Best way to measure for the correct salinity?

[SaltwaterAdict]

What's the best way to check salinity? I have a refractometer I'm using from brs and seems like a nice piece of equipment. It's reading 1.026, while two of my hydrometers are reading 1.023. I trust it over a hydrometer any day. Is there another measure I could take to further determine if it's spot on? I heard someone mention there is a floaty device which reads salinity pretty accurate. thanks

 

[ReeferBill]

Specefic Gravity!

Specefic Gravity!

These ae called hydrometers and is what we used before the plastic floaty ones were made. They are made of glass and the whole instrument floats in the water like a glass thermometer. The downside was they were breakable, hence the plastic ones....:clown:

 

[dzhuo]

If the refractometer is properly calibrated with a 35ppt solution, I would trust it more over a hobbyist grade hydrometer. Most modern refractometers have ATC build in -- Automatic Heat Compensation -- so there is no need to worry about temperature (when you do calibration) as well.

 

[phenom5]

Get some pinpoint calibration solution for your refractometer.

 

[joeyvu]

This high grade hydrometer like the one tropic marine is very accurate
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/te...ropic-marin/tropic-marin-precision-hydrometer

 

[Pallobi]

i use a refractometer with 35ppt calibration fluid myself

 

[M007]

i use a refractometer with 35ppt calibration fluid myself

+1 best way :dance:

 

[BrassMonkey]

i use that exact tropic marine one as a backup. just bought a brs meter and liike it

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Calibrating it is key. They drift out of tolerance and need to be checked at least once a month.

 

[kaserpick]

Refractometer with 35ppt calibration solution and my TM Glass Hydrometer. My glass hydrometer has always been spot on.

 

[hk855]

Are you adjusting for temp with a hydrometer? They are usually calibrated to 70 degrees and every two or three degrees reedings need to be adjusted by .001. I've used them for 2 months straight at a job and still got confused with the adjustment from time to time. So a good refractometer is my preference.

 

[drw94]

been using refractometer until i decided all the variations were to much, so now us a Lamotte hydrometer. Refractometer always seemed a little off compared to hydrometer. I think the key is to have a few ways to measure. Looking for consistancy, rather than the exact numbers as long as they are close to what you want

 

[SaltwaterAdict]

Thanks everyone I'll look into those glass hydrometers to be sure it's spot on and for added reassurance! :thumbsup:

What do you guys think about levels of salinity for sps? Is it better to have a higher salinity rather than a lower one? I know it's best to get it in the range of 1.025-1.026, but what if mine was a little higher around 1.027-1.028? Would this be better than 1.023-1.024 per say?

 

[SaltwaterAdict]

Thanks everyone I'll look into those glass hydrometers to be sure it's spot on and for added reassurance! :thumbsup:

What do you guys think about levels of salinity for sps? Is it better to have a higher salinity rather than a lower one? I know it's best to get it in the range of 1.025-1.026, but what if mine was a little higher around 1.027-1.028? Would this be better than 1.023-1.024 per say?

Anyone know if a higher salinity is better than a lower one?