Salinity level???

[kcurton]

I have a fish/reef 46 gallon saltwater aquarium. What salinity level should my hydrometer read? Right now mine reads 1.20. Is that to low?

Thank You!

 

[msuzuki126]

The specific gravity should be around 1.025.

 

[kcurton]

Thank you! I thought the salt level was to low.

 

[PatrickJ]

1.023-1.024 shoot for that I believe 1.025 is too high. Once water evaporates, it will shoot up higher and higher. Give yourself a little room to evaporate.

Also, you really cannot depend on a hydrometer. You should calibrate your hydrometer according to a refractormeter, which is a much more accurate device to measure salinity.

Hydrometers will tell you the same reading everytime, but could be as much as + or - .008 off of the actual reading.

You should recalibrate the hydrometer and the refractormeter often.

 

[mikeatjac]

!.025 - 1.026 is great for a reef tank. More natural and your skimmer will run better.

 

[jman77]

1.025 - 1.026 for reef tanks .... and don't trust the hydrometer they are pretty off some times ...

 

[vanmo92]

1.026 is a good levle. I would only trus a hydrometer if:

1. it was properly seasoned.
2. you rinse it well with warm water emidiatly after use.
3. every few weeks you fill it with vinigar-water and let it sit overnight.

 

[kcurton]

Thank you everyone. I have a lot to learn! Great advise, I'll use it! I added more salt today. I'm at 1.023 right now. I hope thats not going to go up to much! I'm going to check on the refractometer tomorrow. This is the first time I've ever heard of one.

Thanks again!

 

[affan]

You can get a nice Refractometer from Premium Aquatics for about 46 dollars.

 

[easye123]

hey get this guy... its cheap and very reliable.. after i got it my hydrometer was 1.022 and the refrac. wa 1.026 big difference!!

i highly advice u to get this guy!!

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=9957&N=2004+113761

comes with a case too!!

 

[kcurton]

I definately will! Thanks

 

[Xerious]

1.025, and add a little water every day. This will keep your levels the same.

 

[Amphiprion]

1.026-1.027. For most invertebrates, slightly higher salinity is still better than slightly lower salinity.