Salinity

Hi,

I have a 65 gallon salt water tank with live rocks. I just set up and started cycling the tank last night. I tested my salinity levels this morning, and the readings vary in different areas of the tank. I have hydrometer and the readings show as low as 1.024 and as high as 1.027 (oh no!). I thought the water would settle and mix over night and there should be consistency throughout the tank. I have been running my filter (AquaClear power filer 110) and two Hydro Koralia circulation and wave pumps (rate flow of 600 gph for one and 750 gph for the other) since I set the tank up. Is it normal to get varied readings? Also, is doing a partial water change the only way that I can reduce the 1.027 into "safe range"?

Thanks so much!

 

If you're using a floating glass hydrometer, flow affects the readings; you need to get a tall glass of your water for testing. If it's a swing-arm type, I'd toss it. It's just physically impossible for such a small body of water to have varied salinity readings, and especially where there is current.

 

The water should be the same salinity throughout the tank. I would not do any water changes or anything to change the salinity. I would instead highly recommend getting yourself an auto temp correcting refractometer and 35ppt calibration solution.

 

Thank you for your replies. It is a swing arm reader. I will try to buy a new reader today. Boy, does the cost of this add up!

 

oh yes it does! welcome to the obsession

 

A refractometer is a must have item.

 

I used a floating arm hydrometer for two years before getting my refractometer, will never go back. I took care of my hydrometer, so it was fairly close to my refractometer reading, about .0005 off.

Check out BRS right now, they have a refractometer as a door buster from Black Friday. Pretty good deal.

Refractometer for reading salinity w/ Free Calibration fluid - Bulk Reef Supply