Figured you did, but wanted to put it out there in case you didn't.
15 Alk too high?
- Thread starter GpixL_
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OP
OP
GpixL_
Active Member
For sure. Well I know how to do it but its turned all the way "down" like I can only turn it one way which makes it go higher not lower.
Are you sure you made the solution properly?
If it's already turned down, perhaps you have dropped it, bumped it, etc, and actually threw the meter off so it's not calibrating?
Something is telling me something is not right either with the meter itself, or the solution you made.
If it's already turned down, perhaps you have dropped it, bumped it, etc, and actually threw the meter off so it's not calibrating?
Something is telling me something is not right either with the meter itself, or the solution you made.
OP
OP
GpixL_
Active Member
And now its completly screwed. Wont go down past 1.055
Are you sure it's designed for saltwater, and not a BRIX refractometer?
OP
OP
GpixL_
Active Member
Yeah somethings not right. Maybe the meters bad? Get a new one?
OP
OP
GpixL_
Active Member
No its says salinity at the bottom
Absolutely, I use three different types to cross verify
OP
OP
GpixL_
Active Member
WELL guess this wont work today. Ill order a new one and call the LFS to see if they test water.
Good idea. They are fairly cheap. I dropped one a while back, could never get it calibrated properly. Replaced it.
I was once told a long time ago.......
Take this hobby as keeping water, not whats in the water(fish, coral, etc). The better you keep your water, the better the inhabitants will do.
Water is the basic of this hobby, without proper water, you cannot keep whats in the water thriving.
And thats why I am starting there with you.
I was once told a long time ago.......
Take this hobby as keeping water, not whats in the water(fish, coral, etc). The better you keep your water, the better the inhabitants will do.
Water is the basic of this hobby, without proper water, you cannot keep whats in the water thriving.
And thats why I am starting there with you.
jimk60
Well-Known Member
I would go on the BRS website and buy the floating glass hydrometer they sell. Never needs calibration and is pretty much fool proof as long as the temperatures match. Costs around forty bucks
I personally hate that thing! Yes it works, but it's so cumbersome to use.
This has got to be one of the most frustrating threads I've read in some time. It starts off with someone giving the OP terrible advice, then it progresses to OP using tap water and so on.
I'm not one for mincing words, so don't take any of this with a mean tone:
1. Get an RODI system.
2. Get refractometer calibration solution, GOOD test kits (or Hanna eggs).
3. Fill a new garbage can with RODI water. Add pump and heater and salt and let mix. Heat to 78 degrees. Salt to 35ppt.
4. Drain current setup.
5. Fill current setup with newly mixed water.
6. Add your favorite bottled bacteria and a piece of live rock. Add a food source.
7. Monitor ammonia and nitrites.
8. Allow cycle to continue and complete.
9. During cycling, read and educate yourself on owning a SW tank.
10. Once you're done reading and watching videos, do it again.
11. Verify cycle has completed by testing for 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites.
12. Promise to never say "But my LFS is 30 mins away..." ever again.
13. Enjoy success by slowly adding things.
I'm not one for mincing words, so don't take any of this with a mean tone:
1. Get an RODI system.
2. Get refractometer calibration solution, GOOD test kits (or Hanna eggs).
3. Fill a new garbage can with RODI water. Add pump and heater and salt and let mix. Heat to 78 degrees. Salt to 35ppt.
4. Drain current setup.
5. Fill current setup with newly mixed water.
6. Add your favorite bottled bacteria and a piece of live rock. Add a food source.
7. Monitor ammonia and nitrites.
8. Allow cycle to continue and complete.
9. During cycling, read and educate yourself on owning a SW tank.
10. Once you're done reading and watching videos, do it again.
11. Verify cycle has completed by testing for 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites.
12. Promise to never say "But my LFS is 30 mins away..." ever again.
13. Enjoy success by slowly adding things.
jimk60
Well-Known Member
Agreed, but after using multiple refractometers and the Hanna meter and getting multiple readings I find this the only one I really trust. I think the OP needs simplicity at this stage.
I think this advice is coming from swimming pools where aeration can effect pH and Total Alkalinity. Does not apply to reef tanks.
Jon's Reef
Valuable Member
We recently had another forum member with similar issue (Alk of 15+ with mix that was supposed to be 8). Turned out their RODI was not taking out the impurities.
100% buy an RODI unit. You can get one on amazon for $70 (aquatic life).
AQUATICLIFE Aquatic Life RO Buddie Plus DI Four Stage Reverse Osmosis Deionization Unit 50 GPD
Or invest more and buy a 4 stage Bulk Reef Supply one.
www.bulkreefsupply.com
Drain your tank all the way. Get rid of all of the old water. Fill it with rodi. Just put the output hose in the tank and fill it up. It will take 1/2 to 1 day. Watch it so you don’t overfill.
If you have a sump (tank part in the base cabinet) then add the salt there. If you have an All in One, pour the salt in the back part. Just slowly. Put in a cup, let it dissolve… come back 10 min later and put in another. When you get close to the recommended amount, then test the salinity.
