specific gravity/salinty

[dobz55]

Just set up my tank, and have been checking salinty for the last 24hrs using my hydrometer. Temp is stable, the specific gravity is fluctuating all over the place, depending on the postion of the hydrometer in the tank.

Is this normal and whats your advice?

Thanks

[golfish]

are you using a glass floating hydrometer? try shut down all the pumps and air stone (if you have em) for at least 15 minutes before using the floating hydrometer.

[dobz55]

Thanks for that, that is what im using instructions on the box did soecify the need to shut the pumps off.

[dobz55]

Thanks again, I have switched filters and pumps back on my hydrometer actually sticks via a rubber suction cap, with every thing off my specific gravity 1.013- 1.014 @ 27 degrees centigrate, as soon as I turn every thing back on the specific gravity will dance from bottom of the scale to off the top of the scale . The hydrometer is currently placed next to a power head outlet.
fair dunkum people this needle is dancing about like it,s at a night club.
question , do you think that 24 hours is to soon to expect it to settle, if I move the hydrometer to another spot I will get a totaly different reading,

[Ninong]

G'day, mate!

You need to get yourself a fair dinkum refractometer instead of that goofy hydrometer. I don't know how much they run in Oz but over here they're only about US$45 (AU$59).

At 27C, you want your specific gravity around 1.025-1.026 (35 PSU).

[reefologist]

With the floating style hydrometer you will have better results if you get a plastic container long enough to float the hydrmeter. Then put water from the tank inside container and float the hydrometer there. This method will give very accurate readings and lots less chance of breaking the hydrometer or your eyes. HTH happy reefkeeping

[reefologist]

Some of the floating style hydrometers come in a clear plastic tube with end caps. These tubes work perfect for floating the hydro for a reading.gooday mate...

[dobz55]

tthanks all