Cup vs. Cup, Interesting Information!

[asilefx]

So I have been trying to figure something out for the last week or two, and I've found the solution, finally.

I'm using instant ocean salt for my water, I read the instructions several times, it pretty much says 1/2 cup salt per gallon of water. So I mix up the salt and water, 1/2 cup per gallon, hmm my SG is really low. I mixed correctly but the reading is way too low. So I added more cups, getting better. By the time I got the SG right and making sure I let the IO dissolve for a day I was up to 3/4 cup a gallon. So I've been trying to figure out what the deal is.

I just bought a 35 gallon rubbermaid tub for water changes. I filled up the tub, to about 30 gallons. I go to grab my measuring cup, the one I've been using. Turns out I left it in the sink, kind of gross, so I have to find a new measuring cup. So I grab my nice metal pampered chef cup and something comes to mind. The old measuring cup I was using (the one that came with my rice cooker) looks smaller. At first I just think, well it's just taller it has to be the right size, right? At the time I thought I was rather stupid to question this, so to ease my brain I filled up the old measuring cup with water, and then dumped the water into the new measuring cup. Well that's strange I was right, the old measuring cup was about a 1/4 cup smaller.

That's just crazy, right? So now I start looking at all my measuring cups, turns out I don't have any one cup measuring cups that are the same. 1/4 more, 1/4 less, 1/8 more, 1/8 less. WHAT'S THE DEAL HERE?

I guess the point I'm trying to make is never trust a measuring cup, also, always use the same cup, and that way you won't run into the little problem I did. If you want to know what a real cup is, trust a good brand, and hey this might even help you with your cooking

Cheers!

[Matt Rogers]

Great post. That's good to know. And think about ... pays to have the right tools.

[Jason McKenzie]

Wow, Would have never guessed that. you Know I don't think I've ever read the instructions on the salt bucket. I've always just added salt to the correct SG. I use the same cup and now know that for 10G it's about 5 cups (My Cup LOL)

I'll keep this in mind if I ever use a different cup

J

[asilefx]

5 cups for 10 gallons sounds right, maybe you have a real cup.

I don't know how I got so screwed. I'm mean seriously they're all different.
Even the oz is wrong.

I think I'll go metric.

[Michaelr5]

I found a long time ago a nice plastic tumbler (I think it was Tupperware) that I have added calibrated markings in Gallons. If I want 5 gallons I put salt in the tumbler to the 5 gallon mark. I can make 5 to 20 gallons in 1 gallon increments.

Mike

[Diver_1298]

I have always added the salt, stirred, checked the s.g. and added water or more salt as needed ??

Jim

[dancin_trancy]

Wow, that is too crazy...think of all the terrible cooks out there, when it can all be blamed on bad quality control in the factory! I wanna go home right now and check all my measuring cups, and spoons for that matter....hehehe

I usually add the suggested amount per gallon to my water....mix...then adjust...as mine is always very low too, I also use Instant Ocean.....like the tumbler idea though....good one!

[asilefx]

I usually put in 2 cups less then directed, and then go from there. Much easier now that I have a correct cup.

IO seems to be bit off, plus its cloudy for days. Other than that it seems ok. Most major aquariums use it.

[Fish Fan]

That would explain my wifes cooking . I always weigh my salt so that no matter what the same amount of salt goes in to my water.

[asilefx]

Good thinking!