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AnneRiceBowl · Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 9:05 am Post subject: How to Test for Salinity?

I am setting up a shrimp rearing tank. I need to know how to test for salinity in a 10 gallon tank. How do I do that?

MelonHead · Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 10:21 am Post subject:

Anne:

Wish I could answer! Embarassed

Our saltwater guy is mid-move and I haven't heard from him. If we don't soon, we may have to choose another admin...hope not.

clunkster · Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 12:30 pm Post subject:

You need a hydrometer, which is available from your lfs

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i dont keep fish i keep water that fish can live in what do you do ?

AnneRiceBowl · Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 2:44 pm Post subject:

Thanks clunk! What about a refractometer? What is that for? Isn't that for testing gravity?

clunkster · Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 3:22 pm Post subject:

Not that i am aware of, as far as i am aware a refractometer measures the extent to which light is bent (i.e. refracted)

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i dont keep fish i keep water that fish can live in what do you do ?

AnneRiceBowl · Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 5:59 pm Post subject:

Eh...oh yeah. I think I was thinking of something else. Well, what else do I need to test salt water to make sure the water parameters are in check?

clunkster · Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 6:33 pm Post subject:

What are you wanting to check for ? Brackish or marine

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i dont keep fish i keep water that fish can live in what do you do ?

AnneRiceBowl · Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 9:25 pm Post subject:

It's been suggested that I try to maintain a salinity of 1.012-1.014 sg or to try 12-13 ppt. (What does the "sg" and "ppt" mean?)

clunkster · Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2006 7:08 am Post subject:

AnneRiceBowl wrote:

It's been suggested that I try to maintain a salinity of 1.012-1.014 sg or to try 12-13 ppt. (What does the "sg" and "ppt" mean?)

The ppt referes to parts per thousand (ppt or 0/000) I asume the sg referes to the salt gravity, there are several ways to measure salinity, but it can not be measured directly. The most common way that we as aquarists measure, is to measure the density of the saltwater, which referes to its mass per unit volume and is expressed as grams per milliliter (g/ml). Which is what you use a hydrometer for.

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i dont keep fish i keep water that fish can live in what do you do ?

wooz29 · Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2006 7:38 pm Post subject:

AnneRiceBowl wrote:

Thanks clunk! What about a refractometer? What is that for? Isn't that for testing gravity?

I would go with the refractometer. It measures SG & salinity and is much more accurate than a hydrometer. Dr F&S have one for 42.99 (the same one I have & it works great. Just my .02 Laughing

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"Have you the brain worms?!" Invader Zim

AnneRiceBowl · Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 10:07 am Post subject:

Well, I went with a hydrometer. PW was out of refractometers, and I can't cough up that much money right now.

KissKiss Girl · Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 1:07 am Post subject:

If you need help learing how to use it, bring it into the store and I will teach you. Make sure that it is clean and dry in between uses. Also, make sure that there are no air bubbles.
At a recent OMS meeting, all of the different brands of hydrometers where tested at the zoo and all seemed to be extremly effective. Good news, because I can't afford one either!! Ha Ha.

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Way to go Stupid!

AnneRiceBowl · Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 6:20 am Post subject:

LOL KKG, I may swing by the store this weekend or early next week.

killingt1m3 · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 4:57 am Post subject:

Yeah, those are all great responses and I couldn't agree anymore with all the posts. Just remember that in such a small tank you're going to have to keep an eye on that salinity quite a bit Very Happy

My opinion; refractometers, hydrometers, they all get the job done. As long as you keep them all well calibrated you shouldn't run into any issues. Like Haley said, keep them well cleaned with R/O between uses and it'll save you some headaches later Razz

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Chris is back and ready for action! YEAH!

AnneRiceBowl · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 7:11 am Post subject:

I definitely need some help reading the thing. KKG, I'll be in the store early next week with it.