recommend a good refractometer

[geaux xman]

looking for <$50 or around there. i was starting to buy the one from marinedepot, but it had a lot of negative reviews stating the line is hard to read.

the clinical refractometer i have is reading .006 less than a calibrated salinity refractometer.

those that calibrate with just ro/di at 1.000 is okay? i see a bunch on ebay that is accurate to +/-0.001.

 

[capnfritz]

I have a marine depot refractomer and see nothing wrong with it.
As with any method I verify occasionaly with a swing arm and
recalibrate often.

 

[mak3mydae]

+1 I have the marine depot one and it works fine. I guess the only complaint about is is that you want check to see if it's calibrated correctly after each test since sometimes it may be a bit off, but i dont find that a pain at all. Even with nice refractometers, you're going to want to rinse the salt water off, so might as will check to see if it's calibrated. I would recommend it. It's cheap and does the job.

 

[HighlandReefer]

Sybon is a good cheap refractometer which many hobbyists have used successfully. Many of the refractometers sold in the hobby are actually Sybon meters with different trade names on them.

http://www.google.com/products/cata...ijE6bowAW44ZHABg&sa=title&ved=0CAcQ8wIwADgA#p

You will need to purchase a proper marine water standard to properly calibrate these refractometers. Pure water is not the proper standard which is what is provided by many of the manufacturers.

Pinpoint salinity standard is what most use.

American Marine PINPOINT™ Salinity Calibration Fluid
53.0 mS standardized fluid for calibrating the PINPOINT Salinity Monitor™ with conversion chart

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1437

I believe BRS sells their refractometer with the proper calibrating fluid. FWIW, BRS sells good equipment.

 

[HighlandReefer]

BRS' refractometer with proper salinity calibration fluid (not a bad price for both the meter and proper cal. fluid):

Refractometer for Reading Salinity w/ Free Calibration Fluid

$39.99

*** New*** FREE Salinity Calibration Fluid. Without calibrating your unit there is no way to know if the readings you are getting are correct. Refractometers are one of the best pieces of equipment an aquarist can purchase. It not only insures accurate measurements of salinity but it is also infinitely easier to use and read. This unit automatically compensates for temperature.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...eading-salinity-w-free-calibration-fluid.html

 

[danel]

+1! on BRS

That's the only one I've used and I wouldn't change it. After testing water I just use a damp cloth of ro/di to clean it. I only calibrate it once a month to make sure it's good and it never seems wrong.

 

[geaux xman]

Thanks! Just ordered the BRS' refractometer.

BRS' refractometer with proper salinity calibration fluid (not a bad price for both the meter and proper cal. fluid):

Refractometer for Reading Salinity w/ Free Calibration Fluid

$39.99

*** New*** FREE Salinity Calibration Fluid. Without calibrating your unit there is no way to know if the readings you are getting are correct. Refractometers are one of the best pieces of equipment an aquarist can purchase. It not only insures accurate measurements of salinity but it is also infinitely easier to use and read. This unit automatically compensates for temperature.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...eading-salinity-w-free-calibration-fluid.html

 

[HighlandReefer]

Your welcome.