Hydrometer Problems

[schnebbles]

Ok, so I got a Fluval hydrometer. I see it gets bad reviews on Amazon.

I have put plenty of salt (IO) in and it is still reading way low. about 1.019

I have it hanging in the tank right now. I'm afraid to put more salt in the tank because I don't trust this thing. I even soaked in vinegar which I read on Amazon reviews.

I have a refractometer but my eyes suck and I can't read the tiny numbers, grrr!!

What to do? I'm over an hour from a store or I'd just have them test the salinity.

Well, now that I think about it, I suppose my LFS I used to work at would have a different one sitting around and they would check it.

Should I trust this thing?

 

[Maivortex]

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.php

 

[joshbrookkate]

I've started using a milwaukee refractometer. Love it! Simple to use and easy to read. Definitely worth the extra $.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Tropic Marin still sells a hydrometer I would trust.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Take to a friend or an LFS who has a refractometer. Ask them to calibrate their refractometer and then use both their refractometer and your hydrometer to measure the same sample. Say they read 1.026 and your's reads 1.019. Put a label on yours that says "add 0.007". Then you will have a 'calibrated' hydrometer.

I did this with 2 hydrometers and my refractometer. After 4 or 5 years my hydrometers read exactly right when I compare them to a refractometer I've just calibrated. Hydrometers are not accurate, but they are VERY reliable and consistent.

 

[schnebbles]

I figured out how to read the refractometer - take out a contact lens then I can see.

I was not happy when I couldn't even read the thing! I have to calibrate it now. I guess I'll use the distilled water until I can get the calibration solution.

 

[outssider]

I guess I'll use the distilled water until I can get the calibration solution.

You do realize you could be off a bit if you do this !!

 

[schnebbles]

why will it be off? I ordered some of the calibration solution.

the instructions said to use distilled water. it's this refractometer if that makes any difference:

https://smile.amazon.com/Salinity-R...921697&sr=8-3&keywords=refractometer+salinity

 

[billdogg]

Take to a friend or an LFS who has a refractometer. Ask them to calibrate their refractometer and then use both their refractometer and your hydrometer to measure the same sample. Say they read 1.026 and your's reads 1.019. Put a label on yours that says "add 0.007". Then you will have a 'calibrated' hydrometer.

I did this with 2 hydrometers and my refractometer. After 4 or 5 years my hydrometers read exactly right when I compare them to a refractometer I've just calibrated. Hydrometers are not accurate, but they are VERY reliable and consistent.

And here we go again. Ron and I are on exactly the same page. I have two hydrometers, both approaching 30 years old. When I finally broke down and bought a refractometer about 5 years ago I found out that - gasp - one of them reads about .002 low, the other about .001 low. I still use them frequently just because they are so easy to use - dunk it in the tank, dump it, then dunk it again and read.

 

[schnebbles]

billdog - you're fairly close to me. I'm at Indian Lake.

Where do you go for your fish? I got my rock from Rivers to Reefs.