Salinity emergency!

RussWalters · 08/09/2016, 05:45 PM

Ok so, I've been operating under the assumption that my refractometer was accurate based on a calibration with rodi water a while ago... I've been keeping salinity at 1.026 based on that.

The last few days I've noticed a lot of stress in my lps and really high ca and kh. It finally hit me to check calibration of the refractometer. Wayyyyyyy low. After recalibrati get with rodi to 1.000 I'm now seeing SG over 1.032.

Fish seem to be doing ok, how should I best bring the water levels down? The salt water I have premixed is probably super high too, so I know I'll need to dilute.

Should I dillute to a super low salinity and do water changes like that?

What's reef keeping without doing something stupid! Feel like a true member of the hobby now.

P.s. I know I should calibrate off of fluid. Lesson learned.

mcozad829 · 08/09/2016, 05:49 PM

Do you have any 1.026sg calibration fluid? If so recalibrate with that and check again. In my experience the best way to drop salinity is to skim super wet and top off with fresh water, this will gradually bring it down, slow is better than fast but thankfully you need to lower it as oppose to raise it (more tolerance in dropping salinity than raising)

gone fishin · 08/09/2016, 05:55 PM

What is the volume of water?

I also agree using a Calibration fluid of 1.026 will give the best results.

gone fishin · 08/09/2016, 05:58 PM

https://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/Calculators/

I find these calculators useful for a variety of things including your particular problem. Good luck

RussWalters · 08/09/2016, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gone fishin

What is the volume of water?

I also agree using a Calibration fluid of 1.026 will give the best results.

No fluid tonight. Will have some tomorrow.

Total water valine is about 85-90

Current plan is to do about a 25% change and replace with 1.025 based on recalibration. I figure this will give me a bit of breathing room for tonight and tomorrow with calibration fluid really dial it in.

gone fishin · 08/09/2016, 06:07 PM

Sounds like a plan, do you by chance have a hydrometer kicking around? if so I would be inclined to go with it for a comparison until the refractometer is sorted out.

RussWalters · 08/09/2016, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gone fishin

Sounds like a plan, do you by chance have a hydrometer kicking around? if so I would be inclined to go with it for a comparison until the refractometer is sorted out.

Was thinking the same, but unfortunately not. I may be upgrading to a Hanna checker soon! Can't stand this guess work

Bent · 08/09/2016, 06:52 PM

Stop.

Do NOT calibrate a refract with ro/DI, it will be incorrect.
http://blog.captive-aquatics.com/cap...sing-rodi.html

Get some 35ppt calibration fluid and don't do ANYTHING to your tank until you do.

Mr.Fishtank · 08/09/2016, 07:00 PM

If you have a redsea refractometer you can use rodi water to calibrate it. Instructions even says to use rodi. I also confirmed its accuracy with 35ppt fluid. Spot on. But... The only time you can use rodi water is if the refractometer is made to test seawater.

RussWalters · 08/09/2016, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bent

Stop.

Do NOT calibrate a refract with ro/DI, it will be incorrect.
http://blog.captive-aquatics.com/cap...sing-rodi.html

Get some 35ppt calibration fluid and don't do ANYTHING to your tank until you do.

If it I'm .04 off my calibration, reducing my 1.035 with that margin of error (1.039-1.031) so I figure by reducing by .002-.004 tonight will at least give me a good start before I can get calibration fluid tomorrow.

Trying to do what I can with what I have tonight.

Bent · 08/09/2016, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RussWalters

If it I'm .04 off my calibration, reducing my 1.035 with that margin of error (1.039-1.031) so I figure by reducing by .002-.004 tonight will at least give me a good start before I can get calibration fluid tomorrow.

Trying to do what I can with what I have tonight.

Don't go too fast.

xanthurum · 08/09/2016, 07:43 PM

Try the super size method, use a super size cup from any fast food joint. Take out one cup of tank water and replace with rodi. Do one cup in the morning and one at night. That will bring things down slow enough that it shouldn't stress anything but still fast enough to prevent problems. You can also do water changes with 35 ppt water this will also bring it down slowly.

1jwampler · 08/09/2016, 08:17 PM

Guys,

I think the key is stability not a number, if you calibrated with RODI it's going to be very consistent as long as you continue to calibrate with the same source of RODI. Even if it's off by .05 (I.e. 1.30) vs dead on the tank and its inhabits will be fine. They don't like change, especially from high to low. So if you have numerous sources proving your salinity to be 1.30 or even 1.35 don't panic and bring it down quick take a month or so, changing .01/week. Use the same calibration and go down slowly. If your inhabitants appear stressed at 1.35 and your water has been at 1.35 for months it's not your salinity check NO3, DkH or PO4. Yes it's desirable to keep 1.026 (I use 35ppt) but no hurry, have lots of systems and double checks and move in that direction, no big changes.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

keiferd · 08/09/2016, 08:26 PM

sorry to Hijack this thread, but I am in the same boat. I just read my salinity at 1.029 and almost freaked out and did a huge water change to adjust salinity. Granted I have a 10G nano, but I will try to drop it down as slowly as possible instead of doing a massive water change.

