Need help with hydrometer

[pufferdaddy]

I finally got my hydrometer in the mail today and am going down to buy some sea salt. After looking at the dydromter I realized I don't know how to use the thing. It sure sounded easier when everyone said that FW is 1.000 and make small increments at .002. My hydrometer doesnt have a 1.000 line, so I don't know where to start.

Here is how it is laid out:

40 1.030 Top
38 1.028
36 1.026
1.025
1.024
1.023
1.022
1.022
1.021
1.020
1.019
1.018
1.017
1.016
20 1.014
17 1.012
15 1.010 Bottom Line

I was hoping to get some salt in it tonight, but don't know how to read this thing. Please help.

[penpitt]

You have a swingarm style hydroimeter and when the water is in it, the needle will point to the SG that the tank is at.Many of the swingarm style hydrometers do not have a setting for a sg under 1.010 as you found out. There is a model that does go to 1.000 as well as floating hydrometers but that does little for you now.. If you are going for a tankwide SG you will have to do a little math.
Lets say you have a 55 gallon tank and want to get a tank SG at 1.002. If you premix a 5 gallon bucket of water and adjust the SG in it to 1.020 and slowly pour it into the 55, after it is diluted you should have a SG of approximately 1.002.Of couse it would be better to do more water at a lower SG to reduce the impact on your biofilter, like 10 gallons at 1.010. This is an approximation because it depends on the water volume of the tank and any decorations, substrate, etc. will reduce the actual water volume.

[Jayhawk]

Instant Ocean's hydrometer goes to 1.000 (the swing arm one).

Eric

[Pufferpunk]

You have bought the wrong hydrometer. Return it for one that starts at 1.000.

[Tihsho]

I remember having that problem

Yeah, the instant ocean hydrometer is the one to get. It starts at 1.000 SG