Salt problems...

No problem.....it sounds like you do. There are three types (that I know of). The swing-arm, the type that float in the water (and break often) and the refractometer (which every aquarist should have)......no I don't have one yet.

And seriously, there is no such thing as a duh question. Best to make sure and not, as my mother says, "screw the pooch".

 

Ok so with the swing arm type my reading is about 1.022 or 1.023, and that is at about 80 degrees so your saying my actual reading is around .020 or .021?
Just trying to the get the most basic thing down first.

 

Well, this is the one I have and I dont need to adjust for temp.
Coralife Deep Six Hydrometer, Hydrometers > Water Testing > Aquarium

It is built into the readings. I also have a floating one tht reads the same as this one. I have not found any other info on adding or subtrating temp to get a reading. Maybe it was that way on older models or something.

 

Ok well good to know, I read some reviews and I think I agree with them about it being pretty all over the place. Could being high or low .002 do some damage?
Do most people use the plastic ones or get better ones?

 

Kanook, if you can swing it by the refractometer now, think about the most important thing that you have in the fish tank.....water. It took me ten years to buy one and I have know excuse for it. I'm sure many problems would have been avoided. You can find them on sale for 40-50 dollars on drfostersmith.com.

As to you flakes, it sounds like you didn't declorintate the water before adding the salt. At least you'll get that type of reaction if you don't declorinate first.

 

You can get the same refractometer (the one from DrsFosterSmith.com for $41.99 plus shipping) for $31.50 (shipping included) from eBay. That's a brand new one, not used.

 

Thank you guys very much I think I will be ordering it tomorrow. And ya I didn't declorintate the water before had, I just added the chemicals at the same time as the salt in to the water.

 

Get the refractometer off of eBay. Cheapest place you can find it. $30 well spent.