Deep Six is driving me insane....HELP

Y

yae4volcom

Guest
Ok so maybe if you are reading this you think I am pathetic for not being able to use a simple hydrometer but its just giving me different results every time I try and use it. I submerge the huydrometer to the point where the water is slowly flowing over the bar. When its full the arrow is a around.24 and then settles back down at .16-.17
So which on is it? The very first and brief reading or the constant very low level? Sorry for the stupid question:(
 
armageddon

armageddon

Member
Make sure there are no bubbles attached to the arm. I used to flick mine a couple times to get the bubbles off. Make sure its at the right water level and just set it down and wait for it to reach a reading.
 
aarone

aarone

Active Member
i think you need to let the deep six sit with water in it for 24 hours to break it in.
aaron
 
Y

yae4volcom

Guest
ARgggg
I have done a couple tests now and without bubbles it says
.14-.16 I just don't see how this can be right....
Should I add more salt?
Is there any other way I can test the salinity of my water?
 
tagg

tagg

Member
If your mixing the salt and testing the water before the salt has had enough to totaly disolve, you will get screwy readings also.
Tagg____
 
cprdnick

cprdnick

Active Member
take the sample to denver and see if it matches to your reading. (unless there's an LFS closer to you.)
 
stillfrodo

stillfrodo

Member
IMO and I have stated this before invest in a decent refractometer. It has also been said on this board that when you get into QT and hyposalinity you are not going to have the accuracy that a refractometer gives. I have seen an excellent one go for around 39 bucks. Again just my opinion but this is not a piece of equiptment where you should be saving a few bucks.
 
dreeves

dreeves

Active Member
Get yourself a couple of glass hydrometers...use them both and average the results...when you get lots of extra cash...get a refractor..
 
calvindo

calvindo

Member
mine always have bubbles stuck on the arm. simply just bang it against something :D to get the bubble off the arm
 
jhc

jhc

New Member
You may want to check it against another hydrometer. I had problems early on with livestock dying and then checked my hydrometer with one at the LFS and found mine consistently read .7 lower than the others.
JHC
 
dburr

dburr

Active Member
Glass hydrometers are not accurate either. Both should be tested against a refractometer. Take the swing arm to a LFS and let them show you where the reading is.
Use a marker to mark where your sweet spot is. Recheck it every 6 months or so.
Always tap the side of the swing arm to get the bubbbles out.
HTH, Dan
 
cindyski

cindyski

Active Member

Originally posted by aarone
i think you need to let the deep six sit with water in it for 24 hours to break it in.
aaron
yes, FRESHWATER not salt ;)
 
aarone

aarone

Active Member
Wait why would you measure FW SG? Or do you let it sit for 24 hours with FW? My lfs just told me to do this if i was going to buy one.
aaron
 
cindyski

cindyski

Active Member
aaron
the package says to fill it i with freshwater for 24 hours before using it.
not to measure FW SG :D
 
dburr

dburr

Active Member
Glass hydrometers have been around a very, very long time...they can be accurate enough.
Swing arms can be accurate too, if (a big if) you get the right one.;)
They all very to some degree.
Get yourself a couple of glass hydrometers...use them both and average the results..
And, I think tou already agreed with me.:p
Dan
 
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