Specific gravity and hydrometer headache

[DerrickLim]

Hi friends,

Before I talk about my problems, allow me to disclaim that I know hydrometer is not an accurate device to measure SG. My refractormeter from EBay has not arrived yet.

My Deep Six hydrometer has been showing very consistent reading (10+ reading over 2 weeks shows the same result) although I know the true value might be different. It has been consistently showing 1.020. I have read that the SG should be around 1.020++ for FOWLR. No fish in the FOWLR tank yet, in case you wonder.

I went to a marine fish store today to buy 2 clown fish and measured the SG of the water there with the same hydrometer. It is consistently showing 1.013 to 1.014 there via 4 readings.

My question: Do I reduce the SG of main tank to the 1.014 reading of my hydrometer?

The 2 clowns are now in acclimatisation tank btw with 1.013 SG for the time being till some of you can offer me some advice.

Next question, any kind soul staying in BT Panjang/Chua Chu Kang can lend me your refractormeter (I bring the water sample to your place) to allow me to know the true SG of my main tank?

Thanks in advance!

[youdontnowm]

Not sure about yours. My corallife deep six hydrometer always shows 1.0235 while my refracto shows 1.025 Very consistent, hydrometer of mine always 0.0015 below the reading of my refracto And you bringing the water sample over to get tested, wont be accurate leh The temperature will affect the reading.

[DerrickLim]

If my hydrometer is reasonably accurate, I will have 2nd thought before buying fish from that shop again.

[DerrickLim]

With regards to the temperature, I basically need to know the offset between my hydrometer and refractormeter at the same temperature. I guess I won't need a 3 decimal place accuracy for now.

[artxakis]

hi bro

the hydrometer shud have the "within safe range" indicator. if follow the range shud be fine even if its different from the standard "1.025"