Salinity 1.035!!!

[rockdiver]

I have never used a hydrometer
But I use 2 of the swing arm and a refractometer and they all read the same. Give or take a 1/2 point.
When there grab a swing arm they are cheap and you can reference with it.
It will confuse you even more haha.
That's why I have 3 methods

 

[Shirak]

1.020 sg is low and that was what I was trying to fix but when I used a refractometer is reads 1.035 sg, so it's pretty confusing. When my lfs opens I'll see if I calibrated it right and have it get tested there.

Does your refractometer have both scales?

 

[rockdiver]

No the op said
"No, I'm not mixing ppt and sg up (sg is like 1.026 while ppt is 35) and I'm using continuum reagents refractometer calibration standard"

 

[rockdiver]

Wait your right in the very first post
Well idk if it was that high he would definitely know

 

[JumpingFlea]

My refractometer does have both scales but I read the ppt side because it is easier to see.

 

[rockdiver]

Ha I took a pic and I think it worked.
So on the left side yours reads 1.35 ?
I just use distilled water and put it to zero

 

[Shirak]

My refractometer does have both scales but I read the ppt side because it is easier to see.

Either side is fine but as mentioned by others. 35ppt is correct. 1.035 sg is not! 1.035sg would be reading around 46ppt

 

[Shirak]

Ha I took a pic and I think it worked.
So on the left side yours reads 1.35 ?
I just use distilled water and put it to zero

I use Dr. Randy Holmes-Farley's refractometer calibration solution formula. I have heard it's better to calibrate with something near your tank water parameters vs distilled. I figure it can't hurt!

 

[rockdiver]

Ya I tried that and worked good too !
I do it once a month and if I don't feel like mixing I just use distilled water seems to work just as good but thats only when I'm being lazy lol

 

[rockdiver]

So I just was wondering did you figure this out ?

 

[JumpingFlea]

So I just was wondering did you figure this out ?

I had my salinity tested at my lfs and it read 1.032, so they said to do a 10% water change with RO water. I’ll be starting that later today. Is there anything else I should do to lower the salinity down safely?

 

[Shirak]

I had my salinity tested at my lfs and it read 1.032, so they said to do a 10% water change with RO water. I’ll be starting that later today. Is there anything else I should do to lower the salinity down safely?

55g tank and 10% with straight RO? 5g of RO into a tank that size is going to cause a big drop
5g RO into 45g 1.032sg water will end with 1.0288sg. Personally I would just take out a gallon a day and let the ATO refill with RODI. 1g would drop the salinity about .0007sg
Handy calculator https://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/Calculators/ResultingSalinity.php

Edit: I am estimating 45g on the 10% change because you probably have at most 50g water in a 55g tank. Probably close to 45g with rock etc and then add a bit for sump.. Do you have a sump?

You could do 1g and just see how much of a drop you get on your refractometer before/after.

 

[JumpingFlea]

UPDATE: I've brought the Salinity down by 0.003 sg, so I'm right now at 1.032 sg. Also, the construction has started and we will be be covering the aquarium with a tarp for 2 days starting tomorrow. I will be getting an air stone to help oxgenate the water and help with gas exchange.