high specific gravity

Myka · #1 01-14-2008, 02:14 AM

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 · #2 01-14-2008, 02:15 AM

the top of the scale

salty-ron · #3 01-14-2008, 02:23 AM

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 · #4 01-14-2008, 02:26 AM

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 · #5 01-14-2008, 02:29 AM

Quote:

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.

KrazyKuch · #6 01-14-2008, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

Most hydrometers are inaccurate by 1.001 or more right out of the box.

Are you sure that they are out that much, because if thats true then he doesn't even really have salt water...just kinda salty water....Or water that is so salty that it's probably a tank of damp salt!

I think what you meant to say was that they are usually out by .001

Myka · #7 01-14-2008, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrazyKuch

Are you sure that they are out that much, because if thats true then he doesn't even really have salt water...just kinda salty water....Or water that is so salty that it's probably a tank of damp salt!

I think what you meant to say was that they are usually out by .001

HAHAHAHA!!! Yep I meant 0.001. I'm too used to typing the first "1".

skylord · #8 01-14-2008, 02:31 AM

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

skylord · #9 01-14-2008, 02:39 AM

Wow.. a lot of posts real fast. Im about 30 min from PoMo.....Im bored. If you want to meet somewhere I will bring my refrac and we can test your water.

Scott

VFX · #10 01-14-2008, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skylord

Wow.. a lot of posts real fast. Im about 30 min from PoMo.....Im bored. If you want to meet somewhere I will bring my refrac and we can test your water.

Scott

Wow, people on this board are such nice guys!

Always willing to help!

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