stupid hydrometer question

i have persistent problems with hydrometer readings. i put liquid in a test tube (about 1" diameter), drop the hydrometer in, and it sinks to the bottom. am i using too little liquid, and if so, how much should i use? am i making some other stupid mistake?

 

i fill the whole tube up, then put the hydrometer in, let excess spill out

 

Yeah, if you don't use enough liquid, it will sink like that and not give you a reading. What you want to do is fill the test tube up to about 1.5-2" from the top and drop the hydrometer in. It should float and give you your reading. Hope that helps.

 

got it. thank you!