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03/04/2010, 12:10 AM
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#1 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: East, Texas
Posts: 122
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1.021 help !!!
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7 months into hobby, and all parameters have been in check with only a few spikes of nitrate, low PH. Or so I thought..... Well I recieved calibration fluid today and my refractometer read 1.021 AFTER calibrated. All inverts/corals/fish have been doing great. Snails/crabs/sand sifting starfish/cleaner shrimp all good - no die off. Actually an explosion of late of stomatella snails. Don't want to overreact, thinking of testing at LFS tomorrow. Thoughts/suggestions..... Also received a TDS meter - what is ideal for TDS? Thanks in advance |
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03/04/2010, 12:19 AM
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#2 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Eagle, Idaho
Posts: 306
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If you confirm you SG, I would just start replacing your evaporation with salt water. 1.021 really isn't dangerously low if everything is looking okay. Shocking your system would be a much bigger problem. I would defenitely bring it up, but just do it by using salt water for top-off (if you know for sure that it is too low).
The TDS meter is used for your RODI water. 0 is ideal, but a lot of people are content with 3-4 ppm. The TDS of you tank water would be extremely high. I don't think it is practical to use a hobby grade TDS meter to check salinity. Good luck |
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03/04/2010, 01:11 AM
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#3 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Kalamazoo, Canada
Posts: 769
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1.021 is not bad just slowly bring it back up to 1.025, I have measured some Lfs around here and the fish water in the bag read 1.016 and the water in their coral tanks 1.030.
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03/04/2010, 03:10 AM
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#4 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Effort PA
Posts: 1,067
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Agreed. Get your water tested at your LFS to confirm your readings. If correct top off with salt water. If not correct, recalibrate your refractometer. Oh yeah, and most importantly relax.........
__________________
80 gallon Blue Line rimless tank, 40 gallon breeder sump, DIY ATS, SWC 160 cone skimmer, ocean revive LED. Current Tank Info: 80 gallon blue line rimless tank |
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03/04/2010, 08:12 AM
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#5 |
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One reef to rule them all
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Leominster, MA
Posts: 5,299
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Are you mixing your own saltwater? Most (if not all) salt mixes have a ratio of about 1/2 cup of salt per gallon of water which will bring your SG to 1.021
__________________
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu! |
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03/04/2010, 08:46 PM
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#6 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: East, Texas
Posts: 122
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Thanks everyone. Confirmed today at LFS that my refractometer was indeed reading high. Topping off w/saltwater (started today) & will monitor unitl 1.025 is reached.
I use Seachem Reef Crystals - just was mixing low due to refractometer. I love the relax direction the most! |
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03/04/2010, 08:53 PM
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#7 |
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Registered Member.
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Clovis, NM
Posts: 164
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03/04/2010, 08:58 PM
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#8 |
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Moved On
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Staten Island NYC
Posts: 20
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Yea just top off with saltwater and you will be fine.
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