Hydrometer help!!!

[Alexnyc22]

I'm setting up a 57 gallon tank and I'm adding salt to it as we speak... Every time I check it with my hydrometer I keep getting a different reading and I can't figure out why... Help

 

[lnevo]

Because thats what hydrometers do...go get a refractometer and save yourself the headaches.

The trick with hydrometer is to fill it slowly or bubbles will wreak havoc on the swing arm

 

[Alexnyc22]

I've done that a few times ... First reading 1.019, second reading 1.024, 3rd reading 1.018... Makes no sense

 

[Alexnyc22]

It's a coralife deep six hydrometer

 

[Clink51]

How long are you waiting between tests?

 

[Alexnyc22]

How long are you waiting between tests?

A few minutes... i put the salt in last night and let it dissolve over night and im trying to get the readings now... This may seem dumb but this is my first time using a hydrometer, could i possibly be using it wrong?

 

[albano]

Do you have a powerhead in the tank to mix the salt?

 

[Alexnyc22]

Do you have a powerhead in the tank to mix the salt?

yes i do

 

[albano]

Do you see any air bubbles on the swing arm when you fill it?

 

[Alexnyc22]

None at all

In that order

 

[Jhoehlein]

See that little black line that runs across the top of the hydrometer? The water level needs to be at that line to get an accurate reading. In your first and second picture your water line is too high, in the third it's too low. Fill the hydrometer slowly, knock the side of it firmly with a knife or any other solid object to knock the bubbles off the needle, then pour water out of it little by little to bring the water line to that black line. That will give you your correct reading, or as correct as you can get with a hydrometer.

If people sound preachy telling you to get a refractometer it's because they are leaps and bounds more accurate than a hydrometer, and far less prone to issues like the one you're having.

 

[Alexnyc22]

I didn't think a drop more would make that much of a difference

 

[albano]

In all 3 pics...there looks like a bubble right by the black line on the swing arm... it's hard to tell if all the other bubbles are on the inside or outside

 

[Alexnyc22]

I made sure there were no bubbles... More salt right?

 

[albano]

I made sure there were no bubbles... More salt right?

Test again (with no bubbles) if it's 1.018 again, then I would add salt, slowly, with retesting to make sure that the salinity is going up.

 

[Alexnyc22]

I've added salt and I get the same 1.018... Driving me nuts lol

 

[Nandez13]

Invest in a refractometer. They're not that expensive and will save you a ton of headaches. You're just filling up your tank and you're having these issues, imagine having to rely on this down the line to maintain consistent SG.

If you post in the WTB forum, I'm sure someone will have a spare one that they can sell to you at a discount. Keep in mind how detrimental salinity swings can be to your livestock.

 

[Alexnyc22]

Invest in a refractometer. They're not that expensive and will save you a ton of headaches. You're just filling up your tank and you're having these issues, imagine having to rely on this down the line to maintain consistent SG.

If you post in the WTB forum, I'm sure someone will have a spare one that they can sell to you at a discount. Keep in mind how detrimental salinity swings can be to your livestock.

Whats the WTB forum? sorry im still not familiar with the layout of the forum

 

[lnevo]

Want to Buy.

You mentioned before that one drop cant make a difference...well your dealing with a very non precise instrument so the more precise you can be the better. It all does make a difference. The only reason stores sell hydrometers is so that you come back to buy a refractometer...

 

[cmantis]

Also is the water still heating because that will change your readings.