Hanna instruments DiST 5 conductivity tester

[Newreeflady]

Is anyone familiar with this product? hanna instruments If you click on "more information" at the right of the picture it tells you resolution, etc. I guess the DiST 6 is better (more accurate) but still not sure how accurate I need on conductivity.

I got a Portable refractometer, but am returning it because the graduations are too small (could be 1.026 or 1.027, I would never know.)

I'm not sure how this products reads, it seems like it reads in conductivity, doesn't mention salinity or specific gravity. is +- .01 accurate enough? Is there an easy conversion?

I am basically looking for another solution to measure s.g.. For now i've grabbed a $10 hydrometer, but I really don't like this thing. It's bulky and freaks out the fish when I dip it. Doesn't fit into the back compartment for a sample, so I have to dip it in the main tank. It is also subject to bubbles that cause the swing arm to float more than it should, which causes inconsistent readings. I calibrated it with the refractometer and it measures higher than actual salinity. If the water is 35ppt salinity according to the refractometer, the hydrometer reads between 37 and 38ppt.

I would love a dip stick type thing that I could just dip, gives an accurate digital reading, then I can rinse and reuse next time. Or, even better would be something like the pinpoint pH monitor that stays in the tank, but it'd have to be small.

Thanks!
angela

 

[JerseyReef]

I love using the American Pinpoint Salinity monitor, the probe uses a temperature correction factor as well and comes with a calibration solution and refills are cheap, about $2 from PA.

 

[Newreeflady]

That looks awesome... but a little out of my range at $140

The Hanna dip thing is around 60-70$, half the cost of the Pinpoint... but I don't know if it is a useful instrument for reef keeping.

thx,
angela

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

FWIW, I use conductivity when I measure salinity.

It is fairly easy to convert conductivity to salinity. I show such tables in this first article (Table 1):

Reef Aquarium Salinity: Homemade Calibration Standards
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.htm

This one may also be interesting:
Using Conductivity to Measure Salinity
http://www.aquariumfish.com/aquariumfish/detail.aspx?aid=1804


HOWEVER!!!!

These Hanna meters do not read high enough in conductivity to measure seawater salinity. You need to measure up to 53 mS/cm or higher (much more than 10,000 ppm TDS). TDS meters usually read much lower, and don't have the range to reach seawater salinity.

The Pinpoint Salinity Meter (not what they call their conductivity meter) has the right range.

 

[Newreeflady]

I may have to see if I can find the Pinpoint on sale or something, then.

Thanks
angela

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

:thumbsup:

Happy reefing.

 

[Newreeflady]

Hey Jerseyreef, apparently you're the only person on RC who has one of these... can you answer a few ??s...

Do you get funny readings if it is close to your other devices? This will go in my 12g nano, so it will probably sit right next to either the heater or the pH monitor. The heater is plugged in, the pH monitor on battery power. I don't mind running the salinity from battery, either, if that will make it more accurate.

How long have you had it? Does it stay calibrated well? How often do you have to recalibrate?

I'm really considering this now.

Thanks
Angela

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Actually, plenty of people have them, but I don't.

FWIW, I wouldn't leave it in the water 24/7.

 

[Newreeflady]

Thanks, Randy