Hydrometer readings!

[Prip17]

I have a SeaTest hydrometer, can someone please tell me what the reading of the saltwater should be asap?

Thanks a lot :D

[RazerCorals]

GO 30ppm or 1.023 specific gravity.

[Prip17]

thanks so much!

Mine reads between 1.021 and 1.023 is that ok, because i have live rock in there?? My Lfs said between 1.017 and 1.019, but the salt said 1.020 and 1.023 so i got confused. Thanks for the quick reply. :D

[RazerCorals]

The LFS is wrong o!!! That would be very very vey bad for the at 1.017. I say 1.023 because hydrometers are often off +or - .002. So tha would put you at 1.021 or 1.025 which is safe. Ideally salt should be kept at 1.025, but you would only want to set it there if you were sure it was 1.025.

[Prip17]

Is 1.022 ok though??

tHnaks

[RazerCorals]

Yeps

[Prip17]

Thanks very much!! :D :D :D :D

[Suryc]

is the Seatest hydrometer tempature depended? if so where can I find a chart to show me the variances?

[Fishmonger]

All hydrometers are temperature dependant, the only way to mesure salinity that isn't is a refractomemter.

Do you really think a reef tank should be kept at 30 ppm, i keep mine at 35ppm, thats just because thats what the reef would be like in the wild, is they're any benefits to that salinity ?

[steve1s]

Salinity is more a benefit to invertebrates than fish. Inverts will tend to be much more productive and healthier in higher 1.023-1.025 SG levels. You can read the whole nasty bit >>here (http://www.wetwebmedia.com/spg_salinity.htm)<<. You can also read about the natural reef salinities and temps from actual reefs >>here (http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1997/nov/features/1/default.asp)<<

If using a swing hydrometer no matter the manufacturer, you need the "offset" the temp variance when measuring specific gravity as opposed to salinity with a proper refractometer. >>Here (http://www.aquasite.com/knowledge/calculator/specific_gravity.shtml)<< is a good reference.

Cheers
Steve

[Travis]

:shock: according to that my salinity is at 1.0274...

[steve1s]

What reading is your hydrometer showing and what temp?

Cheers
Steve

[Travis]

I keep it at 1.025 at 80deg or so.

[Fishmonger]

Ok i just read them, they're pretty good articles, what do you keep you're salintity at steve, and others with successfull reefs i'd like to hear from too ?

[steve1s]

I keep mine just shy of 1.026 @ 79°. The actual hydrometer reads 1.024

One of these days I'll stop being so cheap and actually buy a refractometer... :P

Cheers
Steve

[Fishmonger]

Yeah thats what i keep mine at too a steady 1.026 or 35 ppt , i got spoiled using a refractometer in the lab all summer, now i'm stuck using the swinging arm (box hydrometer), i'd also do all my water quality on my reef tank at work with the lamotte colorimeter, boy do i miss that.

[steve1s]

i'd also do all my water quality on my reef tank at work with the lamotte colorimeter, boy do i miss that.

Spoiled!! :? LOL

Cheers
Steve

[Fishmonger]

Oh yeah, the funny thing is that they bought a new one by lamotte, a newer one probably allmost exactly the same for like 3000$ and the old one is just sitting there, never being used... its only like 2 or 3 years old too