not being cheap or frugal with this tank, I'm just making informed decisions. That $40 I saved buying an unnecessary refractometer can now go towards the next thing I need to buy.

I wasted over $20,000 in my youth on impulse purchases; I don't intend to make the same mistake again. The tank or equipment weren't free either, just cheap.

 

[Ausfester]

Hey mate,

I'm new too, but one thing I have learnt is you'll want a refractometer.
Everytime I mix red sea salt with rodi, even when I measure to the gram the salinity is way out.
I generally need another kg on what they recommend. Hydrometers not accurate enough and it's a easy way to kill everything you got.

I have money for the hobby, I just don't intend to spend on things I think I might need versus things I do need.

Since cycling, curing, and the like take weeks if not longer, I wanted to set this tank up 1 stage at a time. I'm on the mixing and cycling stage now and just happened to get the wrong salt. I wasn't going to run out and buy a refractometer the first time I thought the hydrometer wasn't working, and good thing I didn't cause they turned out to be working.

I'm not being cheap or frugal with this tank, I'm just making informed decisions. That $40 I saved buying an unnecessary refractometer can now go towards the next thing I need to buy.

I wasted over $20,000 in my youth on impulse purchases; I don't intend to make the same mistake again. The tank or equipment weren't free either, just cheap.

 

[nvladik]

Hey mate,

I'm new too, but one thing I have learnt is you'll want a refractometer.
Everytime I mix red sea salt with rodi, even when I measure to the gram the salinity is way out.
I generally need another kg on what they recommend. Hydrometers not accurate enough and it's a easy way to kill everything you got.

I totally agree. I started on your path, but then started investing into right equipment.

Just want to add your 2 hydrometers are very close in price to a refractometer on Amazon/eBay, or used ones on the forum. And you should only need 1.

 

[homer1475]

I have money for the hobby, I just don't intend to spend on things I think I might need versus things I do need.

Since cycling, curing, and the like take weeks if not longer, I wanted to set this tank up 1 stage at a time. I'm on the mixing and cycling stage now and just happened to get the wrong salt. I wasn't going to run out and buy a refractometer the first time I thought the hydrometer wasn't working, and good thing I didn't cause they turned out to be working.

I'm not being cheap or frugal with this tank, I'm just making informed decisions. That $40 I saved buying an unnecessary refractometer can now go towards the next thing I need to buy.

I wasted over $20,000 in my youth on impulse purchases; I don't intend to make the same mistake again. The tank or equipment weren't free either, just cheap.

Ok so you come here for help, then its offered, and you reject it. Why even bother asking for help?

FYI a refractometer, even a decent one, can be had for 20$ and are far superior then a swing arm hydrometer. You say you don't want to waste money on things you THINK you wont need, you already wasted money by buying 2 hydrometers. What you payed for those 2 hydrometers you could have easily payed for a refractometer. If you think your making an informed desicion with a hydrometer instead of a refractometer, your already starting off wrong and will not last long in this hobby.

 

[Cjx0r]

Ok so you come here for help, then its offered, and you reject it. Why even bother asking for help?

FYI a refractometer, even a decent one, can be had for 20$ and are far superior then a swing arm hydrometer. You say you don't want to waste money on things you THINK you wont need, you already wasted money by buying 2 hydrometers. What you payed for those 2 hydrometers you could have easily payed for a refractometer. If you think your making an informed desicion with a hydrometer instead of a refractometer, your already starting off wrong and will not last long in this hobby.

I must have missed the part where I was rejecting advice. Just went through the 1st page and no, looks like I'm accepting advice there, I even thanked people and told them I was going to try out specifically what they said. Kinda seems like accepting advice to me.

If you're gonna sit here and try to berate me for wanting to wait and see before running out and making a purchase, you probably shouldn't be posting in the "new to hobby" forum, it comes off as unnecessarily rude.

I didn't buy 2 refractometers, he gave me 2 refractometers.

I understand you all spent a good deal of money on your tanks and setups, and I never said at the end of the day I won't be putting as much if not more into mine, just not all at once. I'm buying what I need, as I need it. To sit there and try to tell someone who just started that "no hydrometers are crap, you HAVE to buy a refractometer or get out of these forums" is just one of the rudest ways to offer an opinion. I haven't even been on these forums for 24hrs and already I'm being told "get out of the hobby if you're not willing to run out and buy anything we tell you to the moment we say it"

 

[homer1475]

Today I acquired 2x Instant Ocean Hydrometers. I rinsed them thoroughly, and soaked them in hot water for the past few hours

Sorry if I misread, but acquiring to me means buying.

I would if I had $40 to shell out on one. Trying to make these hydrometers work for the time being.

Rejected advice.

