[swinginbeef]

Beware of the RedSea Hydrometer with the little built in thermometer. It costs about $14-15 at LFSs and maybe slightly less at the major chains.



I've had this hydrometer since I started my tank, coming up on 3 months ago. I've been trying to use it to keep my salinity near 1.025. At first I kept the water where it read 1.025. Then I took some water to the LFS to double verify all of my parameters and they said my SG was pretty high. After doing some research, I found that some hydrometers are calibratedt o be accurate at 60°F water temps and that at 80° they will read lower than they really are. The conversion seems to be about .0025 at 20° warmer water so since then, I've been keepign my SG between 1.022-1.023 on my RedSea hydrometer with the little thermometer. I went to buy fish last night and took a water sample to be double verified that their test came up the same as mine. I also took my hydrometer to check it out vs theirs. They tested my water and the SG came back as 1.028 as opposed to the 1.0225 that my hydrometer read. Then we verified again using their tank water and it read 1.016 vs their 1.020 reading. I stopped by Petco on the way home and they tested my water and came up with the same 1.028. So it turns out I've been keeping my salinity through the roof. It now makes me wonder if that could be what killed the two clowns I had, if the salinity is that high then the salt displaces oxygen possibly causing my fish to suffocate? My inverts have all been doing great.

Anyways, moral of the story, double verify the water readings you perform at home at least several times per year to make sure your testing equipment is functioning properly. And you might avoid buying the RedSea hydrometer with the little thermometer built in.

on a good note, I've been using a RedSea marine test kit for my water testing. Since buying it several months ago, I've read several post suggesting staying away from RedSea water tests. Just want to point out that the LFS came up with similar readings that I saw with my test kit, which was

Am - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0
pH - 8.4 (my test read ~8.3)
Alk - 10.9 (my test read ~3.5meq/l, which calc to about 10.5)

so in summation, RedSea water test kit... decent. RedSea hydormeter with built in thermometer... bad. Unless I just got a bum unit.

Double check your readings several times per year with different equiptment.

[thelastmucci]

Thanks for the post Joe. I was thinking of getting the Red Sea Reef starter pack which comes with that little hydrometer and a few other things. However in hearing your concerns with it I will probably go with something else. My LFS said just a dip strip test kit would suffice for now so that's probably end up getting. I know testing is important and believe me I don't want to skimp but if one works as good as the other than why pay more if you don't have too. Tell me do you use the Red Sea Coal Life/Sea Salt Mix as well.

[swinginbeef]

I use Instant Ocean saltmix for no other reason than it was on sale when I made my first salt purchase. I've had no issues with it, so I've sticking with it based on the 'if it ain't broke' theory.

[wesley6610]

I would be leary about using Hydrometers period, they don't actually measure salinity or S.G. of salt by itself, its actually the TOTAL dissolved solids in your system contributing to that 1.025 you think your getting. Go with a refractometer as soon as you can before adding S.G (ppt) sensitive corals or inverts.

[thelastmucci]

Hey Wesley I've been doing some more research and have a few "test issues" What kind of test kit do you use. In my reading specifically for nano-tanks I've read that 90% of the work is maintaing water parameters. The fact that using such things as Kalkswater and other substances in your tank can dramatically effect the delicate chemistry. Anywhoo I want to use a good test kit and was curious as to what you used. Also what kind of salt do you use and do you use that other stuff...not salt but coral something. I can't think of the name of it. Thanks for the help.

[wesley6610]

I use Instant Ocean brand for my salt mix. I use Arm & Hammer baking soda for Alk and buffering capacity. I use Dowflake for daily Ca dosing and Seachem ReefAdvantage Calcium for right after water change dosing. I use Salifert and Seachem test kits for Ca, Alk, Mg and a digital pH meter. That's it, oh and a refractometer to measure salinity.

[thelastmucci]

thanks for the tips wes.

[wesley6610]

I rely on my salt mix to provide the trace elements, but I alos very occasionally dose Fe for my Macroalgae in my sump, but not that often. The Iron is the only Kent product that I use. Food is DT Live phytoplankton and Ocean Nutrition pellets, every other week live brine shrimp. What do you use and how has it worked for you as far as dosing and test kits?