One tool I really like is the Hanna salinity checker. Some people have issues, but many more have used them without problem. It is nice to just stick it in the water and see the temp and salinity. A little pricey ($75) but well worth it. Also, the Hanna Alkalinity checker is very nice too.
www.bulkreefsupply.com
www.bulkreefsupply.com
100% buy an RODI unit. You can get one on amazon for $70 (aquatic life).
AQUATICLIFE Aquatic Life RO Buddie Plus DI Four Stage Reverse Osmosis Deionization Unit 50 GPD
Or invest more and buy a 4 stage Bulk Reef Supply one.
4 Stage Value Plus 75GPD RO/DI System
BRS 4 Stage Systems are perfect for reefers who have water treated with chlorine or relatively clean well water. The 4 stage systems are self-contained on a single bracket making them ideal for tight spaces or where a non-permanent connection may be required. Installing a RO/DI system only takes...
www.bulkreefsupply.com
Drain your tank all the way. Get rid of all of the old water. Fill it with rodi. Just put the output hose in the tank and fill it up. It will take 1/2 to 1 day. Watch it so you don’t overfill.
If you have a sump (tank part in the base cabinet) then add the salt there. If you have an All in One, pour the salt in the back part. Just slowly. Put in a cup, let it dissolve… come back 10 min later and put in another. When you get close to the recommended amount, then test the salinity.
One tool I really like is the Hanna salinity checker. Some people have issues, but many more have used them without problem. It is nice to just stick it in the water and see the temp and salinity. A little pricey ($75) but well worth it. Also, the Hanna Alkalinity checker is very nice too.
HI98319 Marine Salinity Tester
Designed for Simple Aquarium Salinity Testing Hanna Instruments HI98319 Marine Salinity Tester measures electrical conductivity (EC) to determine the salinity of natural and artificial seawater. Within seconds, the salinity and temperature are measured, and then using the temperature reading...
www.bulkreefsupply.com
Alkalinity DKH Colorimeter HI772 Hanna Checker - Marine Water
Why does BRS recommend this? The Hanna Alkalinity checker is an awesome little tool that now will give results in DKH values that are much more common in the aquarium hobby. It will also give you accurate easy to read results with the large LCD display. We like the repeatable results and ability...
www.bulkreefsupply.com
Agree 100%
Love my hanna. They seem to be either hit or miss. You either get one that works(like I did when they first came out), and stays calibrated, or you get a dud. If you do get a dud, turns out hanna CS is great and will simply replace it.
This is my quick go to checker along with the easy verification using their calibration solution, I use it in a cup of tank water, because it is possible imo that you could have possible interference with pumps, motors, heaters and maybe wifi. I dont know that for sure but its easy enough to grab a clean cup and scoop in some water and test in hand.
OP
OP
GpixL_
Active Member
We recently had another forum member with similar issue (Alk of 15+ with mix that was supposed to be 8). Turned out their RODI was not taking out the impurities.
100% buy an RODI unit. You can get one on amazon for $70 (aquatic life).
AQUATICLIFE Aquatic Life RO Buddie Plus DI Four Stage Reverse Osmosis Deionization Unit 50 GPD
Or invest more and buy a 4 stage Bulk Reef Supply one.
4 Stage Value Plus 75GPD RO/DI System
BRS 4 Stage Systems are perfect for reefers who have water treated with chlorine or relatively clean well water. The 4 stage systems are self-contained on a single bracket making them ideal for tight spaces or where a non-permanent connection may be required. Installing a RO/DI system only takes...
Drain your tank all the way. Get rid of all of the old water. Fill it with rodi. Just put the output hose in the tank and fill it up. It will take 1/2 to 1 day. Watch it so you don’t overfill.
If you have a sump (tank part in the base cabinet) then add the salt there. If you have an All in One, pour the salt in the back part. Just slowly. Put in a cup, let it dissolve… come back 10 min later and put in another. When you get close to the recommended amount, then test the salinity.
One tool I really like is the Hanna salinity checker. Some people have issues, but many more have used them without problem. It is nice to just stick it in the water and see the temp and salinity. A little pricey ($75) but well worth it. Also, the Hanna Alkalinity checker is very nice too.
HI98319 Marine Salinity Tester
Designed for Simple Aquarium Salinity Testing Hanna Instruments HI98319 Marine Salinity Tester measures electrical conductivity (EC) to determine the salinity of natural and artificial seawater. Within seconds, the salinity and temperature are measured, and then using the temperature reading...
Alkalinity DKH Colorimeter HI772 Hanna Checker - Marine Water
Why does BRS recommend this? The Hanna Alkalinity checker is an awesome little tool that now will give results in DKH values that are much more common in the aquarium hobby. It will also give you accurate easy to read results with the large LCD display. We like the repeatable results and ability...
Sounds good. Wont lie my tank is one from my freshwater days which i cleaned after taking everything out. So there is no return or whatever for a sump. Im running HOB skimmer and filter. Is there another way for me to get a sump with this type of tank?
Rmckoy
7500 Club Member
They can and used to be able to calibrate with fresh rodi water but …
That’s not accurate .
buying 35ppt calibration solution is the more accurate way
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