jaysix79

Hi everyone....

I have a 26 gallon tank up and running for cycling for 3 days.... I did everything that I’m suppose to (to my knowledge)... now I'm trying to read my hydrometer and its reading low. before i do anything, my question is does it matter how deep you install your hydrometer in the tank?... the instruction that my hydrometer by red sea came with saying that I have to install the hydrometer with the inlet and outlet of water just below the water level.. I tried my best to up it just below. so I installed the unit all the way to the top which is now touching the rim of my tank. and the inlet and outlet of the unit is sitting about half an inch below the water level.

Would I get a different reading if I install it up high than in the middle of the tank or gravel level??

Thanks for the help everyone....




by the way i tried googling... the only thing that came up are hydrometers for sale

beachcomber

Hi, I'm not sure what kind of hydrometer you have. Just so we are all on the same page, my hydrometer is a dip style with a float fro m Red Sea. It sounds like you have something a little more complex; does it have a digital readout or something? I mean it must give constant readings ? anyhow, the middle of the tank is always a good medium if your're not sure. I would just add that you should always use the same spot.(for consistency)

jaysix79

this is my hydrometer...... i should've posted a pic earlier... thanks the input beachcomber..

Shock

I have that hydrometer as well! I use it buy removing the bottom black plug and putting it about halfway down my tank on the opposite side of the water movement so that doesn't really affect it.

beachcomber

Hi, I'm not sure why you would want this hanging in your tank all the time. As long as you test in the same location each time for consistency, It is ok to to dip and test, rinse out the hydrometer and place it upside down to dry on some paper towel. I test my tank daily, but I don't like all kinds of stuff hanging around in there. Also, by rinsing daily, you can prevent sedimentry build up or salt build up on the float, which could give innaccurate readings. Hope this helps.

beachcomber

Shock, with all due respect,If you were to hang the hydrometer in the tank permanetly, wouldn't you want water flow through your hydrometer so that the everchanging levels would show? I think you would be testing stagnent water after a couple of days, not sure

Shock

I'm sorry I think you misunderstood. The hydrometer isn't in my tank right now. I don't leave it in all the time, only to test.

jaysix79

i'm confuse now... should i be leaving this hydrometer in my tank or not?. i have an impression that this kinda of hydrometer is the type were you just leave it somewhere in the tank and read it in daily basis...

beachcomber

So me says, I'll kill me two birds wit one stone. Shock, apologies, glad it's not in the tank all the time And Jaysix79, no although the hydrometer is technically designed to be in the tank, the theory is flawed. It's better to keep it clean and dry, and remember, to always take samples from the same spot when you test.

jaysix79

so what im suppose to do is... dip the whole thing in the water till its full... and place is on a flat surface and do my reading??

Shock

use the suction cup to make sure it's level, Place it on a spot with a little circulation but not too much otherwise the current will mess with the needle. Do this at least twice a week to make sure your salinty is stable.

locoyo386

Few questions;
1.) do you prepare your own salt?
2.) did you get the hydrometer because of price?

If you do not mix your own water, than the hydrometer is kind of not needed. If you do mix your own saltwater, than you do need a way to test for salinity. In my experience any floating needle hydrometer (which is what you have) tend to become inacurate after a while. Reason being that salt particles occumulate in the needle mechanism and keep it from floating properly. They need to be rinsed often with running fresh water to disloge (or prevent salt particles from ataching to needle) any salt particles that remain in the hydrometer. If you can afford a refractometer it would make it alot simpler took read and maintain. They can cost around $30 to $50.

Shock

Hydrometers are always good to have because of evaporation IMO.

jaysix79

cool thanks for the reply and input guys... would it be a good idea to live my hydrometer in the tank while my tank is cycling?

locoyo386

Why is that? The water evaporating is what will go back into the tank, how does that change salinity of the tank? Well it might, over a very long period of time, like several years and only very minimal.

locoyo386

Not going to harm anything, but keep in mind that it will have bacteria grow on the surface of it and when you remove it it will be gone. I think it will be very minimal compared to the rest of the tank though. It should be fine.