Buying a Refractometer

[Flipturn88]

I'm in the market for a refractometer because I don't think I can trust my little plastic salinity tester anymore.

My budget doesn't allow me to buy top-of-the-line, so how's this one: http://cgi.lycos.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2585293113&category=26237 ?

Thanks,
Kayla

[MalHavoc]

Seems reasonable, although the fact that the prism is made out of plastic worries me. You might have to be very careful with it.

[Flipturn88]

How would that be a problem? Could it run the risk of melting, cracking, or breaking?

Thanks,
Kayla

[dor]

looks good to me. I wouldn't worry about the prism it's says it nylon you'll not damage that with what you will do with it.
It's a must piece of kit IMO.
Have fun and good luck.

[bbeck]

Couldn't you scratch it with the saltwater drops? I'm looking for one now and the best value I have found at the moment is at PremiumAquatics.com

There's has a two year warranty and is priced at $59, which is ten dollars cheaper than MarineDepot for what appears to be the same product, but no mention of warranty.

HTH,

Brad

[nanocat]

I bought the same one last week. I'll let you know when it arrives (crosses fingers).

[bbeck]

Nanocat:

The one from Ebay or PremiumAquatics?

[dor]

I'd go with the one from premium it's the one I've got and it's great.
I have even taking to testing the sg of the water in the livestock bags before I start to introduce the animal in the tank, gives me an idea of the difference in sg and i then just have a aprox. workout of how long to take over the intro.
I've even noted that one lfs keeps his fish system quite low 1.022 and i run my tank at 1.025-26, big difference so whenever I want something from him I just reduce my sg to about 1.024 over a few days before and then just let come back varia evap. over next couple after getting the livestock from him. Works for me and gives me another reason to get my refractometer out, its great.:)
Buy the blue one.
Have fun.

[Scuba_Dave]

I bought a different one - blue (looks the same) a while ago & it works fine - $40
I don't know about comparing it to a $200 model

[cabenn]

sounds like the one i got for x-mas and it works fine. I like it a lot better then my floating hydrometer. The plastic shield covers the prism and you then hold it to a light source and a blue line will show up at where the salinity is. You first have to calibrate it with some RO water to make sure it is 0.00

I find myself checking my salinity more just to play with it :)

[marduc]

The same model as the one at Premium Aquatics is available here (http://www.diyreef.com/shop/index.php?cPath=21) as well, price is a tad cheaper too. :)

[JoeMag]

I bought one of those black RHS-10 ATC refractometers at CRA and it works great. The plastic feels pretty durable. I'm not worried about it.