Extremely low salinity Updated!!!

bigmac · #1 12-16-2009, 01:01 AM

So after second guessing all of my results thus far; I went out and purchased some distilled water to start over (thinking that the calibration fluid was somehow compromised).
Long story short; I recalibrated with distilled and lo and behold my salinity level was perfectly fine where it was.
Now looking at the calibration fluid directions (on the bottle) and the pamphlet directions (that came with the refractometer); they differ quite a bit. Ultimately this boils down to me not properly learning how to use new equipment before adjusting my methods.

So now; my salinity is too high (murphy's law) at 1.035. I've moved my ATO float switch higher so that it adds more water and brings it back down to respectful levels. The moral of this story.......sometimes keeping status quo and not touching anything is the best method.

Zoaelite · #2 12-16-2009, 01:28 AM

Calibration fluid? I was told just to use distilled water right off the bat, only thing is I used RO/DI water so I have a feeling my calibration might be off. Well what ever happened my corals are now happier than before (No more closed up zoas and angry acans) so I have a feeling that it was a step in the right direction. Bigmac are your corals showing any stress?
Levi

Myka · #3 12-16-2009, 02:38 AM

You're actually supposed to use calibration fluid instead of distilled or RO/DI water. You should use a fluid that is close to the salinity you are measuring (as with any calibration fluid). I use Pinpoint Salinity which is 35 ppt (~1.026). Works very well.

Zoaelite · #4 12-16-2009, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

You're actually supposed to use calibration fluid instead of distilled or RO/DI water. You should use a fluid that is close to the salinity you are measuring (as with any calibration fluid). I use Pinpoint Salinity which is 35 ppt (~1.026). Works very well.

Wait I'm confused, I thought you used distilled water as a 1.000 gradient (Which set the scale) and then that was the comparison to your salt water. Ahah watch my salinity is actually at 1.015 oh dear crash here I come.

Edit* Just checked my instruction pamphlet (On a Vertex Refractometer) and it says to use distilled water, what type of meter do you use myka?
Levi

#5 12-16-2009, 03:43 AM

mine uses distilled water also and I believe most do I have checked out quite a few Refractometers. Mine came with distilled water measures to 1.000 gradient also. I have checked freskly mixed satlwater and some that has been mixed for a week or 2 wating to be used.

Bill

bigmac · #6 12-16-2009, 03:26 PM

The problem I encountered was that the paper instructions said to use distilled water for calibration; yet the calibration fluid had different directions on the bottle (which i didn't fully read until it was too late).
Distilled water = calibrate to 1.000
Calibration fluid = calibrate to 35 ppt (or 1.026)

So I used the fluid and calibrated it to 1.000 instead of 1.026 (35 ppt); and threw my readings out of whack.

I was worried about the fluid because when it arrived (via UPS) it was frozen; therefore i wasn't sure if it could be trusted for accuracy.

So far the corals seem okay. I just my readings again and it has gone from 1.035 to 1.033 overnight; so slowly but surely its going back down (due to raising my ATO float switch). Another water change later today (with approx. 1.020 water) should help.