high specific gravity

[skylord]

Whats very high? What are you using to test with? Do you know how long it has been high?

Scott

[salty-ron]

i think the salt content

[salty-ron]

was useing a hydrometer

[christyf5]

What is the reading on your hydrometer?

I would gradually bring the levels down by adding fresh water (ie water containing no salt). Do this over a period of a few days to a week depending on how high it is. Don't do it all at once or you may shock the tank and some stuff may die.

[Myka]

Skylord meant what is the actual salinity reading that you're calling 'high'?

First, use this link to calibrate your hydrometer. They are notoriously inaccurate. In fact, I have never used one that read correctly. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.php Then come back here and tell us what the actual reading is after you calibrate.

You should be adding plain unsalted RO water to top off the evaporation - water evaporates, but salt does not so the salinity will creep higher and higher as the water evaporates. You should top off at least once a day, but twice a day is better.

[salty-ron]

the top of the scale

[salty-ron]

i think the hydrometer is accurate its new. got some coarls today and tested the water with it and it read 1.022 took a reading of my tank and it was1.032

[christyf5]

I would just acclimate the corals to your tank water and get your water tested by someone with a refractometer before you make any major changes. Take your hydrometer along so you can see if it really is accurate or if it is off. That way you can still use it and adjust for its error if it is. I would get a refractometer if you can though, they're much more accurate.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by salty-ron

i think the hydrometer is accurate its new. got some coarls today and tested the water with it and it read 1.022 took a reading of my tank and it was1.032

Most hydrometers are inaccurate by 0.001 or more right out of the box. You should be aiming for 1.025-1.026. Set up some airline tubing with a little ball valve on one end, and set it to drip about 1-2 drops per second. Allow the corals to "drip acclimate" like this for an hour or so. Corals can handle a salinty change much better than fish. If your salinity truely is 1.032 then you should take about a week to slowly drop it to 1.026.

[skylord]

So about 43% or 1.032. First I would make sure the hydrometer is working. Try soaking it in water for a half hour(you could just drop it in the tank. Then take 3 readings about 15 minutes apart. If they are all the same then follow Christyf5s advice. If not the same or very close, take a sample to a friend or LFS and have them test it. Just make sure when you are testing that the swing arm isnt sticking.

Scott