Salinity Monitor vs. Refractometer

[The Floodinator]

O.K., so I've dropped my refractometer a few times and now I'm thinkin is's probably time to get a new one OR buy a Salinity Monitor. Anybody have one? Is it superior to a refractometer?

[skydancer]

The salinity monitor is a "good guide" but should be calibrated often, where the refractometer is the "Bible".
I own one of each...

[snorvich]

I have both and use the refractometer to calibrate the salinity monitor. As skydancer says, the refractometer is the bible.

[snorvich]

skydancer, your PM mailbox is full.

[The Floodinator]

I guess it's time to buy one of each. Many thanks.

[skydancer]

Originally posted by snorvich
skydancer, your PM mailbox is full.

Thanks, got it fixed.

I'll reply shortly to your email.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Both methods are more than adequate for reef keeping. I choose to use an electronic probe due to its being more convenient in many situations, such as raising the salinity in a bag from the LFS, measuring potency of limewater, etc.


I quite disagree that refractometers are better. In fact, the only reason reefers think that are better and accurate is that few actually calibrate them correctly. Calibration with fresh water does not ensure that they are accurate for measuring salt water, and when tested, a large portion, if not a majority of those sold to reefers are rather inaccurate.

FWIW, they are harder to accurately check and calibrate than an electronic monitor for which many suppliers sell high quality standards. It is not so easy to get a standard for a refractometer.

FWIW, oceanographers do not generally use refractometers. They use electronic conductivity meters.

These articles have more:

Refractometers and Salinity Measurement
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/index.php

Temperature Corrections for Hydrometers
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-07/rhf/index.htm

Reef Aquarium Salinity: Homemade Calibration Standards
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.htm

Specific Gravity Measurement
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/1/chemistry

Using Conductivity to Measure Salinity
http://www.aquariumfish.com/aquariu...l.aspx?aid=1804

[Roland Jacques]

Randy,

This link does not work.
Using Conductivity to Measure Salinity
http://www.aquariumfish.com/aquariu...l.aspx?aid=1804

are thier better conductivity meters than others?

[SuperAWE]

Here is the link to that article:

Using Conductivity To Measure Salinity
http://www.aquariumfish.com/aquarium....aspx?aid=1804

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks, I cut and pasted the truncated link.