I must have missed the part where I was rejecting advice. Just went through the 1st page and no, looks like I'm accepting advice there, I even thanked people and told them I was going to try out specifically what they said. Kinda seems like accepting advice to me.

If you're gonna sit here and try to berate me for wanting to wait and see before running out and making a purchase, you probably shouldn't be posting in the "new to hobby" forum, it comes off as unnecessarily rude.

I didn't buy 2 refractometers, he gave me 2 refractometers.

I understand you all spent a good deal of money on your tanks and setups, and I never said at the end of the day I won't be putting as much if not more into mine, just not all at once. I'm buying what I need, as I need it. To sit there and try to tell someone who just started that "no hydrometers are crap, you HAVE to buy a refractometer or get out of these forums" is just one of the rudest ways to offer an opinion. I haven't even been on these forums for 24hrs and already I'm being told "get out of the hobby if you're not willing to run out and buy anything we tell you to the moment we say it"

I'm not berating anyone, just giving the hard advice most people won't give. Some people don't understand unless your harsh with them. Sorry if my post was a little more harsh then it needs to be.

No one told you to get out of the hobby, but if your not willing to spend a little $$ to get things going in the right direction, then your not going to have a good time in this hobby. We see it all the time, get off on the wrong foot, advice is given which typically involves spending money, person doesn't want to spend the money, gets out of the hobby when things continue to go wrong. While certain things can and have been done cheaply, some things are worth splurging for. Unfortunately this hobby is not one for frugal people.

Again no hard feeling, and my post wasn't meant to be as harsh as it sounded.

 

[MichelleMas]

I understand where you are coming from. Why spend money where you don't need to when there are plenty of things you will need to spend on. If you are happy with your hydrometers then continue to use them. (I have to add my 2 cents, the refractometer is work buying $23 on amazon)

Anyways, at least you got to the bottom of why your salt levels weren't where they needed to be.

Can I ask what your plan is for water? I used conditioned tap water to start cycling and even considered it for continuing the hobby but last week I pulled a copy of my local water report and quickly changed my mind.

 

[Cjx0r]

Sorry if I misread, but acquiring to me means buying.



Rejected advice.



I'm not berating anyone, just giving the hard advice most people won't give. Some people don't understand unless your harsh with them. Sorry if my post was a little more harsh then it needs to be.

No one told you to get out of the hobby, but if your not willing to spend a little $$ to get things going in the right direction, then your not going to have a good time in this hobby. We see it all the time, get off on the wrong foot, advice is given which typically involves spending money, person doesn't want to spend the money, gets out of the hobby when things continue to go wrong. While certain things can and have been done cheaply, some things are worth splurging for. Unfortunately this hobby is not one for frugal people.

Again no hard feeling, and my post wasn't meant to be as harsh as it sounded.

I acquired it because I'm getting this equipment from him in stages. I told him I had the rock cured, placed, and added the sand, he says "okay now you'll need to add the water, come grab this meter that you'll need to test it" which I did, and purchased salt (the wrong one) on my way home and tried it all out.

I don't see how "Trying to make these hydrometers work for the time being." is rejecting advice. Let me rephrase it I guess.

"Let me see if what I have works before considering it a bust and purchasing a replacement. It might just be error somewhere else." Which is DID turn out to be.

I've know all along refractometers are more accurate. There's tons of information in this hobby that states moving parts in salt water hobby will become less reliable/accurate as they build up salt and calcium deposits, as well as general ware on the moving parts themselves.

I'm just not going to come at my friend and say "hey yeah, I know you have years of experience doing this, but everyone on these forums say these suck so I'm going to reject YOUR advice (a close friend for years) and go off what a few people online told me." He gave them to me, said they would work, and I'm gonna respect him and at least try it.

I don't understand why hydrometers would be considered "not got going in the right direction". They sell these things for a reason and I don't think it's because they're fantastic paperweights. Let's just wait a bit is all I'm saying, I never said I won't, but I did say I won't buy one the 1st time it APPEARS that the equipment I have now has failed. I'm not the person to run out and throw money at a potential issue in a panic to turn it into a non-issue. On top of that, it'd be extremely disrespectful and ungrateful for me to accept advice from a friend and then throw it away entirely because for a short period I was under the impression it wasn't good advice.

I don't have any livestock in this tank, and I'm also not in a rush to make it go anywhere anytime soon. When I first looked into this hobby, one of the aspects I appreciated was that things happen in this hobby over a long period of time and slowly. I thought this was a perfect way to introduce a weekly hobby that I could invest in as the hobby itself progressed naturally. I personally like going out and buying things as I need them, even if it does involve multiple seemingly tedious trips; I like to move. I only have 1 reef store in my city and I honestly love visiting it.

I have no hard feelings as well. I've just seen and heard a lot of people contradict other people in this hobby so I'd rather get multiple opinions, then factor those into my own observations and data and from there make a decision.