Added new corals to my nano...

JammyBirch · 12/30/2014, 03:05 PM

Just added a red cap, a krypton candy and a maze brain coral...got the lights down low and everything should be fine I hope.

The LFS was ripping my setup apart, I was getting pretty ticked off honestly. Told me my Jeboa power head was junk and my value fixture was too, all kinds of stuff. Anyway the thing he mentioned about my specific gravity actually got me thinking. I run it at 1.026, spec gravity gauge, he promptly told me that was junk too and that I should be using a refractometer instead.

Is that too high? I probably will move to a refractometer but should the spec gravity be 1.024 instead.

My rear end is a little chapped from this guy, luckily the owner is a great guy and I will only work with him in the future. The corals, tanks, fish and prices are unbelievable so it's worth it to not punch the help in the face...lol

1MP3R1AL · 12/30/2014, 03:10 PM

He was probably calling your equipment junk because he wanted to sell you something. He might work off of commission. If your equipment is working for you that's all that matters. Personally I don't think jeoba is junk at all. Pretty good stuff.

.026 is perfect for fish and coral to thrive. And refractometers are a very good investment. You can find one for around 30 online.

FraggledRock · 12/30/2014, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JammyBirch

Just added a red cap, a krypton candy and a maze brain coral...got the lights down low and everything should be fine I hope.

The LFS was ripping my setup apart, I was getting pretty ticked off honestly. Told me my Jeboa power head was junk and my value fixture was too, all kinds of stuff. Anyway the thing he mentioned about my specific gravity actually got me thinking. I run it at 1.026, spec gravity gauge, he promptly told me that was junk too and that I should be using a refractometer instead.

Is that too high? I probably will move to a refractometer but should the spec gravity be 1.024 instead.

My rear end is a little chapped from this guy, luckily the owner is a great guy and I will only work with him in the future. The corals, tanks, fish and prices are unbelievable so it's worth it to not punch the help in the face...lol

his attitude was JUNK!

sorry you had to deal with a butt munch like that =/ thats disrespectful, even if he thinks your equipment isnt teh best, thats not a good way to sell a product. You shouldn't be leaving feeling sore from a place you are investing in, about what you own. You earned your keep and no one can say oterhwise, and I hope the owner fires that guy!

thats all I have to say. Good Luck!

coralsnaked · 12/30/2014, 03:24 PM

1.026 SP is great...however if the hydrometer is incorrect (and they frequently can be) it could easily put you on the high side of normal. Best $30 you can make in your reef tank is an investment in a refractometer. Just be sure to get a reef meter for measuring Natural Sea Water and not a meter for food or alcohol production.

JammyBirch · 12/30/2014, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coralsnaked

1.026 SP is great...however if the hydrometer is incorrect (and they frequently can be) it could easily put you on the high side of normal. Best $30 you can make in your reef tank is an investment in a refractometer. Just be sure to get a reef meter for measuring Natural Sea Water and not a meter for food or alcohol production.

Great advice I had no idea there are multiple meters...

JammyBirch · 12/30/2014, 04:05 PM

How does auto temperature compensation work on refractometers?

BeanMachine · 12/30/2014, 04:26 PM

I sort of have the same sentiment on the jebao pumps... I would have just sugar coated it a bit more hehe

Quote:

Originally Posted by coralsnaked

1.026 SP is great...however if the hydrometer is incorrect (and they frequently can be) it could easily put you on the high side of normal. Best $30 you can make in your reef tank is an investment in a refractometer. Just be sure to get a reef meter for measuring Natural Sea Water and not a meter for food or alcohol production.

Yes definitely get a refractometer... the hydrometers are not accurate. Get some calibration fluid for it as well. They are really easy to use its a good investement. Just maybe buy it from another retailer since the guy at the LFS sounds like a turd haha

Teenreefer15 · 12/30/2014, 04:59 PM

I think he just wanted to sell you stuff from their place. Don't worry you don't need to rush out and buy new stuff. If it works for you its fine. Jebao is also pretty good in my opinion. However I do run my tank at 1.026 and thats where it should be for corals, but I do use a refractometer. Usually hydrometers don't read properly unless calibrated properly which is hard to do because you buy them for so cheap. I would go on amazon or BRS and invest $30 or even $100 for a refractometer. I say $100 because those digital refractometers look pretty slick.

morleyz · 12/30/2014, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JammyBirch

How does auto temperature compensation work on refractometers?

It automatically adjusts the reading on the refractometer for the ambient temperature of the room/device. Since SG is temperature dependent, your calibration could be off if you didn't have your refractometer at the same temperature as the calibration fluid is calibrated for. Basically, you don't have to worry about anything if it has ATC, otherwise you technically have to adjust your calibration slightly on a non-ATC model.

