hydrometers

[lmh11706]

what is the most accurate hydrometer out there available to the consumer?im just not sure about these instant ocean plastic models.

 

[Marinemom]

Forget the hydrometer and go with a refractometer. Hydrometers are horribly inaccurate. A refractometer is much more reliable and you will be happier with it.

Marinemom

 

[fmuakkassa]

I second that. Get a refractometer. It is easy to use and more accurate.

 

[TKByrnes]

third on the refractometer. my io hydrometer was saying my sal was at 1.024 I was wondering why i all my fish and coral kept croaking. I went to a buddys house to have my water tested by his test kits. well the sal was 1.031 lesson learned!!!

 

[HDAlien]

Yep, a 4th agree here, get a refractometer.

HDAlien

 

[Andrew]

I use an Instant Ocean hydrometer. All hydrometers aren't the best but they get you by if you keep them clean.

 

[PoukieBear]

I just got a refractometer last week. I tested my water as soon as I got home and it was reading 25ppt!

According to the hydrometer it was 35ppt, right where it was supposed to be. WRONG!!

 

[billy_bob76114]

You can find refractometers online for a little more than a hydrometer. I say spend the extra money for the piece of mind

 

[kelly630]

Get the refractometer! I agree...they aren't that expensive...

 

[geckofrog]

Refractometers, if you are a memeber of masna.org you can get one for about $25

 

[ADA33]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8262649#post8262649 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fmuakkassa
I second that. Get a refractometer. It is easy to use and more accurate.

Ditto

 

[Steven Pro]

I found the Aquarium Systems/Marineland Labs hydrometers to be surprisingly accurate and consistent.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_3/cav3i4/hydrometers/Impressions.htm

 

[BCool]

Get a bulb type hydrometer and you will be extremely acurate. It will be more accurate and consistant that a refractometer. It doesn't need recalibration and is accurate to something like.00001.

 

[BCool]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=7360&N=2004+113761

not cheap though 25 bucks, always worked good for me.

 

[ambaratur]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8263665#post8263665 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BCool
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=7360&N=2004+113761

not cheap though 25 bucks, always worked good for me.

While I don't doubt the quality of that item - it is completely useless if you ever need to do hyposalinity treatment. The lowest SG that the instrument you linked reads is 1.018 and you need to be able to get down to 1.009 to do hypo treatments.

While hypo treatments are not required by the original poster I would not want to spend $25 on a piece of equipment that is so limiting.

 

[hypermikie]

I had always used a hydrometer (IO swingarm brand) for the past 7 years during my on again , off again reef habit.... I "seasoned" as per directions and everything! I always figured they were pretty close!

ALL that until LAST WEEK! I bought a refractometer from ebay($32 shipped). Nice heavy duty full metal body. I was keeping my salinity around 1.024/1.025 ish according to my hydrometer. Turns out I was actually at 1.029!

NO more "ish" either! Clear and easy to read right where you are! Not to mention the watery mess I always made to test with a hydrometer. Refract's just take a couple of drops!

I am now a true believer....

 

[Illuminati]

A good place to find a deal on a refractometer is getting one off someone who is leaving the hobby. Check out a local message board (craigslist) and if someone is selling a bunch of reef equipment ask if they are selling a refractometer.

Just make sure to calibrate it

 

[neotekz]

better yet spend a few more dollars and get a pinpoint salinity monitor

 

[Steven Pro]

I am just wondering. Why does everyone assume a refractometer is any more accurate than a hydrometer? Both are manufactured products. Why must one be made to a higher standard than the other?

 

[boxfishpooalot]

I found that hydrometers are too temperature sensitive and air bubbles stick to the arm making them not user friendly.