Hydrometer/refractometer - oh and my xenia

[jpjae]

Hi All,
just wanted to get your opinions on hydrometers/refractometers - or at least some advice as how to make sure I am getting the right readings with the hydro.
I have a instant ocean hydrometer that the aquarium people swear works - I've been having problems getting stable readings. I am thinking of switching to a refractometer but not sure if I am going to be disappointed with the consistency of readings with that as well - any thoughts?
Also, I've recently added a small grouping of xenia to my tank - and they are starting to look a bit withered - the AQ guys said iodine would help - any thought about that?

Thanks!

 

[ophiura]

A refractometer hands down is far more accurate than a hydrometer. No doubt, no question, no argument.
I am not a fan of adding ANYTHING to a tank, let alone a nano, without measuring it. So if they didn't give you the bottle, and hand you an iodine test kit at the same time, then they are off base.
IMO, Xenia is hit or miss. I can keep the close relative - Anthelia, like mad...its overgrown everything. But I can't keep Xenia at all. So in some tanks it is just not happy.
I would say do a water change and see if it perks up.

 

[tx reef]

Originally Posted by ophiura
A refractometer hands down is far more accurate than a hydrometer. No doubt, no question, no argument.
I would rephrase this statement. A hydrometer is every bit as accurate as the salt/brine refractometers sold in the hobby. The problem is the person using the hydrometer does not usually know about temperature compensation.....
I will agree that the refractometer is easier to use. When I got my refractometer (and calibrating it with calibration fluid), it measured the same as my hydrometer........
A refractometer made for seawater is more accurate than the floating glass and needle hydrometers, though......unless you are using a long lab grade floating glass hydrometer that is. Then you could once again equal the great and mighty refractometer......

 

[ophiura]

I would say that many common swing arm hydrometers are not manufactured consistently or with standards like that found in refractometers. Additionally, they are very prone to user error, bubbles and further error due to maintenance issues.
My swing arm hydrometer, and I would say most people use a swing arm as opposed to a good quality glass hydrometer, was quite off versus of refractometer.
So I will rephrase that it is far more accurate than the plastic swing arm hydrometers used in the hobby, as a general rule, IMO.

 

[perfectdark]

Originally Posted by JPJae
Hi All,
just wanted to get your opinions on hydrometers/refractometers - or at least some advice as how to make sure I am getting the right readings with the hydro.
I have a instant ocean hydrometer that the aquarium people swear works - I've been having problems getting stable readings. I am thinking of switching to a refractometer but not sure if I am going to be disappointed with the consistency of readings with that as well - any thoughts?
Also, I've recently added a small grouping of xenia to my tank - and they are starting to look a bit withered - the AQ guys said iodine would help - any thought about that?

Thanks!

YES Along with trace elements Iodine is essential to your Xenia as well as other corals too. You may also want to test for Calcium too as its important to maintain 400 to 450 PPM of that too.

 

[ophiura]

I strongly suggest water changes over additives, especially in a nano. You can cause problems by overdosing. If it is a trace element issue, than it stands to reason it would perk up with a water change, which replaces trace elements.
What are all of your parameters, BTW?

 

[reefreak29]

if u do regular water changes u NEVER need to dose iodine. its way to easy to overdose that stuff, i would suggest just staying away from that stuff

 

[nemo_66]

give your xenia time. thats what i did, and now its strating to recover. you dont need to dose anything, and shouldn't without a test kit for it. move your xenia closer to the top with moderate flow, that where my xenia is standing tall and proud. good luck

 

[jpjae]

Thanks for the advice - I will let them be and not add anything - but I did pick up DT Phytoplankton - did I just get scammed?
Ammonia 0
Nitrates 0
Nitrites 0
Ph 8.2

 

[petjunkie]

DT's is good stuff for filter feeders, xenia doesn't need it though.

 

[nemo_66]

i wouldn't just 'let them be' exactly, i mean, they might start to become better, but i just redid my rocks and a mirical happened. i would just leave it for now, but if its like mine and doesnt open in about a month, then move it.

 

[nemo_66]

oh, and good luck, hope whatever you dicide to do will work out....