Salt test

[tropills]

Quick favor from all of you using either Instant Ocean or Reef crystals salt, This test won't take long and is small enough that you can just dump it in your tank after.

Measure 2 Quarts RO/DI
Measure a 1/4 cup salt
bring temp to 76 degrees
post results and the type of device used to test.

Reason for this is I'm having a hard time getting a accurate test # with my lab grade glass hydrometer and refractometer. one is reading higher then the other.
Thanks Greg

 

[Gravesj1s]

Bump.

Anyone else going to try this?

I use reef crystals ,I'll let you know what I get tonight.

 

[Hiltonc57]

Just ran a test and got 1.026

Water source is a BRS 5 stage plus RO/DI system (0 TDS)
Instant Ocean Reef Crystals (1/4 cup into 2qts)
Water temp at 76.7
and i used a RHS-10ATC Refractometer (± 0.001)

 

[tropills]

Thanks Hilton,

anyone else do this ??

 

[tropills]

Bumping this, come on guys it's a 10 minute test....

 

[redrider911]

I will be making some water with rc tomorrow

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Greg:

Greg:

how do you float a lab grade hydrometer in two quarts of water... ?

 

[tropills]

how do you float a lab grade hydrometer in two quarts of water... ?

I don't, I mixed the solution then poured it into a 500ml graduated cylinder..

 

[tropills]

For those of you that don't have access to a graduated cylinder, you can use anything that will float the entire hydrometer, like a 2 liter soda bottle with the top spout cut off.

Also, you DON'T need to use the entire 2 quarts to test the results with a floating hydrometer, you only need to use enough to float it in..

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

ahh..... !

ahh..... !

I've needed a graduated cylinder for many years.

 

[Gravesj1s]

Sorry I didnt get back to you I realize it is a simple test.Ive been spending to much time between my tank and trying to learn photography (yeah for the tank lol)

Gonna try your test now.Brb. *Free bump*

 

[Gravesj1s]

Hmmm, any chance your refractometer is reading high?

I did the test ,I used a standard kitchen measureing cup and another for measureing the water I figured 8cups for the 2 quarts.
mixed just the water to aerate it well,brought temp to 76.2 and added 1/4 cup salt.
Mixed until it was clear.
Recalibrated my refractometer RHS-10atc against a a standard commercial index of 35ppt
It maybe user error here but Im getting slightly over 40ppt.I did find it a little challenging on how much salt it would take to get to the 1/4 cup mark,seams if you tap the bottom to level it may take alittle more salt as it compacts more.

I gota try this again.

 

[tropills]

Your measure of water is fine, just scoop the salt out of the bag or pail and scrape it flat with the top of Your measuring cup.. don't compact it down. Just a loose scoop and make it level..

 

[Gravesj1s]

Just finished redoing your test.Although I dont have a seperate 1/4measureing cup ,I used a 2 cup thats has indicator lines for 1/4 ,1/3 ectt.

Made up new Ro water last night and followed the same protocol as first post I got 1.028 SG.

Best I can do. Anyone else going to try this?

 

[tropills]

Think your in the ballpark even without the exact measuring cup size.. thanks for trying it.

 

[Gravesj1s]

Welcome,mind if I ask though what yours was coming in at?

 

[tropills]

Lol, I guess I can say my results now.. I first calibrated my refractometer with calibration fluid to 1.026 then tested my salt mix sample, got a reading of 1.031.. I knew that was wrong. I tested the same mix sample with my lab grade hydrometer and got 1.026.. bumped my next salt mix test to 5 gallons ro/di and 3 cups salt and re-tested .. again I got 1.031 with refractometer and 1.026 with hydrometer ..all information I've read on salt to water ratios say with the quantities I've used should be 1.026.. I was just trying to see if I had a bad batch of calibration fluid.. guess I do , but I now know that if I mix a test sample of salt mix my salinity reading will be at a range I can adjust my refractometer too.