Idea for at the meeting

[Bri Guy]

Just a suggestion, but maybe we should all bring our salinity measuring devices (hydrometers, refractometers, etc.) and test them together just to see what we all get for a reading. Maybe somebodys if off and they don't know, this would get a accurate average reading and show if somebodys was off drastically.
I use a floating hydrometer, and don't take temp into conideration, so I know my readings are not accurate, maybe this experiment would help me a little on where my readings are really at. Or help somebody else.

Also I want to get a refractometer down the road and haven't had the chance to use one (this way I could) and What is a good brand?

Just an Idea?

...and I was just curious to what everybody else used to check salinity.

 

[Hella]

That sounds like a great idea, if im there it will be with me.

Rob

 

[nellie54914]

Testing salinity, what's that?

This is what we use. Actually I use, for some reason Mike doesn't like it, he prefers to use a hydrometer (IO brand). He broke 3 of them in as many months a while back and at one point we ended up with a Deep Six brand (it was the only one at the store we were at at the time), I would definitely recommend NOT using that brand, it was way off!!

 

[Limpit]

FWIW, I did something just like you are talking about a while ago.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=517845
If I can make it to the meeting I also will bring up my refractor and if I can find them my old swing arm units.

 

[kass03]

Thats so funny cuz I was thinking about posting the same thing.
I had been reading a post about them on RC.

I always used my old IO hydrometer since IO came out with them lol.
In the post it was mentioned how do you know if refractometers are really that accurate either and Ive always wondered that also.

kass

 

[yaitisme]

Great idea Bri

I am currently using two differant Hydro's. One is cheap one I picked up at Petco ($4) that has a green band on it between 1.022 and 1.027. The other one was a bit more $$ ($6) that I purchased for homebrewing that reads SG, BRIX, and Aprox. Alcohol content. This one was has a temp. correction table and reads .002 higher (and gives me the water alcohol content, bonus!!) than the cheap-o. Since the cheap-o is consistantly inconsistant and my water temp is consistant, I use the cheap-o (with a mental off-set) as it is shorter and and looks abit more sturdy.

I also have a Refracto that I purchased for homebrewing, that reads in Brix units and has auto temp. correction. Just for ****s and grins I used it to take a SG reading in BRIX then used a BRIX/SP conversion table. Interestingly the SG matched the SG of the homebrew Hydro reading after temp correction.

 

[Bri Guy]

Hey Kass, I was reading that same post (i think) and thats how I got the Idea too!

Can't hurt anything!

 

[jmkarcz]

I own the 3 standard types:
The lever/swing arm hydrometer
The Floating style glass hydrometer
The Refractometer, the 160-180$ model.

I use the refractometer most often... I check i against the floating glass one from time to time, but almost never trust my swing arm. I attribute in some small point the renewed success I have had the last couple years to the forking out of the jack on the refractometer. However, at the time I bought it, I was very excited and when I mentioned it to that one guy. (You know the one that said bristle worms are bad and now onws his own store.) He said flat out that it was a "blatent waste of my money" and was "a way for the internet to suck my wallet dry" and that there was nothing wrong with the swing arm.

I knew then that I had made a good purchase.

Refractometers are quickly calibrated and recalibrated using distilled water, and ro water will work in a pinch, but could be off.

Jason


If any one besides Nellies husband wants to pickup any of mine for comparison at the meeting, I'll make them available... as long as you are not affiliated with "that guy" in any way... and you agree to replace the any of them if they get broke... I would cry...

Jason

 

[nellie54914]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8287731#post8287731 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmkarcz
If any one besides Nellies husband wants to pickup any of mine for comparison at the meeting, I'll make them available... as long as you are not affiliated with "that guy" in any way... and you agree to replace the any of them if they get broke... I would cry...

Jason

LOL! C'mon, he's been break free for almost a year now

 

[scooters reef]

If we make it, I'll bring my refractometer and whatever old swing arms I can find.

LOL, comparing my refracto to others even sounds easier than calibrating it.

 

[kiowascout]

Forking out of the jack??

arent there children in here?

*laughs*

 

[jmkarcz]

I cracked open the my wallet and pulled out the Jacksons..

yes, forked out the jack... Like forking the Jackson's (20 dollar bills from by wallet. (If there's something inappropriate you'll have to take me aside and pm me cuz I'm a bit niave... You prolly listened to some Paul Harvey's Rest of the Story I did not hear. )


We should be safe to talk, Jessica is on vacation.... I think we're all adults...


(just kidding Jess...)


BTW if you comparing water, someones gonna have to prep water to the correct temp, and specific gravity to start your comparison.... double check to see if you have to take in account for the elevation above sea level to be accurate....


J

 

[kiowascout]

word my brotha!

I wasnt so aware that were up on the street jive.

now slip me some skin