Expert: Bill Bergovoy - 4/16/2009

Question
my salt level in my tank is 1.030, i need to know if this means i need to add salt to my aquarium or if it has to much salt.   thank you

Answer
Hello Kitty,

Canyou please tell me how you measure your 'salinity'/ salt level / S.G. (specific gravity)??

If you are using a 'cheaper' hydrometer, (the plastic thing with the swing arm inside), then PLEASE take it to the fish store and compere it to there meters/test kits..

Those things are so innacurate it isnt funny, BUT, if you can compare it to a real tool, then you will know to 'compensate' for it when you test your water

If you have the spectrometer, (the microscope/telescope looking thing), then please let me know when it was last calibrated, and how it was calibrated?  (did you or someone use water, or some other 'known' solution?

Obviously, I am trying to determing the acuracy of your test result.

A result of 1.030 is HIGH.  (not lethal high), but high enough to take measure to reduce the tank to the correct SG slowly..

(I would do a water change, normal size, and instead of adding salt water, I would add fresh water)

Then measure the salinity again, and do another water change tomorrow, and so one)


Normal salinity should be 1.025 or 1.026  or 35ppm


You can buy the spectrometer device on ebay for about $25.. to calibrate it, i suggest buying calibration solution at 53 ms  or  35ppm



Good luck, and pleaes let me know how things work out



Bill