Hermit Crabs Dying

[awtank2017]

1.023 is still too low. How can water just drop to 1.020 in one day? In order for that to happen, fresh water will have had to be added.

I have an ATO but I also have a lid so that shouldn't be happening. That's what I don't understand.

 

[awtank2017]

It can happen if you're using a hydrometer to read salinity. The one I had would fluctuate depending on how well it was cleaned the last time and I think temperature comes in to play when using them as well.

I have a refractometer that I am reading it with and I just calibrated it right before I got the 1.02 reading. I measured twice to make sure it was not off. I take a pipette and get water from the top 1/3 of the tank in the flow of the powerhead. Should I be getting it from lower?

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

I have a refractometer that I am reading it with and I just calibrated it right before I got the 1.02 reading. I measured twice to make sure it was not off. I take a pipette and get water from the top 1/3 of the tank in the flow of the powerhead. Should I be getting it from lower?

It doesn't really matter if your tank has a pump running at all times. Hydrometer's can be hard to read sometimes and if you rinse it with freshwater even a little residual moisture on the slide can throw off results.

 

[awtank2017]

It doesn't really matter if your tank has a pump running at all times. Hydrometer's can be hard to read sometimes and if you rinse it with freshwater even a little residual moisture on the slide can throw off results.

I am not using a hydrometer, I am using a refractometer.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

I am not using a hydrometer, I am using a refractometer.

Sorry, meant refractometer.

 

[awtank2017]

Sorry, meant refractometer.

Ok thanks for the clue.

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

My suggestion would be to check the salinity before and after your ATO tops up the system.