Specific Gravity/Salinity

Question
Alright, I have been trying to get an aquarium setup for about a week now and am having difficulty getting my specific gravity in recommended ranges. I have added salt each time it is too low, and then it goes up temporarily, but by the next day, is at 0 again... I have added the recommended amount (25 cups for a 50 gallon tank) and then some. The filter has been recently changed and the temperature is kept at a strict 75. Any words of wisdom?

Answer
Hi Jason,

Some advice I can give you is the following below:

Make sure you are using a good quality synthetic salt mix, like SeaChem's Reef Salt, see the link below:

http://www.ocreef.com/seachem_reef_salt-50_gallon_mix_bag_case_of_3?category_id=...

Make sure you are using a device that is in good working condition to measure the salt levels in your aquarium, see the links below:

http://www.ocreef.com/hydrometers_refractometers

http://www.ocreef.com/coralife_deep_six_hydrometer?category_id=44

http://www.ocreef.com/milwaukee_instruments_salinity_refractometer?category_id=4...

In conclusion, don't give up, keep trying, and retrace your steps, eventually you'll figure out what you need to do differently.

P.S. Write me back on here to let me know when and how you finally got your aquarium to have a salinity reading.

Best Regards,
Dave

All Experts - Editor