RussWalters · 08/09/2016, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1jwampler

Guys,

I think the key is stability not a number, if you calibrated with RODI it's going to be very consistent as long as you continue to calibrate with the same source of RODI. Even if it's off by .05 (I.e. 1.30) vs dead on the tank and its inhabits will be fine. They don't like change, especially from high to low. So if you have numerous sources proving your salinity to be 1.30 or even 1.35 don't panic and bring it down quick take a month or so, changing .01/week. Use the same calibration and go down slowly. If your inhabitants appear stressed at 1.35 and your water has been at 1.35 for months it's not your salinity check NO3, DkH or PO4. Yes it's desirable to keep 1.026 (I use 35ppt) but no hurry, have lots of systems and double checks and move in that direction, no big changes.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This makes a ton of sense. However, the reason I'm super concerned is that I did calibrate with rodi, and somehow the refractometer got out of calibration and now I'm seeing Ill results. I'll keep everyone postd on the status, how I address and the result. Again, awesome support from this amazing community.

Thanks,
Russ

Tanthaitrung · 08/09/2016, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gone fishin

https://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/Calculators/

I find these calculators useful for a variety of things including your particular problem. Good luck

Thanks for your sharing Tony

keiferd · 08/09/2016, 08:58 PM

on another note, am I the only one that still would trust an old manual hydrometer over a refractometer?

C.Eymann · 08/09/2016, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bent

Don't go too fast.

This x100000

The most solid statement in this hobby IMO was said by one of the true OGs of reefkeeping: "nothing good happens fast"-Mike Paletta

keiferd · 08/09/2016, 09:13 PM

when I was in the USAF, we used refractometers to measure the salinity of our engine de-icers and they were never accurate. Maybe they just weren't calibrated right...

08/09/2016, 05:45 PM	#1
RussWalters Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 71	Salinity emergency! Ok so, I've been operating under the assumption that my refractometer was accurate based on a calibration with rodi water a while ago... I've been keeping salinity at 1.026 based on that. The last few days I've noticed a lot of stress in my lps and really high ca and kh. It finally hit me to check calibration of the refractometer. Wayyyyyyy low. After recalibrati get with rodi to 1.000 I'm now seeing SG over 1.032. Fish seem to be doing ok, how should I best bring the water levels down? The salt water I have premixed is probably super high too, so I know I'll need to dilute. Should I dillute to a super low salinity and do water changes like that? What's reef keeping without doing something stupid! Feel like a true member of the hobby now. P.s. I know I should calibrate off of fluid. Lesson learned.

08/09/2016, 05:49 PM	#2
mcozad829 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Natchitoches, LA Posts: 619 Blog Entries: 1	Do you have any 1.026sg calibration fluid? If so recalibrate with that and check again. In my experience the best way to drop salinity is to skim super wet and top off with fresh water, this will gradually bring it down, slow is better than fast but thankfully you need to lower it as oppose to raise it (more tolerance in dropping salinity than raising) __________________ "You'll have plenty of time for rolling doobies... when you're living in a van... down by the river!"

08/09/2016, 05:55 PM	#3
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	What is the volume of water? I also agree using a Calibration fluid of 1.026 will give the best results. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

08/09/2016, 05:58 PM	#4
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	https://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/Calculators/ I find these calculators useful for a variety of things including your particular problem. Good luck __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

08/09/2016, 06:07 PM	#6
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	Sounds like a plan, do you by chance have a hydrometer kicking around? if so I would be inclined to go with it for a comparison until the refractometer is sorted out. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

08/09/2016, 06:52 PM	#8
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	Stop. Do NOT calibrate a refract with ro/DI, it will be incorrect. http://blog.captive-aquatics.com/cap...sing-rodi.html Get some 35ppt calibration fluid and don't do ANYTHING to your tank until you do. __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

08/09/2016, 07:00 PM	#9
Mr.Fishtank Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 275	If you have a redsea refractometer you can use rodi water to calibrate it. Instructions even says to use rodi. I also confirmed its accuracy with 35ppt fluid. Spot on. But... The only time you can use rodi water is if the refractometer is made to test seawater.

08/09/2016, 07:43 PM	#12
xanthurum Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Surprise Arizona Posts: 915	Try the super size method, use a super size cup from any fast food joint. Take out one cup of tank water and replace with rodi. Do one cup in the morning and one at night. That will bring things down slow enough that it shouldn't stress anything but still fast enough to prevent problems. You can also do water changes with 35 ppt water this will also bring it down slowly. __________________ Why is this so addictive. Current Tank Info: You want to know just ask

08/09/2016, 08:17 PM	#13
1jwampler Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 139	Guys, I think the key is stability not a number, if you calibrated with RODI it's going to be very consistent as long as you continue to calibrate with the same source of RODI. Even if it's off by .05 (I.e. 1.30) vs dead on the tank and its inhabits will be fine. They don't like change, especially from high to low. So if you have numerous sources proving your salinity to be 1.30 or even 1.35 don't panic and bring it down quick take a month or so, changing .01/week. Use the same calibration and go down slowly. If your inhabitants appear stressed at 1.35 and your water has been at 1.35 for months it's not your salinity check NO3, DkH or PO4. Yes it's desirable to keep 1.026 (I use 35ppt) but no hurry, have lots of systems and double checks and move in that direction, no big changes. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08/09/2016, 08:26 PM	#14
keiferd Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 174	sorry to Hijack this thread, but I am in the same boat. I just read my salinity at 1.029 and almost freaked out and did a huge water change to adjust salinity. Granted I have a 10G nano, but I will try to drop it down as slowly as possible instead of doing a massive water change.

08/09/2016, 08:58 PM	#17
keiferd Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 174	on another note, am I the only one that still would trust an old manual hydrometer over a refractometer?

08/09/2016, 09:13 PM	#19
keiferd Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 174	when I was in the USAF, we used refractometers to measure the salinity of our engine de-icers and they were never accurate. Maybe they just weren't calibrated right...