5 gallon water change

[Reef Swimmer]

Ok I want to make sure I got this right. According to Kent's instructions I add half a cup plus 2 tbsp per gallon of water. So if I'm doing a 5 g water change I use 3 cups and 2 tbsp to get a gravity of 1.024 to 1.026.

[Southern Flame]

Make sure you warm the water or you can get an inaccurate salinity reading

[350gt]

Make sure you warm the water or you can get an inaccurate salinity reading


never heard that before...

[Southern Flame]

I've gotten false readings and I use a hydrometer it happened during the cycling phase but after a few cold water changes after the water warmed my salinity was higher than what we were trying keep it so I have a heater that's set to keep my mixing water at 77 degrees just so ik that when I water change my salinity won't go up

[350gt]

I doubt the temp was a factor more than the hydrometer......

I have to bang the crap out of them to make sure every bubble is out...... if in doubt I pull out the refractometer. But the hydro meter will give false readings sometimes...

i still use hydrometer more though... its so much quicker....

[Southern Flame]

Lol I meant rafractometer lol I'm such a blonde tonight

[350gt]

Ok I want to make sure I got this right. According to Kent's instructions I add half a cup plus 2 tbsp per gallon of water. So if I'm doing a 5 g water change I use 3 cups and 2 tbsp to get a gravity of 1.024 to 1.026.


Dude....1/2 cup of salt to every gallon.....

5 gallons.......... is 2 1/2 cups of salt.......

dont worry about the tablespoons..... just pull out which ever meter you test your salinty with and adjust after the water has mixed well, usually over night.

[Sherita]

Actually, temp can have a definite effect on refractometer readings. Most newer refractometers automatically adjust for temperature, but it's always a good idea to take two readings just to be 100% certain that what you are seeing is correct.

I recently bought a digital refractometer. I will never be without this piece of equipment ever again. It is wonderful.

[350gt]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/06/yhaguheg.jpg

Ahh okay. So thats why it says its it compensates for temperature.... Never knew or looked into what that meant....

Guess i havent been around long enough to use the older type..

[Sherita]

Neither have I :) I just remembered reading about temperature compensation for refractometers a few years ago when I was researching which one I wanted to buy. When I was still using a refractometer I always took two readings even tho mine was temperature compensating. Just got to be a habit.

[stephaniegarcia06]

David, PM me. I live in new braunfels as well. I can come over and show you a few things if you need help. I have a fairly flexible schedule.

Best way to mix salt that ive found is dump salt and water in bucket and throw in a powerhead and heater. Leave it overnight. Test salinity in morning. I always have found its better to be too high salinity wise as there is no more mixing of salt needed to bring it down. Just fresh water.

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