pabloescolar Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 Hey all, I transferred my 12g nano into a different 12g nano with a 17g sump/fuge on Saturday, but to my total disbelief my salinity has not changed - at all. Every day for three days, it's registering at 1.024, every time. I've got an ATO I need to set up but I've been waiting for the system to stabilize so I can place it when things have hit a predictable point. The sump seems to have lost some water to evaporation but my salinity isn't changing. Anyone know how this could happen? I did add a few new frags from the swap on Saturday evening, and threw some healthy chaeto in the new sump. Edit: No skimmer either Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 What are you testing with? I would get a second method / verification of what you're testing. I actually lost my first SW tank due to 2 faulty hydrometers. Had my salinity all the way up to something like 1.038. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pabloescolar Posted October 19, 2015 Author Share Posted October 19, 2015 Just a Coralife hydrometer. I leave it filled with freshwater after every use to prevent salt build up but that's good advice. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 hydrometers are not very precise when compared to a refractometer. go with a refractometer and calibrate it before each use for best results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pabloescolar Posted October 19, 2015 Author Share Posted October 19, 2015 If anyone has a rec on preferred brand for reliability or an extra to sell post away. I'd rather not crash this tank out of the gate (or, ever) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 I lost about $1000 worth of corals on a faulty hydrometer. Not worth it! Go get a refractometer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 If you want to bring some water to me or Ty, we can test it for you. definitely a good investment for a refractometer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jolt Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 If anyone has a rec on preferred brand for reliability or an extra to sell post away. I'd rather not crash this tank out of the gate (or, ever) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I've been very happy with my Vee Gee STX-3 got it from Amazon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pabloescolar Posted October 20, 2015 Author Share Posted October 20, 2015 Thanks for the input everybody. At $100 I think I'll take Juiceman up on his offer in the immediate. My list of things to buy just keeps getting longer no matter how much money I've spent ;-) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 I still use a cheap marine depot one. They're about $40 new, but I occasionally see them in BST forum for $20 - $25 or so. Also, good idea to use 1.026 calibration fluid instead of RO/distilled when possible. Not a big deal for just a quick check but if you want good accuracy, calibrating to the approximate level you are measuring is way more accurate than calibrating to zero. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mFrame Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 I still use a cheap marine depot one. They're about $40 new, but I occasionally see them in BST forum for $20 - $25 or so. Also, good idea to use 1.026 calibration fluid instead of RO/distilled when possible. Not a big deal for just a quick check but if you want good accuracy, calibrating to the approximate level you are measuring is way more accurate than calibrating to zero. +1 I use the Marine Depot one as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+brian.srock Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 Ty saved my stuff and converted me over to a digital hydometer. Best investment I made to date. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pabloescolar Posted October 20, 2015 Author Share Posted October 20, 2015 I'm going to meet up with Juiceman tomorrow over lunch for an emergency mobile test and I'll be ordering a refractometer. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 Tested out at 1.024 digital and manual..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pabloescolar Posted October 20, 2015 Author Share Posted October 20, 2015 Just went by River City Aquatics for a third check JIC.....all params perfect and salinity registered between 1.024 and 1.025 every time......lol. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pabloescolar Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 Check in: I am potentially leaving for New Orleans tomorrow for about five days. I had intended to have my ATO set up at this point and to have my roommate handle a couple feedings while I was gone, but she is not familiar enough with this stuff to understand this salinity mystery. Can I trade on time, cash or other value to have someone check in on the tank while I'm gone? I'll gladly return the favor in the future, or compensate in another way that works for you. Salinity is STILL registering 1.024 even though the evap line keeps dropping. I'm about to go to AquaDome for another outside test. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pabloescolar Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 Aquadome registered 1.025. The lady I talked to said that this isn't really unusual at all, that her 40 doesn't change salinity much at all over the two weeks between water changes.......but she also seemed real annoyed that I was even talking to her. ¯_(ツ)_/¯ I guess maybe my expectations for salinity changes from going to 12 to 29 system gallons need to reset. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckyuv Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 How often do y'all check salinity? I have a hydrometer that I maby bust out once a year when I get bored. How does the salinity change that much? I thought it was a set and forget type thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryD Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 How often do y'all check salinity? I have a hydrometer that I maby bust out once a year when I get bored. How does the salinity change that much? I thought it was a set and forget type thing. The salt does not evaporate with the water so if you are topping off by hand and don't get it to exactly the same night you can have slow changes ontop of the swings caused by the evaporation. Two part will also raise salinity over time. I checked mine atleast once a month typically once a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reburn Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 The biggest error for your system is going to be water change water. If you are buying water from a local fish store you should make sure that the salinity matches your target salinity for your tank with a refractometer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jynxgirl Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 Have an ATC refractometer from amazon. Works great. I think was 25$. If you can pick one up in warehouse deals... even better I use the hydrometer only to make sure WC water is the same between tank and the new water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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