Most important for a refractometer, make your calibration and measurements at about the same temperature and using the same light source.

morleyz · 12/30/2014, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teenreefer15

I think he just wanted to sell you stuff from their place. Don't worry you don't need to rush out and buy new stuff. If it works for you its fine. Jebao is also pretty good in my opinion. However I do run my tank at 1.026 and thats where it should be for corals, but I do use a refractometer. Usually hydrometers don't read properly unless calibrated properly which is hard to do because you buy them for so cheap. I would go on amazon or BRS and invest $30 or even $100 for a refractometer. I say $100 because those digital refractometers look pretty slick.

Santa brought me a Milwaukee digital...heaven!!

JammyBirch · 12/30/2014, 06:34 PM

What model are you guys using, I see BRS has one, RedSea has one also and amazon has a ton around $30. All of the ones I'm looking at have calibration fluid included.

The only gripe I have with the Jebao is I have the wp10 model and really would like more flow, prolly the wp25 would have been better. The controller that comes with it is pretty nice for my small rig.

12/30/2014, 03:05 PM	#1
JammyBirch Aquaria Engineering Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Elkland, PA Posts: 1,182	Added new corals to my nano... Just added a red cap, a krypton candy and a maze brain coral...got the lights down low and everything should be fine I hope. The LFS was ripping my setup apart, I was getting pretty ticked off honestly. Told me my Jeboa power head was junk and my value fixture was too, all kinds of stuff. Anyway the thing he mentioned about my specific gravity actually got me thinking. I run it at 1.026, spec gravity gauge, he promptly told me that was junk too and that I should be using a refractometer instead. Is that too high? I probably will move to a refractometer but should the spec gravity be 1.024 instead. My rear end is a little chapped from this guy, luckily the owner is a great guy and I will only work with him in the future. The corals, tanks, fish and prices are unbelievable so it's worth it to not punch the help in the face...lol __________________ 25g cube, split 10g sump with refugium, Jebao RW4, reefbreeder value Livestock adds: Osc Clowns, Royal Gramma, Pygmy Cherub Angel, Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, Serpent Brittle Star Current Tank Info: 25 gallon cube

12/30/2014, 03:10 PM	#2
1MP3R1AL Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: VA/DC/MD Posts: 299	He was probably calling your equipment junk because he wanted to sell you something. He might work off of commission. If your equipment is working for you that's all that matters. Personally I don't think jeoba is junk at all. Pretty good stuff. .026 is perfect for fish and coral to thrive. And refractometers are a very good investment. You can find one for around 30 online. __________________ 24X24X12 Mixed : T5 / 13UP lighting \| Apex \| MP10 \| SCA-301 \| WW/CW/UV Sump Lighting \| DIY dosers 20L AIO SPS frag tank : UV/CW/WW/R/B/L/P LED - GONE

12/30/2014, 03:24 PM	#4
coralsnaked Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Austin / Port Aransas, TX Posts: 1,479	1.026 SP is great...however if the hydrometer is incorrect (and they frequently can be) it could easily put you on the high side of normal. Best $30 you can make in your reef tank is an investment in a refractometer. Just be sure to get a reef meter for measuring Natural Sea Water and not a meter for food or alcohol production. __________________ Merry Skerry Current Tank Info: 1 G Nano jellyfish to 1200 G Bull Nose FOWLR featuring large Holacanthus and Pomacanthus

12/30/2014, 04:05 PM	#6
JammyBirch Aquaria Engineering Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Elkland, PA Posts: 1,182	How does auto temperature compensation work on refractometers? __________________ 25g cube, split 10g sump with refugium, Jebao RW4, reefbreeder value Livestock adds: Osc Clowns, Royal Gramma, Pygmy Cherub Angel, Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, Serpent Brittle Star Current Tank Info: 25 gallon cube

12/30/2014, 06:34 PM	#11
JammyBirch Aquaria Engineering Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Elkland, PA Posts: 1,182	What model are you guys using, I see BRS has one, RedSea has one also and amazon has a ton around $30. All of the ones I'm looking at have calibration fluid included. The only gripe I have with the Jebao is I have the wp10 model and really would like more flow, prolly the wp25 would have been better. The controller that comes with it is pretty nice for my small rig. __________________ 25g cube, split 10g sump with refugium, Jebao RW4, reefbreeder value Livestock adds: Osc Clowns, Royal Gramma, Pygmy Cherub Angel, Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, Serpent Brittle Star Current Tank Info: 25 gallon cube

12/30/2014, 04:59 PM	#8
Teenreefer15 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: New Jersey Posts: 479	I think he just wanted to sell you stuff from their place. Don't worry you don't need to rush out and buy new stuff. If it works for you its fine. Jebao is also pretty good in my opinion. However I do run my tank at 1.026 and thats where it should be for corals, but I do use a refractometer. Usually hydrometers don't read properly unless calibrated properly which is hard to do because you buy them for so cheap. I would go on amazon or BRS and invest $30 or even $100 for a refractometer. I say $100 because those digital refractometers look pretty slick.