SG level low?

[ngjaso]

Hi reefer

I'm using NSW for my cycling but the sg level seem a bit low only 1.017+. How can I increase it? Or maybe my hydrometer not accurate cos using those cheapo one only $7+

[asg]

Add your own salt or wait for evaporation

[xiggie]

Your hydrometer is not accurate .. Seriously ,

Do not add salt , go calibrate the hydrometer or get a refractometer.

Trust the NSW , it should be 1.025. If your hydrometer reads 1.017 ... Than It's off by that much ,

[veliferium]

Normal for nsw to have slightly lower salinity than salt mix, better to seek a second opinion

In the meantime, you can either wait for evaporation and measure again. Also can do water changes with higher salinity to raise

[xiggie]

Get an accurate hydrometer or refractometer before adding salt to your NSW . You don't want to end up with a salt mix with an actual sg of 1.033

[Sherilyn91]

yes agree.. previously i use hyro before.. showing 0.17 when its 0.25.. ended up with 0.33 after i get a reflextometer.. its a good investment..

[RayL]

Agree. Nsw is almost always 1.025.

[ngjaso]

Thank u all for the advise. Will look for a refractometer b4 adding salt. Will be doing a water change n complete the cycling process.

[ngjaso]

Btw, any bro selling their refractometer?

[sherman]

Get some reefer live near you to verify. Where you stay?

[ngjaso]

Sengkang fernvale lane

[xiggie]

Don't need to be exact , use the NSW as reference , ask the a seller what's the salinity lvl.. Then calculate from there , if u get 1.017 for NSW which is 1.025 then just use the hydrometer and get 1.017 for every salt mix that y do.

[asg]

Bro, vast majority of reefers dont use NSW for a good reason... NO3 PO4 trace element of dont know what eggs of dont know what, all these might just be in one bag of it and your tank will be ...

[ngjaso]

Really!! Didn't know that... Thanks for the advise, will do salt mix the next time

[Solo77]

There is pro and con. So it depends on your preference and convenience.

[ngjaso]

Got it. Thanks for all the good advice.

[marineph]

Hi,

Just to share my past experience... I was using NSW for a few years because that gives me the excuse to go visit the farms. However, the water is not always stable. After I switched to salt mix, the water is much more stable for the old and even new livestocks. The three things I take care of are the SG level, the purified water, and the time taken to dissolve/mix the salt.

I can still go to the farms and need not carry the NSW home anymore. Just need more space at home for storing big pails for mixing use and a spare pump.

[PowderTang]

Hello Facing the same problem. Been using hydrometer all these while until yesterday when I got myself a refractometer, it was measured as 1.031 sg when I thought it was 1.024 all along! Will there be any damage to the corals if I drop my sg to 0.002 each day? Wonder if sg reaches 1.030 and above, any consequences to the corals in the long run?

[asg]

Hydrometer reading are default at 25oC. So for those reefers who are not using chiller might need to see conversion chart.

But i also scare liao, better buy a refractometer next time round.

[IshDeOne]

Better to use refractometer n ur own salt mix bro. I had a couple of issues with hydrometers n they r just useless in my opinon. Save ur money n tyme, just invest in a refractometer.. N its better to mix ur own salt as u r able to know what goes into ur 'tank water'. Saves the trouble of going up & down for NSW too. My 2cent opinion bro. Happy reefing

[Ccccz]

bro, I previously used NSW. eventually switched to Saltmix and RO water, No turning back. best investment in my personal opinion of course.

[ngjaso]

Thanks bro.

Btw, know of anyone who want to sell their refractometer? Try to get a 2nd hand to save some cost.

Thanks

[vincegoh]

NSW may be stored in the open and thus it can be diluted when it rain. Get a refractometer. If it indicate too low, top up with salt. Pro and con in using NSW. I have a 5.5' tank so use NSW is suitable. Too troublesome to mix salt. So far it is ok if your system is setup properly. Small tank can use mixed salt as it is more controlled which is a must for small tank since there is less buffer for changes.