drifting refractometer worth it?

[Gravesj1s]

Well I recently had an unexplained issue with a couple colonys and at this point I think it started with a drifting refractometer.

Seriously debating weather the ones that tend to drift are worth the money at all.Seams much cheaper to just use a floating hydrometer calibrated to a standard 35ppt prepared solution.

I paid 60.00 for mine and everytime I go to use it its off.Are these things really worth the money?

 

[mr.maroonsalty]

My hydrometer got me in trouble when I went to nsw salinity because all I did to calibrate it was check it against two others of the same brand. That said, I would feel comfortable using the swing arm again knowing its calibration this time, you also need to recognize when air bubbles might be throwing off the reading. I quickly found my refractometer never reads the same after storage; considering lab grade ones cost hundreds of dollars this doesn't surprise me. I use 1.026 calibration solution every time I use it, and make a note where its at, then I bring my makeup water to that number not bothering turning any screws.

 

[Gravesj1s]

Good info salty

Im thinking more along the lines of a floating glass hydrometer
I mean it seams senseless to waste the loot on a refractometer
STarting to think it's overhype of the hobby

 

[Conesus_Kid]

If you have the refractometer, just make sure it's calibrated every so often with calibration solution (NOT RO/DI water!).

Here's an article on making your own inexpensively: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.php

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Floating glass hydrometers can be extremely accurate and reliable. I used one for years before I finally broke down and bought a refractometer. I still cross-check with both from time to time.

With any class of instrument, there's no insurance that one type or another will absolutely be better. It depends on the quality of the unit, how you use it, calibrate it, clean it, store it, and so on. I agree that this hobby has an extreme skew towards assuming refractometers are always better, which leads people into problems when they assume their refractometer will be perfect and don't bother to calibrate or care for it properly.

 

[block head]

i use both, but i don't get to worked up over "numbers" . cheapo hydrometer/thermometer floats in the sump. brs refractometer is the work horse. clibration fluid is cheap. i have never had to recalibrate in 2 years. can't say i have tremendous confidence in any reef/lab grade equiptment.

 

[Gravesj1s]

Ill rephrase a bit.

I think the issue I have is shoving out the cash for one of these and I'd really like to see a poll conducted in this forum on the accuracy and drift observed between usage.

The accuracy of any refractometer is going to be based on the solution its calibrated against anyway.I dont see the point at all.If dialed in at 35ppt for NSW salinity it seams its nomore accurate than a floating glass hydrometer calibrated in the same manner.
In Randys article (above link) he states temperature compensation has little effect on the reading so to me ,at this point I dont see anywhere the need for a refractometer and no proof at all they are anymore accurate than a cheap floating glass hydrometer.

FWIW- mine has been properly cared for as in wiped clean stored in the case, calibrated
ect..never been dropped while in my care and I bought it brand new.

 

[block head]

refractometers are sketchy. take one apart and you will see. it's basically a clear pieece of plastic held by a set screw. user error ,and questionable chinese quality also come into play. floating hydrometers pretty much rely on physics and don't have moving parts. checking them is rather difficult without a larger quanity of calibration solution. i honestly don't believe it doesn't make a huge difference . i use a couple checks and balances and shoot for .025

 

[Conesus_Kid]

Oh, I completely agree that a good floating hydrometer is head and shoulders above any refractometer, simply b/c it doesn't need to be recalibrated. Ever.

That being said, floating hydrometers are pretty fragile (not that refractometers aren't...).

It's although worth noting (for folks that may be reading this thread), that swingarm hydrometers aren't worth diddly!