Salinity Advise

[MisterrBee]

I have been testing my salinity and it has been running at around 28.9 PPT which I know is low. I am using NSW so was worried about accuracy of test equipment. I ordered a new Hanna tester and its showing 27.4. I then checked the saltwater directly from the sea which is saying 26.8.
Is this normal or am I doing something wrong?

 

[John Doe]

I have been testing my salinity

Why? Did something happen in your tank?

 

[Garf]

I have been testing my salinity and it has been running at around 28.9 PPT which I know is low. I am using NSW so was worried about accuracy of test equipment. I ordered a new Hanna tester and its showing 27.4. I then checked the saltwater directly from the sea which is saying 26.8.
Is this normal or am I doing something wrong?

You got a calibration solution for the Hanna?

 

[MisterrBee]

You got a calibration solution for the Hanna?

Yes calibrated it before testing.

 

[MisterrBee]

Why? Did something happen in your tank?

No the tank is looking beautiful at the moment. All corals are looking happy.

 

[Garf]

Yes calibrated it before testing.

Well, I suppose anything is possible with all the rain we get, lol. How are you filtering the water? Have you got a boat, or just dipping from a pier?

 

[Kmst80]

I have been testing my salinity and it has been running at around 28.9 PPT which I know is low. I am using NSW so was worried about accuracy of test equipment. I ordered a new Hanna tester and its showing 27.4. I then checked the saltwater directly from the sea which is saying 26.8.
Is this normal or am I doing something wrong?

Nsw can vary in Salinity. I use it often too and i got it out of the ocean at 35.3 ppt and as low as 28 ppt. All depends on if you got freshwater runnning into the sea where you collect and the amount of rain before you pick your water. I always use salt to bring mine up into the 34-35 ppt range.
I find it interesting though your corals are happy, since low salinity means low alk,cal and mag too

 

[MisterrBee]

Well, I suppose anything is possible with all the rain we get, lol. How are you filtering the water? Have you got a boat, or just dipping from a pier?

I have waders, I take it about an hour before high tide. I then leave the containers in the garage to settle for a few days before filtering off the top 3/4 from each container. When filling the containers I drop them about a foot under the surface to avoid picking up any oils or scum that could be floating on the surface.
If there is a better process I can adopt, I'm all ears.

 

[MisterrBee]

I have waders, I take it about an hour before high tide. I then leave the containers in the garage to settle for a few days before filtering off the top 3/4 from each container. When filling the containers I drop them about a foot under the surface to avoid picking up any oils or scum that could be floating on the surface.
If there is a better process I can adopt, I'm all ears.

I also use the SSRA app to keep an eye on reported water quality issues.

 

[MisterrBee]

Nsw can vary in Salinity. I use it often too and i got it out of the ocean at 35.3 ppt and as low as 28 ppt. All depends on if you got freshwater runnning into the sea where you collect and the amount of rain before you pick your water. I always use salt to bring mine up into the 34-35 ppt range.
I find it interesting though your corals are happy, since low salinity means low alk,cal and mag too

There has been a lot of rain recently.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'd replace evaporated water with salt water until you get in the vicinity of 35 ppt.