Amonia rising... What gives?

[ickypimp]

couple of points...

The LFS probably sold poly filter as it chelated ammonia (amongst other things...


when you guys are talking about specific gravity are you talking about adjusted or non adjusted SG ??

Depending on the manufacturer of your Hydrometer it will be calibrated to a specific temperature, for example my laboroatory grade hydrometer is calibrated to pure water at 60 f (15.5 C)

a change of 10 degrees changes sg by 0.001

the specific gravity of natural seawater (S =35) is 1.0278 using the 3.98 °C standard, 1.0269 using the 60 °F standard, 1.0266 using the 20 °C standard, and 1.0264 using the 77 °F standard.

So unless you are all correcting for tempand know what standard your hydrometer is calibrated to then you are all way off anyhow

try this online too for correction (if you know what standard your hydrometer is calibrated to)

http://www.fermsoft.com/hydroCorrect.html

another point to remember the partial pressure of oxygen is an inverse function of SG (the higher the salt the lower the gas capacity)

 

[Anonymous]

So unless you are all correcting for tempand know what standard your hydrometer is calibrated to then you are all way off anyhow

Which is why I use, and suggested he get, a refractometer which compensates for that.

 

[ChrisRD]

Even if you know the calibration temp and correct for it, hobby grade hydrometers can be pretty inaccurate.

Considering the reasonable prices they're offered for these days, IMO a refractometer is well worth it.

Personally, I would verify the accuracy of any hobby grade hydrometer with a calibration solution, or against a calibrated refractometer before I trusted it.

 

[ickypimp]

I hear what you are saying about refractometers... i guess that as a professional biologist i am used to having the best quality of stuff around me..

I use a glass hydrometer, 1.000 to 1.100 calibrated at 60f however it is a NAMAS certifiacted one that was "donated" by my lab and probably cost more than a refractometer

 

[mike90]

i got my refractometer on ebay. only about $40. well worth the money and it works great! a must for any reefer. this seller has more also. just click on view sellers other items

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 7530243294

 

[MyMonkey]

Great. Thanks. I will add some slightly salty water on topof today. I wish one of my three books would have mentioned that about the SG. :? Thank goodnes for this forum.

 

[MyMonkey]

UPDATE: This morning I tested the water. Amonia Near 0, Nitrites0, Nitrates 0. WOOHOO!!! I held back on feedings to every other day to help. I think the Bio SPira helped as well though. SG came to 1.022ish on my Hydrometer. But the LFS read it at 1.026 on their Swing arm Hydrometer. I hate these Hydrometer things by the way. I am ordering the refractometer, thanks for the link. I am taking some water to another LFS to have them test the SG just to be certain before adding FW or SW to raise or lower the levels. I started skimming again. The Bio SPira said don't skim for 48 hours. I presume it's safe/smart to skim again. The AquaC Remora is finally kicking in and getting more quiet as time goes by. Thanks for everyone's input.