Bad Hydrometers

O

outta names

New member
I went to my LFS on monday to have some water test done because I felt like something wasn't right in my tank. I do test myself but do not completely trust these things. So they did all the regular test and everything was normal, ph was a little low at 7.8 but not horrible. Then he tested my salinty 1.18!!! I was so shocked I had just tested it a couple hours earlier and is was 1.23-24. He then asked me what kind of hydrometer I had and I told him instant ocean. He told me that he and many other people he knew that used instant ocean had the same problem. He said this could be the reason was my corals were fading and purple coraline wasn't growing. Needless to say I went home and did a water change right away and am praying that this solves all my color problems.

So if you have a instant ocean hydrometer I would have it checked out for accuracy. He also took all his instant ocean hydrometers off the shelf to send back.
 
The same thing happen to me with my Hydrometer. I recommned spending the 35 dollars and getting a refractometer.

Since then I haven't had an issue. I don't have many colors but, I lost 3 fish to HIGH salinty before I caught it. I did the same thing at the Fish store...


SUCKED... I can't believe I actually directly killed my fish with too much salt :(
 
Hydrometers just plain suck. You'd be better off just sticking your finger in the tank and taste testing.
 
What did your LFS test with? A different hydrometer or refractometer.

If he tested with a different hydrometer, I would not trust it either.
 
refractometers are no more accurate than hydrometers. With a refractometer, you're betting on how well it was calibrated, which in the 35$ ones, chances are, it wasnt too well.

That being said, the swing arm hydrometers are junk. Either get a glass bulb type hydrometer, or get a refractometer, and calibrate it against a known solution.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6592247#post6592247 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
refractometers are no more accurate than hydrometers. With a refractometer, you're betting on how well it was calibrated, which in the 35$ ones, chances are, it wasnt too well.
Click to expand...
This is disturbing news.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6592247#post6592247 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
refractometers are no more accurate than hydrometers. With a refractometer, you're betting on how well it was calibrated, which in the 35$ ones, chances are, it wasnt too well.

That being said, the swing arm hydrometers are junk. Either get a glass bulb type hydrometer, or get a refractometer, and calibrate it against a known solution.
Click to expand...


Hmmm - this statement puzzles me because you calibrate them yourself with RO/DI water. At least, my $35 one was calibrated by me.
 
Not particularly disturbing, thyere generally pretty close, and they are generally very consistent, which is what matters. THe swing arms are awful because theyre not consistent.

Just buy some calibration fluid, and check it. If its off, adjust it, or compensate for how much its off.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6592247#post6592247 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
refractometers are no more accurate than hydrometers. With a refractometer, you're betting on how well it was calibrated, which in the 35$ ones, chances are, it wasnt too well.

That being said, the swing arm hydrometers are junk. Either get a glass bulb type hydrometer, or get a refractometer, and calibrate it against a known solution.
Click to expand...

Absolutely!

It kills me when people complain about a $5 plastic hydrometer. Then go out and buy a $35 refractometer and think they are getting better data because is feels more "high tech".

A excellent glass hydrometer can be purchased for the same price as a cheep refractometer (~$35 to $40) and is way better. In fact, to get a refractometer that even starts to compare to the accuracy and precision of a $40 glass hydrometer, you will have to spend over $600.
 
I have heard that the plastic swing arm Hydrometers are junk. It is funny because I see them for sale all over the place.

The glass bulb floaty things are under $10 and work quite well. It doesn't hurt to stick it in a tank that is spot on and compare readings.
 
Nabber86, which brand of glass hydrometer do you use, and is there a web page where you can buy it. I've looked around online, and only found a hagen one, which I don't really trust?
 
I was thinking of picking up a cheap refracto. If I do this and calibrate it as to the article above how would you guys rate the accuracy? I have a plasitc swing arm now.
 
Sorry one more question, I see it says to use cylinder 08-530E, do I have to use one of their cylinders? Does the wolume of water have to be precise to use the hydrometer, Can I just float it in my tank or a seperate container of water? Thanks
 
The "cylinder" is a graduated cylinder, which you dont have to have. The volume of the sample doesnt matter as long as the hydrometer can free float.
 
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