Salinity Changing??

I am new to the saltwater world. I have always wanted to take it on but was too intimidated. Recently I have purchased a 75 gallon tank and have just went for it. I mixed my own saltwater using Instant Ocean. Since doing this I have checked my salinity in the tank with the hydrometer that I purchased but I am getting different readings just about every time. Sometimes too high, other times too low. I’m checking from different water depths also. I have a flu al canister filter going, today is Day 4.

 

You need a refractometer to get decent readings from all I have heard...Make sure it is for aquaria [SG] and not BEER [Brix]..If you get wrong one you will have to convert for ever ..
Being it is pretty important I went digital years ago[Hanna] and have not looked back ..

 

I am new to the saltwater world. I have always wanted to take it on but was too intimidated. Recently I have purchased a 75 gallon tank and have just went for it. I mixed my own saltwater using Instant Ocean. Since doing this I have checked my salinity in the tank with the hydrometer that I purchased but I am getting different readings just about every time. Sometimes too high, other times too low. I’m checking from different water depths also. I have a flu al canister filter going, today is Day 4.

Unfortunately "just went for it" is not a good way to approach saltwater. Lots of research beforehand is key.

Hydrometers are notoriously inaccurate. A decent Refractometer from Amazon will run you $19 and is much more accurate. Also Canister Filters are the most trouble prone filtration method for marine tanks. They are very prone to trapping the nasties and becoming out of control nitrate factories.

I suggest taking a look at this vid which covers the differences between Marine and Freshwater tanks. There are far more differences than similarities and many bad habits to unlearn:

 

Thank you for the video, lots of good info yes. When I said I just went for it, didn’t mean I just woke up one day and decided to start a tank.I have actually researched it quite a bit before I “went for it”. In my experience, most things are better when you can continue to learn and get good advice from those who have actually done it.

 

Thank you for the video, lots of good info yes. When I said I just went for it, didn’t mean I just woke up one day and decided to start a tank.I have actually researched it quite a bit before I “went for it”. In my experience, most things are better when you can continue to learn and get good advice from those who have actually done it.

Oh okay, when I see phrases like "just went for it" I translate that to someone who is heading in the wrong direction fast.