TheGr8Blade Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 I have a quick question that I am hoping someone can answer. I decided for Christmas I was going to start a marine nanotank. I bought a few items during a boxing day sale at the LFS. Today I purchased an instant ocean hydrometer by marineland. I tested the water for salinity/gravity, as it has been running (empty) for 2 days. The first test I did, the water salinity was off the charts. I removed some of the water and added new water. Waited an hour and the test was the same. Got frustrated and tested a minute later and it was lower. Called my husband over and tested again and it was high again. I cannot figure out what I am doing wrong. I rinced the hydrometer out. Tested again and it was in the red but low. Tested again right away (without rinsing) and it was high. PLEASE help me ... I am a noob to all of this. Tried figuring it out myself and got no where. If someone can write it out in simple stupid for me it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albert_dao Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 Dont' fill it in through the top. Submerse the hydrometer slowly and allow the unit to fill from the hole in the bottom. That way, you won't get air bubbles trapped on the needle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyL Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 once you've filled the hydrometer, set it on the counter, then give it a few flicks to knock the airbubbles off. Then when you get sick of having to do that - aquaria.ca's online store sells a reasonably priced (50ish$) refractometer. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albert_dao Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 WHAT NOW ANDY? I BEAT YOU TO THE CHASE. GO HOME NOOB! U = L00Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyL Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 albert_dao Posted: Jan 2 2006, 09:23 PMÂ AndyL Posted: Jan 2 2006, 09:24 PMÂ Aww c'mon albert, you're a professional at this, your post should have been at least 5 minutes faster than mine... Are you saying some damn rednecks almost as fast as you to the punch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albert_dao Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 Pfft, as if. That was just an artifact of poor internet data logging. I was actually half an hour earlier than you. And plz remain relevant n00b. Fact still remains that you lost and I love fat chix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish_Dave_Ab Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 I am a redneck ......... I am going to have a redneck tank complete with newspaper background and an alternator and starter sitting in the gravel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyL Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 (edited) and I love fat chix. Should I hook you up with my ex? -roll- <edited for dave's sake> Edited January 3, 2006 by AndyL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish_Dave_Ab Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 Is your ex a redneck? If so as long as she has at least one front tooth (this is handy for opening beer bottles) Please feel free to send her my way. My addy is third trailer over from the dumpsters, Forest Lawn Trailer Park Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlkWolfe Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 Back on topic eh kids? Btw Albert, the redneck in question makes you look like the long lost asian fabio TheGr8Blade, fill from the hole as albert suggested, and knock off all the bubbles. Its also handy to soak it in saltwater for 5-10 mins before testing. This will at least enable you to mix up batches of saltwater with a similar salinity instead of every batch varying by a couple PPT because of the hydrometers inherint shortfalls. I'd recommend at the very least tracking down someone with a refractometer and checking your hydrometer against it. At best, get yourself a refractometer. They can be found here... Refractometer And here... Refractometer Incidentally, ive had better service and support from the shop in the second link. Your fish will thank you for it, and you'll be providing a much healthier and stable environment for them. Don't forget to aerate your new saltwater for 12-24 hours after mixing the salt in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSTR Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 Albert don' You don't even like women. Just ask Kevin. :boxer: And Andy you need at least two more car that don't run to officially be classified a redneck. Round Two Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSTR Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 And back on topic, sorry blkwolf, couldn't resist. It will help to watch your temperatures aslo as this has a bearing on salinity. Even a great refractometer benifits from even temperatures. (not that I ever really warm the water in the change bucket, and once you get use to the differences you wont either, but it can help in the beginning). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGr8Blade Posted January 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 Thanks for the info on salinity and the hydrometer. Will try it out again tomorrow, see if it changes any. Might have to pull out the Visa again for a refractometer. Also the info on members, that Fish Dave lives in the Forest lawn trailer park and Albert doesn't like women. Very helpful. Next time we visit Golds, I will send my hubby in (might get better prices) LMAO! Just kidding around...Thanks for the info and the laughs! :beer: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGr8Blade Posted January 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 BTW, does Gold's sell them (refractometers I mean)? If so, how much $$$? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish_Dave_Ab Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 If they don't we maybe able to rig you up one! (We use em in the making of home brew out in the garden shed) Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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