help!!

hey i am mixing my salt and water in a 20 gallon pail. anyway I added the recomended amount of salt 1/2 cup per 1 us gallon and then i tested the salinity I have one of the high tech ones that you use like a telescope and it says many different numbers never once the same number.
it said
27
41
48
11
24
35
so if this has ever happend to you let me know what to do. mabe i have to let the salt desolve a bit before i test?

 

It sounds like you are using a refractometer. Have you ever calibrated it? If not, you should get some 35ppt solution to calibrate it with. I calibrate/confirm it is reading right every time I use it.

But more pressing are the varied results. That is unusual. Even if it is reading off, it should still be consistent. You should definitely wait at least one hour before checking the salinity after mixing, as I find the salinity does increase a bit. You can check it right after mixing, just expect it to go up, so don't make changes based on the result.

How are you mixing? Is the water heated? What brand refractometer?

 

to mix i put the salt and water in the pail and turn on my power head and a heater. the brand of the refracto meater i am not sure of. I will try calabrating it

 

I'm guessing the salt had not completely dissolved. Perhaps one time you got 4 granules on the refractometer, the next time 8, the next time 1, etc.

Calibrate it and try again.

 

if you can't find the calibrating solution (it usually comes with some) you can use RO/DI water or distilled. I have calibrated my refractometer to both and they are both ok substitutes. You should have a small screwdriver and you want to use that to calibrate to 0 and then you should re-test.

Depending on the salt mix, some do dissolve quicker than other. I usually let mine sit overnight at the least before testing the salinity.

A good level is 1.025, best for inverts and corals. If you have stricly fish they can be ok in lower salinity, but best to just match the salinity of the tank as best you can.

good luck!

 

+1 Excellent response.

I too have calibrated with distilled water (not the best but will do in a pinch) and usually mixed mine for at least 12 hours if not longer.