[Tonz of fun]

I agree with Wes. Some Salfiert test are crap. I know phosphates for sure. But you gotta use a refractometer. I used the hydros. When I got my refractometer I noticed immediately that there were some discrepancies.

[thelastmucci]

Originally Posted by wesley6610

I rely on my salt mix to provide the trace elements, but I alos very occasionally dose Fe for my Macroalgae in my sump, but not that often. The Iron is the only Kent product that I use. Food is DT Live phytoplankton and Ocean Nutrition pellets, every other week live brine shrimp. What do you use and how has it worked for you as far as dosing and test kits?

Well I don't have a tank yet but when I had FW I just used the color changing strips....I always had the idea in the back of my mind that they were garbage. Then when I asked my LFS about SW test kits he said again to use the strips but I just don't trust them....I don't think they're accurate enough. As far as supplements I've been reading that 90% of your chemistry has to due with your salt mix so that's why I asked what one you used. I'll probably get that one. But for dosing I really wasn't planning on using anything for two reasons 1) being that I plan on doing at least a 10% water change every week. and 2) I'm very leary of them. But if you use Kent and you say you get good results then I might get that at the very least. Food I had no idea what to get...I'm deathly afraid of overfeeding b/c I know it can really screw up your tank. But if you just use those three things then that shouldn't be too much of a problem. Tell me did you grow your own Macroalgae because I want to have some in my fuge but didn't know if I should just buy it. Also do you use the IV bag thing to drip your supplements in...I know there're not that expensive but everything I'm getting is "not that expensive" and it does add up. One last question. Have you ever heard of the Kent Coral supplements A&B they come together and are usually around 12-15 depending on where you look. I would love it if it's truly works but I Have no idea. Thanks guys.

[wesley6610]

Originally Posted by Tonz of fun

I agree with Wes. Some Salfiert test are crap. I know phosphates for sure. But you gotta use a refractometer. I used the hydros. When I got my refractometer I noticed immediately that there were some discrepancies.

Tonz, $22 later I found out that Salifert PO4 kit wasn't as good as some of their others, I will be switching to Seachem for that one if they carry it.

[wesley6610]

Originally Posted by thelastmucci

Well I don't have a tank yet but when I had FW I just used the color changing strips....I always had the idea in the back of my mind that they were garbage. Then when I asked my LFS about SW test kits he said again to use the strips but I just don't trust them....I don't think they're accurate enough. As far as supplements I've been reading that 90% of your chemistry has to due with your salt mix so that's why I asked what one you used. I'll probably get that one. But for dosing I really wasn't planning on using anything for two reasons 1) being that I plan on doing at least a 10% water change every week. and 2) I'm very leary of them. But if you use Kent and you say you get good results then I might get that at the very least. Food I had no idea what to get...I'm deathly afraid of overfeeding b/c I know it can really screw up your tank. But if you just use those three things then that shouldn't be too much of a problem. Tell me did you grow your own Macroalgae because I want to have some in my fuge but didn't know if I should just buy it. Also do you use the IV bag thing to drip your supplements in...I know there're not that expensive but everything I'm getting is "not that expensive" and it does add up. One last question. Have you ever heard of the Kent Coral supplements A&B they come together and are usually around 12-15 depending on where you look. I would love it if it's truly works but I Have no idea. Thanks guys.

I think i confused you, I don't like Kent. I use SeaChem for all commercial dosing purposes. Honestly, I have been seeking alternative methods to cut cost like I wrote above using Baking soda for Alk and Dowflake for regular Ca dosing. Now, if your not planning on keeping corals, I would agree that you 10% weekly changes should be enough. But if you start putting corals in there, that just won't cut it. They can exhaust your levels in a few days if your current and light are strong, salinity high and nutrients low, like they all respectively should be. So be leary about not dosing and testing to find out exactly how much is being used by your system. Again, this is only if your planning on keeping corals at some point. FOWLR doesn't require all that I wrote.

[thelastmucci]

Thanks Wes.....that did clarify for me...and I do plan on keeping some corals at some point so I'll have to take what you said to heart.

[wesley6610]

Anytime and remember, what works for some won't work for all, just use the information as a guide and not necessarily a reefers bible, unless its basic things like water changes, refugiums and so forth.