Oceanic Hydrometer?

drillsar · 05/11/2013, 11:41 AM

The arm isnt moving at all, so Im wondering if this thing work. Directions say for first time submerge for 24 hours. There is no reading and I added salt.

I will be getting a refractometer but wanted to start tank before that.

spieszak · 05/11/2013, 11:48 AM

If you are just mixing to cycle, I personally would just go with the 1/2 cup per gallon most salt mixes recommend (or maybe a little more, not less because the recommendation mixes to 1.021)... it should be close enough to cycle... and should get you started. Then maybe see the LFS and have them test. That is if you are planning to have the refractometer within a week or two..

Sk8r · 05/11/2013, 12:05 PM

Measure your salt and water carefully and you should be fine. Hydrometers are 17th century, about as efficient as the Galileo thermometer. THey work in a pinch. But.

drillsar · 05/11/2013, 12:24 PM

Yes I know the hydrometers are not accurate. Thanks I did the 1/2 cup per gallon. I will take it to my LFS to get checked.

thegrun · 05/11/2013, 04:34 PM

do yourself a favor and purchase a refractometer and a bottle of calibration fluid.

sporto0 · 05/11/2013, 04:41 PM

Get a Coralife swing arm Hydrometer, $6-$8, much better than the Oceanic, I have both, so I know, I also have a glass hydrometer & a Refractometer, the Coralife swing arm is quite accurate when all is said & done.

05/11/2013, 11:41 AM	#1
drillsar Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West Orange, NJ Posts: 2,838	Oceanic Hydrometer? The arm isnt moving at all, so Im wondering if this thing work. Directions say for first time submerge for 24 hours. There is no reading and I added salt. I will be getting a refractometer but wanted to start tank before that.

05/11/2013, 11:48 AM	#2
spieszak Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,877	If you are just mixing to cycle, I personally would just go with the 1/2 cup per gallon most salt mixes recommend (or maybe a little more, not less because the recommendation mixes to 1.021)... it should be close enough to cycle... and should get you started. Then maybe see the LFS and have them test. That is if you are planning to have the refractometer within a week or two.. __________________ I'm new to this saltwater thing, all comments should be taken with a BUCKET of salt! :-) -Stacey

05/11/2013, 12:05 PM	#3
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Measure your salt and water carefully and you should be fine. Hydrometers are 17th century, about as efficient as the Galileo thermometer. THey work in a pinch. But. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

05/11/2013, 12:24 PM	#4
drillsar Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West Orange, NJ Posts: 2,838	Yes I know the hydrometers are not accurate. Thanks I did the 1/2 cup per gallon. I will take it to my LFS to get checked.

05/11/2013, 04:34 PM	#5
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	do yourself a favor and purchase a refractometer and a bottle of calibration fluid.

05/11/2013, 04:41 PM	#6
sporto0 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Posts: 2,924	Get a Coralife swing arm Hydrometer, $6-$8, much better than the Oceanic, I have both, so I know, I also have a glass hydrometer & a Refractometer, the Coralife swing arm is quite accurate when all is said & done.