SALINITY TROUBLE

[zhonk]

I just set up the new aquarium, I filled it with 45 gallons of water and I have plugged in the heater the lights and the pump (the protein filter is still to go). I added 12 out of the 22.5 cups of salt necessary. The salt brand is oceanic salt mix. The salinity is off the charts, the hydromter is red sea. The temerpature is 77 farenhiet. I think I've listed all the factors that could affect this, could you guy's please give me a hint as to what is wrong?

Thanks ZHONK

[darkcirca]

I use the same salt and learned that using less than required to start with is always better. Start with 1/2 or 3/4 then add a little bit more until you reach the desired amount.
*edit* You used half, probably reading wrong/using it wrong.

[rsw686]

Make sure there are no air bubbles on the needle as this will make the reading high. Take a few readings to get the average specific gravity. The needle will go all the way to the top and then start to fall back down. Since you basically added only half the salt needed your reading should be way low. Mine took awhile to get used to using it. You basically want the water to slowly fill the hydrometer.

[Germanman]

ifit was me id switch to instant ocean reef crystals which is a better high quality sea salt, but thats just a suggestion. as for the hydrometer the red sea ones tend to be off most the time. i noticed that with the ones we used in my old work and the one i owned. i asked out sales rep once and he said he cant say much...but to switch to another brand...that was good enough for me along with the fact that the floating hydrometer showed 1.025 and the red sea showed 1.032. also u can use a refractometer as well for very precise readings.

[salty420]

My guess is air bubbles - took me a bit to figure that one out... After testing my sky high tank levels I checked my tap water and found it too to have SW tank salinity levels! Stumped for a minute I noticed the air bubbles on the needle, after tapping them off my levels became much more normal...

[zhonk]

Yeah I'm pretty sure it was the air bubbles, thanks.

[rockethippo]

I'd say air bubbles. I tested my salt and it was off the chart. Then I started drinking it. Then testing it again...

[rockethippo]

Err my tap water

[rayjay]

I had best luck with readings after I washed the hydrometer in white vinegar, followed by fresh water rinsing immediately after use in salt water.
I soak mine overnight in vinegar once a week.
As I believe was already mentioned, take 3 readings minimum to be sure you are getting a consitent reading.
I don't have a link for it, but there has been a lot of discussion about the accuracy of the refractometers, with some of the cheaper ones especially being suspect.
I remember reading that some refractometers being sold for the hobby were initially designed for reading something else, perhaps for a brew.
Anyway, the point I want to make is to research well before making a purchase of a refractometer. A good one, properly calibrated is an excellent tool.