The refractometer is king now! These devices are now mass produced and are finally available at just a couple dollars more than a hydrometer. These devices are extremely inaccurate and unreliable if you have one of these please throw it out. Nearly every person who gets into this hobby will originally buy a little plastic contraption that has a swing arm called a hydrometer.
Marine aquarium supply how to#
The refractometer is the clear winner on how to measure the salinity of your tank. Retail Price: $8.99-$49.99 Click here to purchase on Amazon.
20% water-changes every other week will help keep your tank happy and healthy. Always make sure to have an extra salt mix on hand for future water changes and emergencies. Tap water can be used in a pinch but is never recommended and can cause undesirable effects such as ongoing battles with undesirable algae. We recommend using RO/DI water or distilled water. Keeping your tank at a stable salinity is very important as swings over 0.01 can stress and even kill your tanks inhabitants. The natural seawater (NSW) at our reef has a specific gravity of 1.026 or 35 ppt, all our holding tanks also match this level and we recommend this level for your tank as well. Use a refractometer to accurately measure the salinity. Available in 5 different sizes.ĪRC Reef Tips: Always mix salt first before adding it to your tank.
The high availability of this salt mix and low cost also help bring it in for the win, it can be found at most fish stores, pet chain stores, and Amazon. The mix is processed to very strict tolerances so every batch will be uniform. It contains higher levels of calcium, magnesium, and trace elements which aids in coral growth and will help the formation of new coralline algae. Instant Ocean Reef Crystals Reef Salt is our recommended salt mix.