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Zack
Mon, 11th Feb 2013, 11:39 AM
So I FINALLY got my hands on a reefractometer and decided to test my current tank's water before changing it as I had been noticing many of my zoos were not doing so well. Turns out my salinity was 1.021. I figured it was an error and needed calibration so I tested RO water and it registered at 1.000 and my mixing water was at 1.025 (reefractometer). I believe my floating hydrometer has slowly been reading incorrectly and as a result, my tank has been not doing as well.

What would be the best way to fix this?

Off the back I mixed the water to about 1.030 in the jug and did a 4 gallon water change.

Now from here what route should I take? This morning I mixed half of my top off water with some water I took out last night in an attempt to slowly raise the salinity back to 1.025.

Although, it may seem odd, my LPS all look relatively unphased by the salinity change. Many of my zoos look a bit stressed. Few seem to not mind it.

Big_Pun
Mon, 11th Feb 2013, 11:42 AM
i would not use ro water to caliberte and get some caliberation solution to check it. other wise you are still just guessing

Zack
Mon, 11th Feb 2013, 11:47 AM
Is calibration fluid a general term? Or does it need to be from the same company that made the reefractometer?

Big_Pun
Mon, 11th Feb 2013, 11:50 AM
it usually a fluid at 35ppm or 1.026 so you can adjust the screw and set it.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/catalog/product/view/id/861/

Zack
Mon, 11th Feb 2013, 11:53 AM
What is the difference of using this and say, distilled water? I'm just curious

Big_Pun
Mon, 11th Feb 2013, 11:57 AM
because a refractometer is a accurate piece of equipment and just zero it out is not caliberating it. what if you turn the screw too much the scale goes only to zero not negative numbers so you dont know how far you went. so by using a solution at a pre determined number is best way to caliberate it

Zack
Mon, 11th Feb 2013, 12:00 PM
Ah ok that makes sense. Well Guess I'll order some fluid and try it out. Thanks!

Big_Pun
Mon, 11th Feb 2013, 12:01 PM
too bad your not in town i could do it for you. some lfs will do it also

Zack
Mon, 11th Feb 2013, 12:02 PM
Hmm, I may have to call around. Save me the money. If not I may have to take you up on that offer sometime.

Big_Pun
Mon, 11th Feb 2013, 12:03 PM
ok

rrasco
Tue, 12th Feb 2013, 12:15 PM
What meter did you get? My BRS one came with the cal fluid and specifically says 'do not zero'. Same ones Louis sells.

Zack
Wed, 13th Feb 2013, 07:17 PM
I'm at work and I'll get the model number in a minute. I got it used, in great condition. I haven't zeroed it out yet.