Refractometer

[adova]

Anyone have a refractometer that I can borrow or buy near Stapleton? I just added salt to the tank, but I have no idea how much, lol...

Shawn

 

[dv3]

if you can't get one of the glass floating hydrometers they are supposed to be the next best

 

[LPS_addict]

I have used the glass floating ones and compared to my refract and was very close if not dead on. It was just a bit harder to read and you have to make sure that the tank is still enough so it doesn't bob up and down.

 

[adova]

I really wish I knew what i did with mine - probably sold it when I thought I was getting rid of everything 2 years ago. I know I can get one from eBay cheap, but I really wanted to have something this week to see how much salt i added.

I suppose I could always get a swing arm from petsmart to get close until a new one came in...

 

[rmougey]

You can always take a cup of saltwater to a nearby LFS till you get your refractometer replaced....

 

[adova]

Yea - that might be a bit time consuming to go back and forth trying to hit seawater when filling a new 300 gallon system

 

[rmougey]

Doh!! Didn't think that through very well, did I?

I've found that the good old adage of 1 cup of salt per 2 gallons of water gets me very close to 1.023. If you can't find one near you, you can always borrow mine; I'm down south at C-470 & I-25.

 

[dv3]

I really wish I knew what i did with mine - probably sold it when I thought I was getting rid of everything 2 years ago. I know I can get one from eBay cheap, but I really wanted to have something this week to see how much salt i added.

I suppose I could always get a swing arm from petsmart to get close until a new one came in...

i dont think the swing arms are as accurate as the glass ones floating ones ...and prices are about the same

 

[adova]

I am sure you are right about the accuracy - I have never seen a glass floating one, but I will check as well when I go to Petsmart...

 

[Zooid]

I can't leave mine with you since I have to mix up saltwater all the time for my larvae but if you want I can come over tomorrow with mine.
Let me know.
Gale

 

[adova]

Thanks everyone - I ended up ordering one from eBay which should be here by Friday, and until then, I got a swing arm which should get me to a cycling stage with no problems...

I am going to try to get a build thread up later today.