Everything is too High!

My salinity in the tank is what I'm listing here. Not the mix I get, there's is always a bit lower, so I make sure it doesnt swing during my water change by adding a little more salt.

I am concerned about my refractometer being off, since I have no calibration fluid right now. I just found out recently that calibrating with RO/DI is not sufficient.

 

are the params listed for your tank water or for newly mixed water you received from the LFS?

 

These are the params for my tank, and I have not tested everything yet in the mix from the LFS.

 

i don't think it is a problem. it will just keep it higher than you need it.

 

Did you say you dose these supplements? The salt does not have levels that high. So, there is only a few ways the levels can get that high. Either, you are adding too much supplements. Or adding too much salt during water changes. Or it is test error.

If your refractometer is off, that could lead to adding too much salt, which would provide these results. That is what I was getting at before, as I remember you said you were using RO/DI. However, you didn't answer my question about supplements , that would need to be ruled out as well if I'm understanding what you are saying correctly.

 

I have been dosing for alk on a bi weekly basis for about month now. I dosed for calcium monthly for 2 months now. But in no way could it have been that much. I was dosing under the recommended amounts.

Maybe because I have been worried about a salinity swing during my WC, that I have been adding to the original mix, which is then adding to the already high concentrate?

I am trying to see if a friend has any calibration fluid, so I can get that done later today.

 

Sorry, I wasn't quite following that about salinity swings during water changes. It sounds like you are getting salt from an LFS? Is it already mixed with water? what are you adding to it, more salt? Or are you saying your mixing dry salt, but adding more salt than the package calls for, because it mixes at a lower s.g. than your tank?

 

Ok, When I get the water from the LFS, it is already mixed. but usually it is lower than what is in my tank. (of coarse this is all by using my uncalibrated refractometer). it's usually 1.023 and I usually add a little salt to the already mixed SW to bump it up. I'm using Instant ocean.

 

Gotcha, that could be. Definitely worth ruling out. Could also be a result of dosing though, although seems unlikely, but seems unlikely if your not adding much.