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Advice on salinity and testers

Supra97

Supra97

I test my salinity with a swing arm. I keep it at 1.025.5. I also own a refractometer, tank water reads 30ppt, calibrated with 35ppt solution. The reason I went back to swing arm was on my previous tank i used the refractometer and I had a mini crash. Lost some sps. I don't know if it was from raising salinity or not. Everything in tank is growing with lots of polyp extension. So my question is, if it's not broke don't fix it and stay with swing arm?
Thanks kurtis
 
Supra97

Supra97

downbeach said:
That's about a SG of 1.020. Since NSW is 1.024-1.026, I'd raise it and use the calibrated refractometer to measure it with. Keep in mind that along with a higher SG you will also get more Ca, Mg and Alk, so less dosing would be required.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php
Click to expand...

Good link, I have it bookmarked. So you think I should go with refractometer even if every thing seems to be doing well? Good pe and descent growth. I'm just wondering if I raise I can get better growth?
Thanks
Kurtis
 
Supra97

Supra97

Also if somebody has a reliable refractometer with a thriving sps tank in Camden co area, I would love to check against mine, I could probably hook up with a frag of something.
Thanks
Kurtis
 
Zippy69

Zippy69

Hands down a properly calibrated refractometer. The swing arm will stiffen over time and a strong tap may be needed. This does not translate to accuracy. Now with a properly calibrated refractometer, light bending in relation to different densities will yield consistent results. I keep my sg at 1.026 and sps, Lps, and fish are all thriving.
 
downbeach

downbeach

I'm in Mt. Laurel, you're welcome to bring a sample here for testing/comparison. Are you using a 35ppt calibration solution? If you're using RO water, it may not be accurate a 35ppt, you should use a solution that will calibrate at the level of the sample you intend to test.
 
Supra97

Supra97

downbeach said:
I'm in Mt. Laurel, you're welcome to bring a sample here for testing/comparison. Are you using a 35ppt calibration solution? If you're using RO water, it may not be accurate a 35ppt, you should use a solution that will calibrate at the level of the sample you intend to test.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer. Yes I'm using 35 calibrating fluid. What's your availability? Rain day for me today
Thanks
Kurtis
 
G

greg 45

I dont trust the refractometer
always needs cleaning recalibrating

I switched over to old school hydrometer and flask

salinity all over the place using refractometer always second guesing testing or matching with someone elses
Pain in the well you know
 
Supra97

Supra97

Went to Jim's (downbeach) checked my water and refractometer, apparently everything looks good ( must be operator error) scored some frags also. Just to say thanks to Jim again for helping me out.
Kurtis
 
downbeach

downbeach

Supra97 said:
Went to Jim's (downbeach) checked my water and refractometer, apparently everything looks good ( must be operator error) scored some frags also. Just to say thanks to Jim again for helping me out.
Kurtis
Click to expand...

You're welcome, it was nice meeting you.
 
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