hydrometer vs refractometer

torino06 · #1 11/14/2007, 07:17 PM

i was about to buy all my equiptment and was wondering if spending $45 on a refractometer is worth it or should i spend $8 and get the hydrometer? What do you guys think??? i imagine the refract.

MR PALM BEACH · #2 11/14/2007, 07:19 PM

Refractometer hands down. I have 2 brand new hydrometers give me your address and pay for the shipping and there yours for free.

InLimbo87 · #3 11/14/2007, 07:23 PM

Spend the extra money on the refractometer. Worth every penny considering how unreliable those hydrometers are!

0 Agios · #4 11/14/2007, 07:36 PM

Not according to RC gentleman..... if you don't calibrate your refractometers they can be way off.

James77 · #5 11/14/2007, 07:39 PM

and don't calibrate with RO water. I did so, and my salinity was over 1.032.

mg426 · #6 11/14/2007, 07:40 PM

I would agree that a refractometer is a better instrument for SG measurement than a Hydrometer. Just keep in mind that either one ideally needs to be verified as accurate at the range they are to be used at. Just (calibrating ) a refractometer with RO/DI water is not the best idea as you are only checking the far extreme of the scale @0. Get some of the Pinpoint calibration solution from www.premiumaquatics.com and you will have a known standard to campare to. 1.026

darkcirca · #7 11/14/2007, 07:42 PM

I bought the cheap refractometer from ThatPetPlace after having some major issues with calcium being off in the 500-600 range. Turns out my salinity was 1.030 (used a hydrometer), wow. Took some time to bring it down, but now the calcium is back to normal and everything is better.

With that experience, I recommend a refractometer, cheaper in the long run. I lost fish and inverts due to the high salinity. Whats $45 if you have the possibility of losing $100+ in livestock? I know the one I got came with calibration solution too.

BangkokMatt · #8 11/14/2007, 08:46 PM

Refractometer

torino06 · #9 11/14/2007, 11:34 PM

how do you calibrate these things?? will the instructions say???

Mavrk · #10 11/15/2007, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by torino06
how do you calibrate these things?? will the instructions say???

Normally they come with a little screw that you turn to make corrections. The instructions normally say to use distilled water and calibrate to 0. If you do this, then it will be off at the 35‰ range. Instead, purchase some calibration fluid such as pinpoint 53 mS standardized fluid and calibrate to 35‰. You can also mix your own, but for 5 bucks, the pinpoint fluid will last a long time (you only use a few drops each time you calibrate).

Mavrk · #11 11/15/2007, 12:04 AM

Also, be sure to purchase the ATC model (auto temperature correcting).

IPowderBlueTang · #12 11/15/2007, 12:54 AM

I use both the plastic hydrometer and Refractometer, but prefer the Refractometer for more accuracy!

Tonblogna · #13 11/15/2007, 03:40 AM

Once you have your tank established and salinity set...shouldn't it always stay the same other than very gradual changes between topping off? Do most people just use their refractometer for mixing new water? I just have one small tank so I just buy my water from the pet store. Do I need one?

scotmc · #14 11/15/2007, 08:45 AM

A refractometer is well worth the money. Not all refractometers require Pinpoint calibration solution. Milwaukee ATC 100 does not.

Jareth · #15 11/15/2007, 12:41 PM

Just got a refractometer for $20 from ebay. Took a couple of weeks of watching and bidding, so if you're patient you can get them cheaply.

Also, for calibration I plan to just take it to my LFS and ask them to calibrate it against theirs. Sure $5 is cheap, but $0 is cheaper.

dsn112 · #16 11/15/2007, 12:47 PM

None of the LFS's around me even use refractometers. Im not even sure how the know what there salinity is.