Go figure, Refractometer was off.

I just calibrated with pinpoint's 35 ppt solution and found my tank is at 1.022. At least its sorta constantly at 1.022 right? Fixing that this week lol

 

Oh thats not good. cant you just zero them out using rodi water?

 

You can, but the solution is a more accurate way to do it.

 

Not that big of a deal! My LFS has been selling me saltwater at SG @ 1.019 -- I called and told them what was happening, that I need to keep adding salt for some reason. They told me my Hydrometer was off and I needed to bring it to the store to compare. Well I did, still the same results - the eventually made the realiziation that their refractometer was way off - I'm surprised they didn't suffer any problems with their corals or fish.

 

I just went through this myself, to a lessor degree.

I've always calibrated my refracto at 0. I recently got some 35ppt solution as well, checked my refracto, and it read 37ppt. Since I've always targeted 35ppt, I was really maintaining my tank at 33ppt (~1.024). So not dangerously low, but something I'm now slowly correcting.

Moral: calibrate your refracto's using certified 35ppt solution.

 

95% of all refractometers are NaCl not NSW. Therefore zeroing with RODI will give you low readings.

 

Evolved what do you try keeping your Sg at? I usually aim for 1.025-1.026 but most places recommend 1.023-1.024

 

dang you guys make me wanna recheck mine lol

 

honestly I dont know why the dont sell refractometers with calibration fluid. most people use them for saltwater hobby I would imagine

 

that and making beer and wine i bought pinpoint fluid with mine.