What's your salinity!??

[SaltwaterAdict]

This is often overlooked and you can have a miss reading if you're using a swing arm hydrometer. Sure some can be correct, but for the most part they're not. I used 3 different ones and they all were off. I would invest in a refractometer if you don't already have one. My reading was off 4 points when comparing a swing arm to my refractometer! That's huge because it could be up to 1.030 and I think it's at the correct accuracy at 1.025-1.026. It's always good to have something else to compare something too to make sure everything checks out. Just a heads up for people who were contemplating getting a refractometer and making sure their levels are as close to the oceans as possible. :thumbsup:

 

[Sandia97]

I have a question about my hydrometer..why does it have the "safe zone" as 1.020-1.023
when almost everyone on here has there salinity at 1.025? The LFS also told me to have mine at 1.021. Idk..I mean I'll the advice from RC members first and foremost but I was just wondering ...

 

[boostedirl]

I used to use a Swing Hydrometer, but got tired of the inaccuracy so I bought a Refractometer. I keep both my tanks at 1.025-1.026 and check my refractometer every other week with calibration solution.

 

[tozzi]

I used to use a Swing Hydrometer, but got tired of the inaccuracy so I bought a Refractometer. I keep both my tanks at 1.025-1.026 and check my refractometer every other week with calibration solution.

+1, make sure u calibrate the refractometer here n there otherwise your better off using the swing arm one. I keep my reef at 25-26. The barrier reef is 26 or 27 so i think thats evidence enough not to run at 21-24, its a little low. Plus with it a little higher, your skimmer will foam better. also being your adding more salt to get it higher, youll have more trace elements wich will benefit the reef.

 

[aznnutty]

the low end salinity is to be more economical with a fish only tank. alot of pet stores keep the salinity around 1.020-1.023. it's like the minimum you need to keep the fish alive and well.

 

[purplereef]

I run my tank at 35ppm salt. I find the other scale more readable on the refractor.

 

[jflick345]

the low end salinity is to be more economical with a fish only tank. alot of pet stores keep the salinity around 1.020-1.023. it's like the minimum you need to keep the fish alive and well.

+1 Much less salt consumption for the LFS and I've heard the lower salinity lessens disease in a FOWL tank. Invertebrates thrive better in the higher salinity that's more like the natural ocean.

 

[SaltwaterAdict]

I have a question about my hydrometer..why does it have the "safe zone" as 1.020-1.023
when almost everyone on here has there salinity at 1.025? The LFS also told me to have mine at 1.021. Idk..I mean I'll the advice from RC members first and foremost but I was just wondering ...

Typically, the lower salinity spectrum is for fish only tanks which is fine, but reef tanks do better off at a higher salinity 1.025-1.026 because your trying to match the oceans salinity which is in that range.

 

[wetshirt]

Another problem you can run into with a refractometer is residual salt build up in your sampling device. Same as a swing arm if you do not rinse it properly.

 

[roxbury003]

1.026 !!!

 

[Big E]

I run my tank at 35ppm salt. I find the other scale more readable on the refractor.

This is the easiest way to meausure.............use the ppt scale on the refractometer. Most refractometers are ACT, which means that it adjusts to temperature to give you an accurate reading in ppt.

What it's telling you is at 35ppt your specific gravity is 1.026 at 68 degrees, NOT what your salinity is at the temp of your tank. Specific gravity changes with temp & ppt doesn't.

Some of this can be splitting hairs, but simply, once you calibrate your hydrometer to your refractometer, just make sure when you are using your hydrometer you test water of the same temperatures. For example your makeup water should be the same temp as your tank to get a good reading.

Also, refractometers need to be occasionally re-calibrated using a calibration solution............not with RO or distilled water.

 

[purplereef]

This is the easiest way to meausure.............use the ppt scale on the refractometer. Most refractometers are ACT, which means that it adjusts to temperature to give you an accurate reading in ppt.

What it's telling you is at 35ppt your specific gravity is 1.026 at 68 degrees, NOT what your salinity is at the temp of your tank. Specific gravity changes with temp & ppt doesn't.

Some of this can be splitting hairs, but simply, once you calibrate your hydrometer to your refractometer, just make sure when you are using your hydrometer you test water of the same temperatures. For example your makeup water should be the same temp as your tank to get a good reading.

Also, refractometers need to be occasionally re-calibrated using a calibration solution............not with RO or distilled water.

Wow Ed I didn't know that about the temperature difference. I started using 35 ppt because this is where the Zeo guys would run there tanks.
I found out my refractor was off by .005 6 months ago when I recalibrated my refractometer and WOW did that make a difference in my animals.

 

[silverking]

i use my refractometer for ease three drops and your done.but i check with my 7 yr old IO swingarm and it is always dead on....maybe i got lucky and got a good one.