Refractometer or Hydrometer?

[rwing]

I am completely disgusted with my hydrometers. I have 2 of them and they both give me completely different readings.....and yes I am using them correctly. I have no idea what my salinity really is! I have heard guys talk about refractometers. Are they as accurate as I have heard and is there a specific brand or model that I should look for. I just want a tool that will produce accurate results....is that too much to ask for? Thanks.

 

[jmait769]

I have this one from Marine Depot. Works great and is far superior in accuracy to the hydrometer IMO. On sale this week too!



Jay

 

[JustADude]

hands down choice if you ask me, hydrometer all the way ..

 

[seagirl]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9718194#post9718194 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JustADude
hands down choice if you ask me, hydrometer all the way ..

way more inaccurate- its been proven. why do you say that, ease of use?

 

[aquarius77]

I have both and i just calibrate the hydrometer with the refractometer and then i put the refract away and i use my hydrometer.

 

[cdangel0]

I bought my refractometer 2 weeks ago. Thought I had been keeping my SG stable at 1.025 imagine my suprise when the refractometer read 1.030.

Took it to the LFS - tested with their refractometer - same result.

 

[JustADude]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9718247#post9718247 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by seagirl
way more inaccurate- its been proven. why do you say that, ease of use?

oops....lol, I ment to say refractometer :eek1:

 

[Wett Hands]

My advice is to get a refractometer and don't look back

I have used a few different ones and they all seem to be equally reliable. Check out ebay and beat the LFS prices

As far as accuracy goes... there is simply no contest, refract wins!

 

[rwing]

Thanks for the input....I think I will be making a purchase very soon!

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

A properly calibrated (with a solution, not RO/DI water) Refractometer is highly accurate and consistent.

 

[cdangel0]

Travis - I used RO/DI water to calibrate mine. Where can I get a solution?

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

You can either purchase it or you can make it yourself. You'll be surprised how much room for error there is when calibrating the refractometer with freshwater. What I thought was an inaccurate hydrometer turned out to be .001 off while my improperly calibrated refractometer was off by .006. I thought I was at 1.025 SG, but I was acually sitting at 1.019.

 

[sage_commander]

I have the tropic marin floating hydrometer. The reason I got it was for the high repeatability. Since it's a completely sealed unit and the mass isn't going to change I don't need to worry about drift or questionable readings.

Plus it was about half the price of a refractometer.

 

[cloak]

I use the glass hydrometer. As long as it's in the green it works for me.
Messed up my tank once cause I was to critical of a certain number. SG, calcium, ALK, mag, strontium, iodine etc. Once I left well enough alone things turned around.