salinity levels

[SassyAngel111]

What would cause the salinity levels to jump from 1.026 to 1.030 I'm using a ATC refectometer.

Tank is a 56gl column, running a Eshopps RS-100 sump, Eshopps overflow box PF800, skimmer Eshopps S-120, powerhead Rossmont Mover M1200

Water tests as follows:
PH = 8.2 Red sea test
KH = 9.3 Alk = 3.30 Salifert test
NO2 = 0 Red sea
No3 = 0 red sea
NH3 = 0 red sea
PO4 = 0 red sea
Ca = 450 salifert
Mag = 1500 Nyos test

Fish load:
2 chromis
2 firefish
1 reef safe flasher wrasse
1 stary blenny
about a dozen snails (I know not enough for CUC)
1 emerald crab

top off is just RO/DI WATER

Thanks for any and all in put

 

[FortyFour]

Malfunctioning ATO + evaporation
Malfunctioning refractometer

 

[SassyAngel111]

I guess I'll take the refractormeter in to have it calibrated

 

[slief]

I guess I'll take the refractormeter in to have it calibrated

Are you using calibration solution? You should be using 53000ms 1.026 solution and that solution and meter should be close to water temperature or warmer room tmerature at the very least when you calibrate. You can also use distilled water (Not DI water or tap water) but you are best calibrating with caligration solution for best accuracy.

 

[shifty51008]

This isnt a redsea refractometer is it?

 

[Buzz1329]

this isnt a redsea refractometer is it?

+1

 

[Buzz1329]

Are you using calibration solution? You should be using 53000ms 1.026 solution and that solution and meter should be close to water temperature or warmer room tmerature at the very least when you calibrate. You can also use distilled water (Not DI water or tap water) but you are best calibrating with caligration solution for best accuracy.

Did not Randy decree (Book I, Chapter 3, Verse 6:56) that you should not attempt to calibrate refractometer with 0 ppt water?

Mike

 

[slief]

Did not Randy decree (Book I, Chapter 3, Verse 6:56) that you should not attempt to calibrate refractometer with 0 ppt water?

Mike

Like I said, 53000ms 1.026 calibration solution is best. That said, distilled water at tank temp with a refractometer at room temp will calibrate pretty close when you verify with 1.026. Ive found it to be within .001 when I've cross checked. Interestingly though, calibrating with 1.026 will usually read dead on 0 ppt with distilled water. Tap water and RODI water will not be anywhere near close to accurate if used for calibration and can be as much as .004 at the high levels we target.

 

[SassyAngel111]

This isnt a redsea refractometer is it?

no this is a ATC refrctometer

I found the instruction sheet for it and it says to use distilled water, so I guess it off to the store in a bit to get some distilled water.

 

[downbeach]

no this is a ATC refrctometer

I found the instruction sheet for it and it says to use distilled water, so I guess it off to the store in a bit to get some distilled water.

You should be using a solution that has a refractive index that is close to the sample you will be testing, not the plain water. So, get a solution that is rated @ 35ppt, like this one.

 

[Darth_Tater]

I had this same thing happen when the seasons changed. Had stable salinity for a long time, then boom, 1.03-something. I then realized that when it got cold outside my room temp dropped 10 degrees and checked the refractometer calibration and it was way off.

 

[SassyAngel111]

Thank you both I will just order the solution to test the meter with.

 

[Dundermifflin]

Need proper solution to propery calibrate. One rated 35 ppt. Also, make sure you are topping off consistently and staying at the same level. If not this will throw it off as well.

 

[Buzz1329]

Like I said, 53000ms 1.026 calibration solution is best. That said, distilled water at tank temp with a refractometer at room temp will calibrate pretty close when you verify with 1.026. Ive found it to be within .001 when I've cross checked. Interestingly though, calibrating with 1.026 will usually read dead on 0 ppt with distilled water. Tap water and RODI water will not be anywhere near close to accurate if used for calibration and can be as much as .004 at the high levels we target.

Interesting. Thanks for the explanation.

Mike

 

[SassyAngel111]

Dundermifflin, did not think about the level in the tank it was down about a gl.