refractometer

[bigmoose]

i just started cycleing my brack tank iwas testing my salt levels with a deep six hydrometer i let it sit for 24hrs b4 i useed it and still having hard time tryin to get to work i want to order a portable refracto they say its easy to use. help!!!!!!!!! i used cycle to help cycle tank what esle do i need to cycle

[Grey]

Don't Pannick
Like I said earlier I don't have any Brackish water experience, but from what I have learned from past experiences with marine I might be able to help some.
First and foremost make sure that hydrometer measures lower SG, your specific gravity may be lower than what the hydrometer was designed for.
Sometimes when I checked the SG on my marine tanks I'd forget(actually just to lazy) to rinse it out real good and the salt would make it stick.
I found running hot water in it for a few minutes or until the gauge started moving easily and freely worked.
Make sure the pointer(gauge) moves freely and easily otherwise you can't trust that your hydrometer is working accurately.
The guage should just flop around whenever you turn the hydrometer upside down or jiggle it.
I've read that mollies are easily adaptable to brackish water conditions and are hardy fish that can help cycle a tank and easily survive the cycle period.

Please do tell what the brand of your hydrometer and what SG's it measures.
Joe

[CtHM]

Isn't the Deep Six a specific for the "Instant ocean" brand? I could be wrong.

[Pufferpunk]

I don't believe it is. First, do you know what the SG is that they are keeping the puffer at in the shop? That's the SG you should be cycling your tank at (usually BW puffers are kept in FW at most shops). 2nd, the product, Cycle, does nothing to cycle your tank. All it contains is dead bacteria. It's a total waste of $$$. Check out the Fishless Cycling article in our Library.

[mikeosoft]

A portable refractometer will be much more accurate than the hydrometer. They can be purchased for $50-$75 on the internet. You are correct, they are very easy to use. Just drop the water on the glass, close the top and read through the eye-piece.

[Pufferpunk]

I paid $35 for mine from Ebay.

[bigmoose]

pufferpunk i read the fishless cycle in library it souned a lil to hard to do so i went with bio spira and mollies and once i get refractometer is it hard to calibrate and what do i do thank u!

[Hilly]

refractometers are easy to calibrate. Bit of distilled water in the pack and a screwdriver, if its off when you put the distilled water in just adjust it with the screwdriver provided to 1.000 and that is it.

[bigmoose]

thank u hilly