Refractometer

F

Foody

New member
When I purchased my existing 30gal set-up 6 months ago it came with one of those plastic measurers of specific gravity, the type with a plastic swing arm in the middle. For the past 3 weeks since transferring over to my 55 I have been trying to ascertain just how much additional RO/DI water needs to be added daily to maintain my salinity. Before pulling my hair out I decided to bite the bullet and purchase a refractometer. BTW, they can be had on ebay for about half of what the LFS sells them for. What a difference! I'm surprised I haven't killed my livestock. The plastic device says just shy of 1.026 while the refractometer says just shy of 1.024. Since the beginning I have been advised to purchase the refractometer. As usual, everyone was right. :uhoh3::hammer:
 
Rate of evaporation is subject to variables and can't be estimated. Find the level in your sump that works for your skimmer and mark it. I use a piece of tape on the outside of the sump. A permanent marker would work too. Then, add RO/DI to that level mark daily or as often as you can. Of course, you still should check salinity now and then, but you'll be surprised how steady the salinity stays with this method. If you have room in your stand, consider adding an automatic top-off system.
 
+1 to ATO. I have one, and check my salinity two or three times a week and its always spot on, I am using one with a plastic swinging arm, I would venture to say that depending on which brand some are more accurate than others. I use a deepsix, what type do you have? also make sure when using this kind there are no small air bubbles on the swing arm as this will cause it to be moved up giving a higher reading.
 
Grateful, I highly recommend you ditching that swing arm and picking up a refractometer...it's one of the "must have" pieces of equipment.
 
It seems like my refractometer has been needed to be adjusted once every 3-5 days...does anyone else calibrate this often? It seems excessive to me. Any adive/tips would be appreciated. Sorry if this is a hijack....

Ben
 
EllieSuz said:
Rate of evaporation is subject to variables and can't be estimated. Find the level in your sump that works for your skimmer and mark it. I use a piece of tape on the outside of the sump. A permanent marker would work too. Then, add RO/DI to that level mark daily or as often as you can. Of course, you still should check salinity now and then, but you'll be surprised how steady the salinity stays with this method. If you have room in your stand, consider adding an automatic top-off system.
Click to expand...

Some very successful hobbyists estimate evaporation and top off with timers, then periodically adjust timers based upon sump levels. The method is less precise than an ATO (in my opinion), but. ATO''s are subject to failure and can be a disaster if they over fill a tank.

FWIW, I use an ATO
 
thanks, i'll def look into it. any special kind or brand I should consider over another? At this point though, my corals are all doing very well, my nems are super happy and I believe one is about to clone itself, my only issue is a little green hair algae and its because I was lazy, had a small rock with a little bit on there and decided it would be ok to add without pulling it off first, getting the situation under control daily with scrubbing of the rocks that are affected.
 
GratefulReef said:
thanks, i'll def look into it. any special kind or brand I should consider over another? At this point though, my corals are all doing very well, my nems are super happy and I believe one is about to clone itself, my only issue is a little green hair algae and its because I was lazy, had a small rock with a little bit on there and decided it would be ok to add without pulling it off first, getting the situation under control daily with scrubbing of the rocks that are affected.
Click to expand...

I can't recommend a brand honestly. The two I've purchased were from LFS's.
 
Regardless of what tool you use, approach it with skepticism. People in this hobby often talk about refractometers as if they are magical foolproof devices blessed by the heavens. If you don't store, calibrate, clean, and use it properly, it can and will be just as bad as any other method of determining salinity.
 
der_wille_zur_macht said:
Regardless of what tool you use, approach it with skepticism. People in this hobby often talk about refractometers as if they are magical foolproof devices blessed by the heavens. If you don't store, calibrate, clean, and use it properly, it can and will be just as bad as any other method of determining salinity.
Click to expand...

Of course....maintaining your equipment is definitely important. A maintained refractometer IS infinitely more accurate than a maintained swing arm.
 
der_wille_zur_macht said:
Regardless of what tool you use, approach it with skepticism. People in this hobby often talk about refractometers as if they are magical foolproof devices blessed by the heavens. If you don't store, calibrate, clean, and use it properly, it can and will be just as bad as any other method of determining salinity.
Click to expand...

Times 1000. I've killed fish before trusting my refractometer. I verify my calibration montly now
 
30 gallon is going to swing daily. Refractometer is going to make a difficult tank a bit easier. Both tools are dependent on a quality calibration solution. I wouldnt trust either without calibration.
 
Just a tip on calibration - Fresh water will read 1. I think the easiest way to calibrate is take it to a good store and just judge it against theirs.

I forget about calibrating mine and let it go far too long. Last time I checked it was over a year ago. It's irresponsible. When I did check it back then it was so far off it was scary.
 
You should be calibrating against a seawater standard, not against freshwater, which will put your accuracy nowhere near your target range. Calibrating against another meter, of course, relies on the other meter being accurately calibrated. Personally I don't trust accuracy on any instrument unless I calibrated it myself.
 
I'm a broke cheapskate. Not coughing up a buck or 2 for lab grade calibration fluid is foolish. Swing arms or Refractometers can't "read" they only can make comparisons against a known solution.
 
cardiffgiant said:
Some very successful hobbyists estimate evaporation and top off with timers, then periodically adjust timers based upon sump levels. The method is less precise than an ATO (in my opinion), but. ATO''s are subject to failure and can be a disaster if they over fill a tank.

FWIW, I use an ATO
Click to expand...

this is what i use, a 6 gallon bucket under my tank with a timer and a small pump that comes on for a minute a day. Works great!! Had the pump laying around already so i put it too good use. Once a week or a little more i have to top that off.

And im in the same boat i have to get a refractormeter and replace my swing arm. Any brands we should stay away from when buying one? Or what to look for when buying one or are they all the same?
 
Ok, so I read the article above and decided to make my own "standard solution" using the recipe described in the article. For what it's worth, having 26 years in the foodservice industry, my measuring devices are all professional grade. Once the solution was made I placed drops on the refractometer and it measured 1.024+. The instructions that came with the device recommended calibrating it with fresh water so I double checked it with plain water and it was dead on at 1.000. Dang... Had it worked I would have simply saved it in the recommended Coke bottle and used it for calibration. 2+ liters goes a LONG way 2 drops at a time.
 
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