Does salinity level change with temperature?
- Thread starter lil.guppy
- Start date
pbienkiewi
Member
Originally Posted by lil.guppy
http:///forum/post/3007431
Well I am starting to pre-mix my saltwater like ya'll said.
I let it sit for 24 hours and now its saying its 23. The water is cold obviously so should I warm it up and test it before adding more salt or does temperature not matter?
In saltwater aquariums, it is not the salinity of water which is measured, but the density often expressed as specific gravity or S.G. The saltier the water, the higher its density. Density does also varies according to temperature. It goes down as the temperature goes up. We try to keep a relatively constant 77 - 79 degrees in aquariums. The density, expressed as specific gravity, a value which we try to keep in a range between 1.022 and 1.024.
Think of it as if you add 15 scoops of tea to a cold cup of water. Then add the same 15 scoops to a hot cup of water. The cold cup of tea will have a higher concentration of tea compared to the hot cup of tea. It disolves better in the hot cup of water compared to the cold one.
http:///forum/post/3007431
Well I am starting to pre-mix my saltwater like ya'll said.
I let it sit for 24 hours and now its saying its 23. The water is cold obviously so should I warm it up and test it before adding more salt or does temperature not matter?
In saltwater aquariums, it is not the salinity of water which is measured, but the density often expressed as specific gravity or S.G. The saltier the water, the higher its density. Density does also varies according to temperature. It goes down as the temperature goes up. We try to keep a relatively constant 77 - 79 degrees in aquariums. The density, expressed as specific gravity, a value which we try to keep in a range between 1.022 and 1.024.
Think of it as if you add 15 scoops of tea to a cold cup of water. Then add the same 15 scoops to a hot cup of water. The cold cup of tea will have a higher concentration of tea compared to the hot cup of tea. It disolves better in the hot cup of water compared to the cold one.
pezenfuego
Active Member
That really just depends on what you're testing it with. Refractometers generally have ATC (automatic temperature compensation). When testing with a refractometer, you usually don't have to worry about the temperature. However with a hydrometer, you should test the S.G. and the temperature...then use a conversion chart...
Or you could just wait until the new water is the temp of your tank and make sure the salinity is the same. Remember you are not out for that "perfect" number, you are out for perfect consistency. Good Luck and keep mixin' that water
Or you could just wait until the new water is the temp of your tank and make sure the salinity is the same. Remember you are not out for that "perfect" number, you are out for perfect consistency. Good Luck and keep mixin' that water
locoyo386
Member
Hi there,
As I understand it; the amount of disolved salt in set volume of water does not change due to the water temperature. If you have 34 parts per million (ppm) of disolved salt in a water column of set volume, than it says you have 34 parts of disolved salt in 1 million parts of water. This ratio does not change with change of temperature. As stated above what changes is the desity of the salt water. When we measure salinty or specific gravity with an instrument, we have to compensate for the change in temperature. As long as the instrument is calibrated and at a specific temperature (and the tank is at this temperature) and no water has evaporated (nearly impossible) than you will read the same value for salinity and specific gravity.
This is why when you buy a refractometer you should buy one that has automatic temperature compasation feture.
As I understand it; the amount of disolved salt in set volume of water does not change due to the water temperature. If you have 34 parts per million (ppm) of disolved salt in a water column of set volume, than it says you have 34 parts of disolved salt in 1 million parts of water. This ratio does not change with change of temperature. As stated above what changes is the desity of the salt water. When we measure salinty or specific gravity with an instrument, we have to compensate for the change in temperature. As long as the instrument is calibrated and at a specific temperature (and the tank is at this temperature) and no water has evaporated (nearly impossible) than you will read the same value for salinity and specific gravity.
This is why when you buy a refractometer you should buy one that has automatic temperature compasation feture.
fishstick4sale
Member
i have a refractometer with the temp auto feature... when i test it, it reads 1.029 but my hydrometer reads 1.023.. i calibrated my refractometer with r/o water. but the r/o is colder than my tank water what should i do? whih should i beleive...