Hydrometer

Parker · #1 10-25-2005, 01:51 AM

What do you have to do to get a decent reading out of these things?

I have a 29 that I set up 24 hr's ago and still every reading I take is different. Taken from the left it's low, taken from the right side of the tank it's good.. Take another reading it's higher..

It's Instant Ocean hydrometer..

The tank is free of inhabitants, well except for the live rock..will possible salinity issues cause the live rock to die off?

WWWD · #2 10-25-2005, 02:14 AM

throw it away its a piece of junk. you need to get a refracometer.

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s..._ID=t-cprefact

very accurate.

Parker · #3 10-25-2005, 02:43 AM

I'll have to look in to getting one of those. What about my ther question regarding hurting the live rock?

WWWD · #4 10-25-2005, 02:49 AM

how high is the high size of the readings? it probably isn’t that big of a deal. i would make sure you are getting good circulation around the tank with a powerhead.

maybe someone on the board will let you calibrate your hydrometer with a refractometer and you can see where you stand. don’t be surprised if its out by 4 or 5 points!

KrazyKuch · #5 10-25-2005, 03:01 AM

How old is the hydrometer??? I know when I first bought mine it was like that...You just need to break it in...Also make sure that you wash it out with fresh water after every reading.

Parker · #6 10-25-2005, 04:01 AM

The hydrometer is as old as this set-up.. little more then 24 hours now.

The high side of the reading fell between 1.025 & 1.026

I have decent flow..right around 350 GPH

WWWD · #7 10-25-2005, 04:40 AM

025 - 026 is what your shooting for so that sounds good.

Chad · #8 10-25-2005, 05:20 AM

I think with those instant oceans you are suppose to fill it with a pure water to kinda, calibrate it or something. If you check the packaging it mentions this.

If it is not done, you can get inaccurate readings.

Gools · #9 10-25-2005, 11:33 AM

I have one, works great the trick was to calibrate it with a refractormeter. Found out it's off by 3, every 3 months I recheck it with my buddy's refrac. always off by 3. One day when I get extra $$ I'll be getting one.

andresont · #10 10-25-2005, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parker

What do you have to do to get a decent reading out of these things?

I have a 29 that I set up 24 hr's ago and still every reading I take is different. Taken from the left it's low, taken from the right side of the tank it's good.. Take another reading it's higher..

It's Instant Ocean hydrometer..

The tank is free of inhabitants, well except for the live rock..will possible salinity issues cause the live rock to die off?

How about this salinity monitor , plug and forget , instant readings , never chage the probe . Better quality IMO
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s...uct_ID=pp-msal
I will sell it for $109